In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.
Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.
For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.
Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.
But he hadn’t bargained on meeting a beautiful Parisian scholar who is clearly keeping as many secrets as he is. As Christian and Corinne try to discern each other’s true loyalties, forces beyond their control are making plans that could destroy everything they hold dear.
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Discussion Questions
- Christian’s father taught him that the only way to ever truly beat an enemy is to make him your friend. Historically, we see this as the way the Christian church has grown and flourished in times of persecution as well—not by overwhelming their oppressors, but by converting them through love. How does this play out in the story? Do you agree with the philosophy? Have you ever found it to be true in your own life?
- Through Corinne’s eyes, we get a peek at what life was like in Paris during those early days of the occupation. Was there anything that surprised you? Do you think you would have fled or remained behind?
- Christian and his childhood friend Erik debated whether it was better to speak out against a regime they didn’t approve of or instead work quietly to counteract them wherever they could—a decision many had to make in Nazi Germany. If you were in their place, what would you have decided? What did you think of Christian’s decisions as they came to light throughout the story?
- Though Corinne and Christian are ostensibly on very different sides, they find common ground through books, even before she realizes the truth of him. Have books ever helped you understand or connect with someone? What did you think of the progression of their friendship?
- When Christian is reunited with Felix, we see his determination to love him “now,” in whatever moments they had. How would your priorities shift if you had this constant awareness of what you could lose in the next moment? What did you think of this big revelation of what Christian was hiding?
- When Christian is walking Corinne home at night, she reflects on the beauty of the night and reminds herself to count those small, unexpected blessings. How is this especially helpful when life is challenging? Is it something you’ve made a point of doing at any point in your life? What blessings do you think Corinne and Christian clung to in the years ahead?
- Who was your favorite character? Your least favorite? Why?
- Christian found himself in a position where he believed his staying put those he loved in imminent danger. We, in retrospect, know that England would have been as safe haven, but people in 1940 truly believed it would fall within months. If you were in Christian’s position, what would you have done? What did you think of how that part of the story played out?
- After De Gaulle challenged every French citizen to resist, many found ways of doing just that, even when they had no idea what good, if any, it would do. But many more ended up embracing the “new normal” of life under Nazi rule and informing on neighbors and friends and even family in order to preserve themselves. Where do we make compromises today?
- When it comes to topics of censorship, we all tend to bristle at the thought of someone banning our books . . . but we are also often quick to wish other’s books were banned. How do we as a society decide how to handle these questions? Who should get to decide? Do the conversations had in this book help you understand your own views?