Book Review: ‘Paris Echo’ Is A Look At The Past And The Present And How It Shapes Two People

An interesting novel set around two people Hannah, an American Historian in Paris researching for a book on women in World War II in France and their roles in the Nazi war. And Tariq, a young man from Morocco, who has left his country and family for the bright lights of Paris. A chance meeting between the two leads them to becoming roommates in her loft and the two of them forgiving a friendship and working on her project together.

They both end up following leads and we learn of some of the women and what they went through via archives and recordings. It leads to them finding out about how women were treated and lived and shocking secrets about what that time was like. It makes them question their lives today based on what they have learned with some surprising consequences as to how they will move forward.

It’s a look at history, friendship and potential love for Hannah with an old friend. It looks back to a dark time in the world and how people were treated and in some respects relates to home some people are still treated today. It’s also a great look at Paris and I am all in for Paris theme novels. Someday I hope to get there. In the meantime I will settle for books like Paris Echo to tell my about the famed City.

You can pick it up in stores on Tuesday, November 6th from Henry Holt.