Janet Charles weaves a powerful story in "The Paris Library". I am a fan of historical fiction and World War II is one of my favorite time periods. The author weaves the story back and forth in time from the late 1930's until the late part of the last century. The characters are strong and emotional. The main characters relate to each other thru a common love of books and learning thru the time and space of fifty years as each goes through their own traumatic and tragic times.
The author spins a tale of the past around the American library in Paris. A strong underlying part of the book is what war and survival does to the human spirit and mind. What would at once time seem inconceivable for a person one respects and loves to do becomes believable. If you love books, you love libraries and if you love libraries you will love this book.
To quote the author, "Language is a gate that we can open and close on people. The words we use shape perception, as do the books we read, the stories we tell each other, and the stories we tell ourselves."
Ms. Charles does an excellent job of weaving a story that will make you think and reflect and she hopes not on what you would have done in this situation.
Instead, Ms. Charles says, "I think a better question to ask is what can we do now to ensure that libraries and learning are accessible to all and that we treat people with dignity and compassion." A pretty good question for this time in our own history. Read this book. It is a journey.
Thanks #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.