The Parisian Chapter

By: Janet Skeslien Charles

Narrated by: Pauline Chalamet, Jean Brassard, Corey Brill, Marisa Calin, Danny Campbell, James Fouhey, Matt Godfrey, Helen Lloyd, Jackie Sanders, Gary Tiedemann, Elizabeth Wiley, Gabra Zackman

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library and Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, a charming and cinematic novel following a young woman from Montana who takes a job in the American Library in Paris, where she discovers the power of storytelling and her own dreams.

Paris, 1995: It’s been five years since Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise arrived in Paris from their small town of Froid, Montana. Determined to establish themselves as artists—Lily, a novelist, and Mary Louise, a painter—they share a tiny walkup and survive on brie and baguettes.

When Mary Louise abruptly moves out, Lily feels alone in the city of light for the first time and must find a new way to support herself. She lands a job as a programs manager at the American Library in Paris, following in the footsteps of Odile, her beloved French neighbor in Montana who told her stories of heroic World War II librarians when Lily was growing up.

Here in the storied halls of the ALP, she meets an incredible cast of characters—her favorite author, quirky coworkers, broke students, trailing spouses, haughty trustees, and devoted volunteers—each with their own stories... and agendas. Lily often seeks solace in the Afterlife, the library’s attic that’s home to hundreds of unpublished manuscripts, and there, she discovers a box of archives that may be a link to the past: to Odile’s own Parisian chapter.

This moving, propulsive story offers a panoramic view of a real historic institution, and revisits characters from both of Janet Skeslien Charles’s beloved novels. Lily’s story is a love letter to the artist’s life, friendship, and leaving home only to find it again.

Critic reviews

"An ensemble enthusiastically depicts the American Library in Paris in this novel. Patrons and staff share their experiences, taking listeners behind the scenes of the renowned institution. Program Director Lily from Montana and her friend, Mary Louise, both portrayed by Pauline Chalamet, carry the story, including a subplot that involves a search for the long-lost friend of their elderly French neighbor, portrayed by Elizabeth Wiley...Most compelling are Lily’s library programs, which are served up with brie and wine, and Matt Godfrey’s Tolstoy, a Gulf War veteran with PTSD who is protected by everyone. Audio creates the sensation that the library’s walls are talking about its past and present."

"A delightful love letter to the glorious American Library in Paris, The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles enchants. Those who loved The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade, also by Charles, will be pleased to find continuations of their favorite characters' stories in this audiobook delight, while those who are new to Charles's work will be just as swept away by a colorful cast of characters--voiced by a talented full cast--who work, study, and volunteer in the famed library, which sits in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Listeners will love Charles's spot-on descriptions of the City of Light--from Louis Vuitton handbags to Gitanes cigarettes to the cheap Burgundy and brie on which many young expats survive. If you love Paris, don't hesitate to say "Oui oui!" to this sparkling, heartfelt ode to libraries--and to the people who make them magical." (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau)

“I loved The Parisian Chapter, the completely immersive story of a young woman working in the American Library in Paris. Actress Pauline Chalamet is an incredible narrator, and I loved falling under the spell of this cinematic story.” (Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters )

“The Parisian Chapter is feel-good escapism at its most fun. Brought to life by a strong ensemble cast and rich in French detail, this audiobook follows the ups and downs of a young American writer coming into her own in mid-90s Paris. Magnifique!” (Rebecca Hardiman, author of Good Eggs)

“The Parisian Chapter is a smart and charming story of a young American writer in France, as well as the many fascinating people she encounters as an employee at the American Library in Paris. The talented cast brings to life deep friendships, the joy of new romance, and a true appreciation for books, writers, and librarians; I could not stop listening until I reached the audiobook's perfect ending.” (Amy Poeppel, author of Small Admissions)

Sequel to The Paris Library

People upset about not understanding this characters - read The Paris Library first! A but predictable, but still good. A cozy read

Wonderful story

A bit slow girl wants to meet boy story at first, but as you discover the different characters it becomes a gem of a novel.

Not worthy…

I loved The Paris Library and the character depth of Odile. The same cannot be said for Lily who I found to be one dimension and spent much of the book whining as did quite a few other characters. The ending played out just as I expected it would.

Needed an accompanying PDF overview intro to the main characters.

While I enjoyed this listen I found keeping the multiple characters clear in mind frustrating without a list to refer to. I had tried to purchase a print or Kindle version at the same time I preordered this title and again during the listen. I had reread my print copy on The Paris Library while waiting for this title’s release knowing this was listed as book 2 in the series. I continually wanted the PDF listed in my review tile above. I did discover a PDF provided to accompany my Audible purchasing of this title. but it is a useful book group reading guide and does not address my frustration of a Character Guide.

Disappointed

This book had all the possibilities of being an interesting historical novel. What a great setting—Paris during WWII & in 1995. The story could have been about 2 women & what they did during the occupation to fight the Nazis at the American Library in Paris. Two librarians. Not this book. It is a series of short stories about the current library staff. It’s like a Hallmark movie except not at Christmas. If that’s what you want, ENJOY. If you want something with meat on it the this is not for you