Pick up your copy at the information and reference desk. From sarahs key, to the book thief, to prisoner b3087, and now the paris architect, these historical fiction novels about the nazi occupation in wwii are moving and inspirational to read. The german attitudes and actions towards jews, in particular, but also anyone caught undermining german rule are nothing new. The paris architect by charles belfoure, paperback. The protagonist of the story lucien, who is ambivalent to the plight of jews, undergoes a transformation and ends up designing secret hide outs for jews.
The book is set in nazi occupied france and tells the story of lucien, a struggling architect, who, like many people in paris, was not all that sympathetic to the. The paris architect asks us to consider what we owe each other, and just how far well go to make things right. Ive been waiting for another book from him, but the. Fantastic book worth the listen what did you love best about the paris architect. The paris architect is a 20 novel by charles belfoure and the authors debut in fiction writing. This empowering novel is a sweet read for a book club, and is made even sweeter with a platter of honey corn bread. This months book, the paris architect will grab you from the very first page. Malcolm gladwella thrilling debut novel of world war ii paris, from an author whos been called an up and coming ken follett. The paris architect charles belfoure, 2015 sourcebooks 384 pp. This 49page guide for the paris architect by charles belfoure includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 66 chapters, as well as several more in. The paris architect reading group choices book club. It took a little time to get into it but once i was into it, i was hooked. Patsy fitzpatrick the drain pipe under the wash basin of water with the escape route leading to the garden was my favorite, because it had an escape.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The paris architect is the debut novel of american author charles belfoure. If you page back through my bets on selections, you can see many books set during this time period. Charles belfoure is the nationally bestselling author of the paris architect. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting. It is full of characters who demonstrate the spectrum of human emotion that is revealed times of political conflict.
All he has to do is design a secret hiding place for a wealthy jewish man, a space so invisible. In 1942 paris, gifted architect lucien bernard accepts a commission that will bring him a. Oct 02, 2014 this months book, the paris architect will grab you from the very first page. Malcolm gladwellan extraordinary novel about a gifted architect who reluctantly begins a secret life devising ingenious hiding places for jews in world war ii paris, from an author whos been called an up and coming ken follett. July 2014 i love wellwritten stories about world war ii. Youre ready for something thats deeper than the mariana trench. The paris architect, by charles belfoure sixty and me. Looking forward to talking about this book at book club next week. The setting of occupied paris is richly drawn as is the lure of survival. Ultimately he cant resist the challenge and begins designing expertly concealed hiding. 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. 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. Paris is under nazi control, and a palpable fear hangs in the air and seeps into the bones of its citizens.
The paris architect deals with some very serious issues and would make a great book club selection. The stunning novel of ww2 paris and the german occupation uk ed. In 1942 paris, architect lucien bernard accepts a commission that will bring him a great deal of money and maybe get him killed. The paris architect paperback carmichaels bookstore.
Review the paris architect by charles belfoure thats. Charles belfoure new york times bestselling author, architect, historian. The paris architect audiobook, by charles belfoure. Do you think history could repeat itself in todays world. The main character, lucien is a character who changes as the novel moves, but not without struggles and betrayals. Oct 01, 20 during the nazi occupation of paris, an architect devises ingenious hiding places for jews. Available at central book club in a bag book club fic bel close. Written by an architect whose knowledge imbues every page, this story becomes more gripping with every soul hidden and every life saved. Praise for the paris architect a beautiful and elegant account of an ordinary mans unexpected and reluctant descent into heroism during the second world war. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Jul 15, 2014 like most gentiles in nazioccupied paris, architect lucien bernard has little empathy for the jews. From thoughtprovoking historical fiction to chilling thrillers and cozy mysteries, find it here.
Heres a quick look at what i liked and didnt like about this book. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Available at central book club in a bag book club fic bel. Published by sourcebooks landmark, it follows the story of french architect lucien bernard, who is paid to create temporary hiding places for jews in nazioccupied paris. The paris architect by charles belfoure book club discussion. If you want a book that catches the atmosphere of occupation, danger and with rich characterization try all the light we cannot see the paris architect i had to stop give up at 100 or so pages because it was a waste of time. Nov 19, 2017 to be honest, this book never stood a chance with me. In architect belfoures fiction debut, the architectural and historical details are closely rendered, while the characters are mostly sketchy stereotypes. I started the paris architect not knowing if id like the book enough to keep reading it. The paris architect by charles defoure book club discussion. Ultimately he can t resist the challenge and begins designing expertly concealed hiding spaces. The book reached the new york times best seller list in july 2015. Life loves to get in the way of my ability to blog.
