The Paris Library
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The Paris Library
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Narrated by:
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Nicky Diss
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Sarah Feathers
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Esther Wane
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Janet Skeslien Charles
About this listen
In the darkness of war, the light of books...
Paris, 1939
Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and working at The American Library in Paris for the formidable Director Dorothy Reeder is all she has ever dreamed of. The Library and its thriving community of students, writers, diplomats and book lovers provide her with a safe haven. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. The Nazi 'Library Protector' changes the rules overnight, declaring a war on words and making the librarians risk their lives to do their jobs.
Under the courageous guidance of Miss Reeder, Odile and her fellow librarians defy the authorities to make sure all their subscribers, even those deemed no longer desirable, get access to books and remain part of their community, whatever the cost.
Choices as black and white as the words on a page become a murky shade of grey - choices that will put many of the wrong side of history, and the consequences of which will echo for decades to come.
The Paris Library illuminates a seldom-seen slice of history: the role of women and their fate during the war. It also recounts the consequences of unspeakable betrayal, when the people we count on for understanding and protection fail us.
©2020 Janet Skeslien Charles (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton LtdCritic Reviews
"I devoured The Paris Library in one hungry gulp...charming and moving." (Tatiana de Rosnay, author of Sarah's Key)
"An irresistible, compelling read." (Fiona Davis, author of The Chelsea Girls)
What listeners say about The Paris Library
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Isabel
- 20-12-2022
Beautiful but sad story
Another wartime tragically sad story but told beautifully - narration was faultless, and the characters were beautifully portrayed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Judith Staples
- 01-04-2021
Interesting Story
Has good characters with lots of depth. Good life lessons. Very enjoyable. worth a read.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 18-09-2022
not this library
narration was annoying especially when the whining started. story not as good as i expected.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-06-2021
What a beautiful story
Loved this book - written do beautifully - you can tell the amount of research that has gone into the history of the library.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Aline Arruda
- 28-11-2022
Loved it from beginning to end
What about! The story is very well written, with romance, thriller and suspense. Highly recommend
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-03-2022
Average
This book covered interesting topics, but the writing never really lifted off into good literature. Somewhere between a quick, easy read and a book that really draws you in on characters, plot or beautiful use of language. If you want an average read, then go for it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Carol Barnard
- 24-04-2022
Slow to start but worth staying to the end
I struggled with the story in the beginning. It seemed to go on without getting anywhere. I nearly gave up until Odile's story really started to unfold then I couldn't stop listening. It's worth seeing it through to the end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee-Ann M Kervin
- 14-01-2022
New favorite
An amazing story with a beautiful meaning and twist. This has been added to my favorites list.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Isabel Mitchell
- 12-04-2023
Interesting read but nothing special
Interesting protagonist and some historical events portrayed well. Switching perspectives wasn’t necessary, some superfluous characters. Really frustrating narration choices- characters think with an English accent but speak with a French accent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 25-06-2025
Heart wrenching
A historic story about the travesties of a family and more during the Second World War of occupied France. Just unimaginable 🙁 brilliant!
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