Janet Skeslien Charlesová rozdeľuje svoj čas medzi Paríž a Montanu. Jej tvorba skúma zložité vzťahy medzi láskou, manželstvom, sexom a obchodom, ako ukazuje jej debut zameraný na lukratívny biznis zoznamovacích agentúr. V ďalšom románe sa ponorila do skutočného príbehu odvážnych knihovníčok Americkej knižnice v Paríži počas druhej svetovej vojny, o ktorom sa dozvedela počas svojej práce v tejto inštitúcii. Jej písanie skúma ľudské spojenie a históriu prostredníctvom pôsobivých, skutočných udalostí.
Paríž 1939. Mladá, ambiciózna Odile Souchetová získava vysnívanú prácu v Americkej knižnici a črtá sa jej nádejný vzťah so šarmantným policajtom. Do mesta zakrátko vpochodujú nacisti a hrozí, že stratí všetko, čo jej je drahé vrátane milovanej knižnice. S priateľmi knihovníkmi využijú vlastné zbrane, knihy, a postavia sa im na odpor. Po skončení vojny však miesto oslavy slobody okúsi Odile trpkosť neodpustiteľnej zrady.
Rok 1984. Študentku Lily v montanskom malomeste zaujme postaršia osamelá suseda, celkom odlišná od miestnych obyvateľov. Čím viac sa dozvedá o jej minulosti, tým viac ju prekvapuje, že ich spája nielen láska k jazyku, podobné túžby či dokonca sklon k závisti, ale aj dávne temné tajomstvo.
Silný príbeh motivovaný reálnymi udalosťami ukazuje, aké nedozerné dôsledky majú naše rozhodnutia a že človeka určujú jeho vzťahy – k rodine, známym, no i k spisovateľom. Je to príbeh o láske, priateľstve a moci literatúry spájať ľudí dobrej vôle.
The New York Times bestselling author of the The Paris Library returns with a
powerful, moving new novel based on the extraordinary true story of Jessie
Carson, the American librarian determined to bring books to the children of
war-torn France.'This is hands down my book of 2024. A rich, glorious life-
affirming ode to the power of books and female solidarity. Simply
unforgettable!' KATE THOMPSON'A wonderful story about the power books have not
only to inspire, but also to rescue and restore. The characters are so richly
drawn... I absolutely loved it' RUTH HOGAN------------------------Under what
was left of the roof of the ruined cottage, a girl with pigtails perched on a
pile of rubble, hunched over a book...1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie
Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for
the American Committee for Devastated France, a group of women determined to
rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front. Upon arrival,
Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen -
children's libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the
first French female librarians. Then she disappears.1987: When NYPL librarian
and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to
Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. In
her obsession, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in
common than their work at New York's famed library, but she has no idea their
paths will converge in surprising ways across time. Published under the title
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade in the US 'An astonishing novel with the beating
heart of courageous women who change the world through books. For every reader
who was once told to get their head out of the clouds because they read too
many books, this one is for you... A moving novel of sacrifice, heroism, and
inspired storytelling immersed in the power of books to change our lives'
PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY'Bursting with remarkable characters and filled with
heart-in-mouth moments... an enthralling, emotional story rich in historical
detail. Janet Skeslien Charles has done real justice to the legacy of these
courageous women; this wonderful book is a gift to the reader' LIESE
O'HALLORAN SCHWARZ'Bibliophiles are in for a treat' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'I found
myself captivated by this eye-opening book and reminder of the good that comes
from dedicated hard work. I am grateful to Janet Skeslien Charles for
educating me about the remarkable women of CARD' Goodreads reviewer 'I love
books about libraries and books. The fact that this book is actually based off
of real people is amazing. This book celebrates the contributions that these
women made when they are usually swept under the rug. I loved Jessie so much,
and I will be thinking of these brave women for a long time to come' Goodreads
reviewer
In Odessa, Ukraine, Daria, a whip-smart engineer, spends her days underemployed as a secretary - a job she was lucky to get in this rotten economy. She spends her evenings moonlighting as an interpreter at an agency that matches lonely American men with beautiful-but-broke Ukrainian women. She spends her nights wondering if there is more. When an American client offers marriage and a one-way ticket out of poverty, Daria jumps at the chance.
An inspiring and uplifting novel of courage based on the true story of Jessie
Carson, the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France,
from the author of The Paris Library.
