The Paris Architect
A Novel
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4.3 • 539 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
"A gripping page-turner...a riveting reminder of sacrifices made by history's most unlikely heroes." —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday and The Ways We Hide
An extraordinary book about a gifted architect who reluctantly begins a secret life of resistance, devising ingenious hiding places for Jews in World War II Paris.
In 1942 Paris, architect Lucien Bernard accepts a commission that will bring him a great deal of money – and maybe get him killed. All he has to do is design a secret hiding place for a Jewish man, a space so invisible that even the most determined German officer won't find it while World War II rages on. He sorely needs the money, and outwitting the Nazis who have occupied his beloved city is a challenge he can't resist.
Soon Lucien is hiding more souls and saving lives. But when one of his hideouts fails horribly, and the problem of where to conceal a Jew becomes much more personal, and he can no longer ignore what's at stake.
Book clubs will pore over the questions Charles Belfoure raises about justice, resistance, and just how far we'll go to make things right.
Also by Charles Belfoure:
The Fallen Architect
House of Thieves
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Unfolding with exquisite tension, this story about a destitute, cynical architect who transforms into an unlikely hero kept us on edge from start to finish. Living in Nazi-occupied Paris, Lucien Bernard does his best to keep his head down. But when an industrialist offers him an astounding sum of money to design and build a factory with a secret hiding place for a Jewish friend, Lucien swallows his reservations and accepts the job. Author Charles Belfoure masterfully depicts a shockingly violent era in shades of grey, blurring the lines between friends and enemies. We were emotionally wrecked by this tragic and suspenseful tale.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
How far would you go to help a stranger? What would you risk? Would you trade your life for another's in the name of what is right? Belfoure explores these questions and others in this debut novel set in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Lucien Bernard who, like the book's author, is an architect is offered a large sum of money to outsmart the Gestapo by devising unique hiding places for Jews, though he knows that anyone caught helping them will be tortured and killed by the Germans. Danger is everywhere: Lucien's mistress, Adele, a successful fashion designer, has an affair with a Gestapo colonel. Lucien's new assistant will betray him in a heartbeat. Offered a juicy German factory commission that involves working with a Nazi officer who admires architecture and art, Lucien's web weaves more complexly. And when he falls in love with Adele's assistant, rescues a child, and contacts some of the individuals he's saved, the stakes grow higher and Lucien's thoughts turn from money to vengeance. Seamlessly integrated architectural details add to the excitement. Belfoure's characters are well-rounded and intricate. Heart, reluctant heroism, and art blend together in this spine-chilling page-turner.
Customer Reviews
Surprising holocaust spy story
Capturing WW2 story of survival, deceit and love. Could not put the book down. Hard read at times fue to graphic writing of human cruelty by German military.
Entertaining and gut wrenching
I really enjoyed this book. I especially liked seeing growth in the main character, whom was not very likable for much of the book. I think the author did a good job of showing different people and the roles they chose or were forced to play during the German occupation in France.
A good read.
Great story! Enjoyed seeing the change in Lucien..