Review: The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

384 pages, Hardcover

October 2013, Sourcebooks Landmark

Source: Sent for review by Nicole at Sourcebooks, ARC from NetGalley

Lucien is a Paris architect trying to make a living in Nazi occupied France. He is offered a job that would make him a lot of money but could also mean death. He has a hard time saying no to the money and to the challenge of making undetectable hiding places within homes for Jews.

My sister in law is an architect and my father in law studied architecture, so it has been fun reading this from somewhat of an architect's eye. Just the language used reminds me of my family as they discuss "elegant solutions" for buildings and "activating spaces".

Of course, the seriousness subject matter of the book is what really drew me in. Attempting to save the lives of people during a time when doing so would get you killed is frightening and interesting. I was totally invested in the characters, despite not really liking Lucien at the beginning. My heart pounded every time his did in fear that the Nazis were on to him.

This is a wonderful book, full of history and suspense. Quite an impressive debut novel. I look forward to reading Belfour's books to come.

For more info on the author and book visit the books  WEBSITE.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

The Paris Architect Blog Tour Schedule

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure came out today! Check out the schedule for the Blog Tour, which began yesterday, and see what fellow bloggers have to say about The Paris Architect. Look for my review on the 21st.

THE PARIS ARCHITECT

Blog Tour Schedule

10/7 - A Bookish Affair

10/8 - Bloggin Bout Books

10/9 – A Utah Mom's Life

10/10 - Poof … Books

10/11 - The Bookish Dame

10/14 - Broken Teepee

10/15 – Mina’s Bookshelf

10/16 - Great Thoughts

10/17 - Passages to the Past

10/18 – Lori’s Reading Corner

10/21 - Mari Reads

10/22 – Oh, for the Hook of a Book

10/25 - Dew on the Kudzu

10/28 - Chick Lit Plus

"The ingenious hiding spaces and the people in them infiltrated my imagination for weeks.

I dreamed about this novel." —Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of THOSE WHO SAVE US

“Belfoure’s portrayal of Vichy France is both disturbing and captivating, and his beautiful tale demonstrates that while human beings are capable of great atrocities, they have a capacity for tremendous acts of courage as well.” – Library Journal STARRED review

“Belfoure’s characters are well-rounded and intricate. Heart, reluctant heroism, and art blend together in this spine-chilling page-turner.” – Publishers Weekly

“Belfoure writes like an up-and-coming Ken Follett” – Booklist

“If you enjoy fast paced, graphic, and fascinating historical fiction, I recommend you read THE PARIS ARCHITECT.” – Erika Robuck, author ofHemingway’s Girl

“All novelists are architects. But are all architects novelists? Charles Belfoure in his impressive debut seems to have brought us the best of both worlds. Here is a novel to read alongside the latest Alan Furst. I hope there will be more.” – Alan Cheuse, NPR book commentator

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Lucien Bernard didn’t expect to join the French Resistance. It starts out as a game—an architectural puzzle. When a wealthy industrialist offers him a large sum of money to devise secret hiding places for Jews in Nazi-occupied Paris, Lucien can’t resist the challenge.

He begins a secret life, designing expertly concealed spaces invisible to the untrained eye—all while working with the Germans on the other side.

Set during the roundups and deportations of 1942, The Paris Architect (October 2013; ISBN: 9781402284311; $25.99 U.S.; Fiction; Hardcover) is a powerfully human novel of survival, self-knowledge, and the challenge of sacrifice in the midst of uncertainty and fear.

# # #

Charles Belfoure is the author of the debut novel The Paris Architect, an October Indie Next Pick and National Reading Group Month Selection. An architect by profession, he graduated from the Pratt Institute and Columbia University. His writing has appeared in the Baltimore Sun and theNew York Times. He lives in Maryland.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.