Charles emphasizes the significance of this resistance by highlighting the role that books play in transporting people from their own situations and engaging their empathy and minds. Odile personally delivers books to Professor Cohen. In defiance of this edict, the Library workers deliver books to the homes of Jewish subscribers. However, he forbids Jewish subscribers from entry. Fuchs, initially feared, turns out to be sympathetic to the Library. Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when America’s entry into the war becomes imminent. Rémy is wounded in the early fighting and then in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he later perishes. When war breaks out, the Nazis are soon in Paris. Professor Cohen, who is Jewish, is another who sees war coming. Odile initially blames Bitsi, Rémy’s love and her friend, for his decision but later repairs the friendship.
Among those who do is Rémy, who-to his family’s horror-joins the French army. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile.įew in Paris recognize the looming threat of war. Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. It’s a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. Odile loves her job at the Library, where she finds belonging among kindred spirits. However, her twin brother, Rémy, with whom she’s close, and Paul, her new suitor, are supportive.
Her conservative parents, especially her father, would rather Odile married than worked. Given her love of books and enchantment with the Dewey Decimal System, Odile seeks and secures a job at the American Library in Paris in the months before World War II. Profoundly influenced by her mother’s disowning of beloved Aunt Caro-who divorced for good reason-Odile is determined to not depend on men for financial security. Young Odile is independent and headstrong. The novel-a New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestseller-is one of five finalists for the 2021 American Library in Paris Book Award. Charles once worked at the American Library in Paris as a programs manager and now divides her time between Paris and Montana.
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