The Paris Library: A Novel

People need to find their place in the world. They must find kindred spirits, with whom they can form a family of sorts, as well as a vocation or passion. The Dewey Decimal System classifies books by subject, and each book has a place. Human beings have a place too. The American Library in Paris attracts foreigners, including British and American citizens living abroad. It allows people who feel isolated and alone to form a community. Margaret, for example, speaks French poorly and doesn’t find a home in Paris until she visits the American Library, where English is spoken. Odile teaches Margaret the French language and gives her the tools to belong in French culture. Comprising people who are dedicated to learning and ideas, the community at the Library provides a sense of belonging and togetherness when those attributes are under threat.

Confronting loss at home and bullied by a popular girl at school, Lily is searching for her place in the world. She finds a sense of belonging with Odile, who loves learning as much as she does. Odile becomes a part of Lily’s family. Because Odile is French, Lily is curious to learn as much as possible about the language and culture. As Odile teaches Lily the language—just as she once taught Margaret—Lily becomes a Francophile and finds attachment and belonging in French culture.

Librarians place and categorize books but also help people find their place. Belonging doesn’t squelch individuality but cherishes it. People find belonging among those with similar interests and passions. Each person deserves respect and engagement. When Odile first starts working at the Library, she interviews every employee and asks about their favorite books. It doesn’t matter if the person is a bookkeeper or a reference librarian. Small acts of kindness invite individuals to belong. Lily’s decision to knock on Odile’s door for an interview likely saves Odile’s life. Once again, Odile has purpose as she finds a sense of belonging with Lily and her family. Odile’s earlier acts, encouraging Margaret to volunteer at the Library and bringing books to Professor Cohen, have major impacts whose significance is even more remarkable in the context of the barbaric opposite: The Nazis defined belonging by race and ethnicity, stripping people of all individuality and dignity—and doing so coercively. That isn’t belonging. Rather, caring individuals who support one another and choose to relate to—and learn from—one another forge a sense of belonging.

Tortured by her betrayal of Margaret, Odile spends much of her life considering herself a bad friend and feeling guilty as a result. She wears the belt that Margaret gave her as a constant reminder of her mistake. For this reason, Odile impresses upon Lily the importance of keeping the secrets of friends and treasuring her relationships with them. Odile prevents Lily from disclosing Mary Louise’s tryst with a hotel guest over the summer to her boyfriend. Nevertheless, it’s normal to be jealous of friends and to betray them at times. When Lily betrays Odile by snooping into her personal papers and suspecting Odile of being an informant, Odile initially cuts Lily from her life yet ultimately forgives Lily. Odile knows and loves Lily despite her weaknesses and mistakes. Friendship requires accepting people for who they are and forgiving them—and oneself—for being imperfect. Only when Lily betrays Odile does she forgive herself and finally shed the belt. Odile, like all the other characters, is human and therefore flawed.

The author constructs complex characters; no major character is saintly or purely evil. Dr. Fuchs, the Nazi Library Protector, warns the staff at the American Library that the Gestapo is setting traps. Felix, the Nazi guard, saves Margaret and others from certain internment at a camp. Paul, who is kind and loving toward Odile, brutalizes Margaret and lets his resentments get the better of him. Odile’s father does the work of the Nazis, investigating the truth of informants’ letters, is against Odile taking a job, and cheats on his wife. Nevertheless, he clearly loves Odile and wants the best for her. He picks her up after her first day on the job and brings her pastries. Similarly, Lily’s father is consumed with work and isn’t attuned to Lily’s dreams yet loves Lily and ultimately is proud of her accomplishments. Everyone is flawed and, for that reason, needs true friendships that embrace the good and the bad. People can’t change another person’s character to fit their ideal, as both Odile and Lily try unsuccessfully with their fathers. The only option is for people to accept and support one another.