The Bookseller of Paris by Suzanne Kelman
The Bookseller of Paris by Suzanne Kelman
Paris, 1940: Madeline tries to scream, but she can’t breathe. A German soldier is working to free her from the rubble – but if he reaches her, he will find the books hidden beneath her clothes…
When the Germans seize Paris, its peaceful streets fill with terror overnight, and nowhere is safe. Desperate to help her friends, Parisian bookseller Madeline Valette turns her bookshop into a sanctuary for those in hiding, but she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s found out.
So when she is asked to join the Resistance and smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. And while she wants to save precious books from destruction, she also hopes her trips to Germany might help her find the last living connection she has to her beloved husband…
Because Madeline has received a letter from a German woman called Ada, the mother of her husband’s son. Facing persecution, the Jewish boy is in terrible danger. But where are they now, and can Madeline help them before it’s too late?
When Madeline finally finds Ada and the child, she realises Ada is at the mercy of a high-ranking Nazi official and both their lives are now at risk. Can Madeline get them to safety? Or will the unthinkable happen to this innocent child?
The second unputdownable novel in the Paris Sisters series, this is the story of two women’s bravery in the face of the darkness of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.
The Bookseller of Paris by Suzanne Kelman
My review
Having read book one in this series, The Last Day in Paris, (plus the prequel, Paris Orphans), it was a delight to continue reading about the courageous Valette sisters and their lives during the Occupation of Paris. What is unusual about this series, is that the events in each book take place at the same time, rather than running sequentially.
In a similar format to The Last Day in Paris, this book’s dual timeline gives us alternating chapters between Madeline’s life in Paris and Berlin, and Olivia’s in 2011. At an estate sale in Oxford, Olivia makes a shocking discovery about her family history, that takes her to Scotland and Germany as she tries to unravel her estranged grandfather’s past. Unable to ignore what she has discovered, Olivia needs something to focus on as she rebuilds her life, but her grandfather is distant and reluctant to revisit his childhood. It was easy to slip into the pages, and once again, it was the modern day unravelling of the family mystery that particularly captivated my imagination as I read. I wanted so much for Olivia and Kurt to heal their hearts, find peace and move on.
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| The Bookseller of Paris by Suzanne Kelman |
The emotional writing was engaging, and I found myself rereading the beautiful scenes between Madelaine and Jacob when they spoke about adversity giving us courage and a strength we never knew we had. The bravery and risks of the resistance fighters once again left me feeling very humble. There were many heartbreaking moments as the characters navigated difficult situations and made decisions that impacted those they loved. Be prepared to have a tissue at the ready as you near the end of this book.
If you enjoy books set during the Occupation, I can 100% recommend this series and I am already looking out for book three.
Purchase links
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Suzanne Kelman
Author Bio
Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State.
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