The Paris Architect

By: Charles Belfoure

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Like most gentiles in Nazi-occupied Paris, architect Lucien Bernard has little empathy for the Jews. So when a wealthy industrialist offers him a large sum of money to devise secret hiding places for Jews, Lucien struggles with the choice of risking his life for a cause he doesn't really believe in. Ultimately he can't resist the challenge and begins designing expertly concealed hiding spaces—behind a painting, within a column, or inside a drainpipe—detecting possibilities invisible to the average eye. But when one of his clever hiding spaces fails horribly and the immense suffering of Jews becomes incredibly personal, he can no longer deny reality.

Written by an expert whose knowledge imbues every word, this story becomes more gripping with every life the architect tries to save.

Absolutely Wonderful!!

I couldn't stop listening to the book. I've read and listened to many Nazi-era books and find this to be one of the best. In fact, anyone who likes Sarah's Key or Those Who Saved Us will also love this one.

The premise of the book--saving Jews in architecturally designed structures--is intriguing. The author somehow balanced the horrors of the era with happiness. His characters conveyed the best and worst parts of people. Paris and all its glory played a strong part in the book.

I found the author fabulous! He added to the quality of the book do I'm glad I listened to it rather than read it. He did a great job with different genders, ages, and nationalities.

I loved this book so much that I'm sad it has ended!

Awesome book!

I loved the narrator and the plot got me on my toes! So happy I bought this book

Superb narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As an art, the narrator does many French and German voices and it was fascinating tohear one person distinguish characters not only by language, but tone, volume, pitch, pace...really fascinating and excellent for the story telling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lucien---he dared to help others

Have you listened to any of Mark Bramhall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is my first one.

Great story and great narrator!

I really didnt know how it would end. I couldn't wait to get back to it each day.

Great adventure

Story about an innocent man caught in WW2 Paris between the Nazi's and the French underground. A lot of suggestive sex and brutal graphic detail about Nazi torture made it hard to listen to but the story line was very good and the narrator was outstanding.