Surviving on potatoes on another planet sounds tough, but making this otherworldly app for your book club is easy as can be. The new york times bestseller a beautiful and elegant account of an ordinary mans unexpected and reluctant descent into heroism during the second world war. Oct 01, 20 the paris architect by charles belfoure is a fast moving book, that captures your attention. Why did the majority of people in france refuse to help the jews during world. The scotch plains public librarys afternoon book club will be meeting on tuesday, october 20 at 1.
The storyline was about a down and out architect, lucien bernard, who accepted a commission to create a hiding place inside a home for auguste manet during the german invasion of paris, france. Like most gentiles in nazioccupied paris, architect lucien. To be honest, this book never stood a chance with me. Like most gentiles in nazioccupied paris, architect lucien bernard has little empathy for the jews. The novel we read was the paris architect by charles belfoure. In 1942 paris, gifted architect lucien bernard accepts a commission that will bring him a great deal of money and maybe get him killed. 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 doesnt really believe.
Februarys adult book club title is the paris architect by charles belfoure. 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 doesnt really believe in. The summary didnt wow me and im not usually a fan of a male main character. I am so excited to discuss our first book club pick, the paris architect, with you this week. All he has to do is design a secret hiding place for a wealthy jewish man, a space so invisible that even the most determined german officer wont find it. As jews are rounded up read moreand murdered in the streets, most frenchman are at best seemingly indifferent to their plight. The paris architect by charles belfoure, paperback barnes. Ive read several fiction books set in the wwii time period, and i have loved each one more than the last. The paris architect by charles belfoure is a fast moving book, that captures your attention. Because when a historian me reads a fictitious account the paris architect that takes place in her field of knowledge vichy france, she is bound to be overly critical. The paris architect is a best book club book for discussion about a gentile in nazioccupied paris who devises hiding places for jews and struggles with risking his life.
The paris architect is brutal in its matteroffactness. The book is set in nazi occupied france and tells the story of lucien, a struggling. A beautiful and elegant account of an ordinary mans unexpected and reluctant descent into heroism during the second world war. Whether you are a current book club member or are looking to start a book club of your own, this is the place to go for great book recommendations your club is sure to enjoy. I was completely drawn in by the story, the characterization, and the intensity of the characters situation. The new york times bestsellera beautiful and elegant account of. The paris architect the new york times bestseller a beautiful and elegant account of an ordinary mans unexpected and reluctant descent into heroism during the second world war. An architect by profession, he graduated from the pratt institute and columbia university, and he taught at pratt as well as goucher college in baltimore, maryland. Malcolm gladwellan extraordinary novel about a gifted architect who reluctantly begins a secret life devising ingenious hiding places for jews in world war ii paris, from an author whos been called an up and. Patricia villone interviews author charles belfoure on his book the paris architect, a story on some of the moral choices made during world war ii. During the nazi occupation of paris, an architect devises ingenious hiding places for jews.
Aug 07, 2014 in addition, the publisher has a special book club makes the paris architect an even more enticing book for your next meeting. It is exciting, full of surprise and impossible to put down. Malcolm gladwell in 1942 paris, gifted architect lucien bernard accepts a commission that will bring him a great deal of moneyand maybe get him killed. As i read them, i find myself thinking about how i would have reacted during this turbulent time.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. They were all somore the drain pipe under the wash basin of water with the escape route leading to the garden was my favorite, because it had an escape. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. In addition, the publisher provides a fantastic resource for book clubs on their website. His own personal interest with historical preservation inspired a fascinating fictional book about world war ii. I found this reading guide sixteen intriguing questions. Check out tips, advice, and all the ways the library can help support your group. Interviews usa today kirkus riffle ctv news video book cover. Results 1 3 of 3 for the paris architect, charles belfoure. You need a book that will bring tears to your eyes and encourage conversation that will carry on long into the night. A novel reading group guides guide to the paris architect charles belfoures official website lit lovers guide to the paris architect. The new york times bestsellera beautiful and elegant account of an ordinary mans unexpected and. Even more exciting than that, we were able to collect.
Ive been waiting for another book from him, but the two ive seen dont interest me. This 49page guide for the paris architect by charles belfoure includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 66 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. This book traces the life of a paris architect during the german occupation. Dec 20, 20 patricia villone interviews author charles belfoure on his book the paris architect, a story on some of the moral choices made during world war ii. If you like that era and subject matter i think you will realllllly like it. Life is too short to waste time reading a boring book. Lucien bernard, an out of work architect, is no exception. The essence of this story is the triumph of love over hate, and the.
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