Through the eyes of Odile, the novel reveals life in occupied Paris and the role of the American Library during that time. Odile’s love of books allows the author to underscore the significance of the American Library’s contribution to subscribers’ and soldiers’ quality of life. The right book has the power to transport one into another world and allow one to experience events via another’s perspective. A strong woman, Odile insists on taking a job at the American Library when her parents prefer that she marry rather than work. Odile understands the importance of financial independence for a woman because she witnessed the fate of her Aunt Caro, whom her mother shunned after a divorce, and her father’s cheating on her mother. Because of those experiences, Odile is reluctant to love a man as she comes of age in occupied Paris. However, she falls in love. The author demonstrates that a woman can be strong and independent while in a loving relationship.

While a fundamentally decent person, Odile displays the human weaknesses of jealousy and anger. She recovers from her fit of jealousy with Bitsi and repairs that relationship. However, she can’t fix her relationship with Margaret, as she can’t take back the words that betrayed Margaret’s secret to Paul.