Summary

Chapter One: Odile opens in Paris, February 1939 as the narrator, Odile, reviews information for her interview at the American Library. She talks about her favorite part of the library known as the Dewey Decimal system started in 1873 and allows people to find anything. Odile travels from the factory district to the library and finds a book for her brother before meeting the Directress, Miss Reeder. Odile says her favorite author is Dostoevsky, and Miss Reeder is happy as Odile responds truthfully. However, when Odile hesitates to say why she wants to work at the library, Miss Reeder sends her away, disappointed. She runs into Professor Cohen who encourages Odile to send Miss Reeder a well thought out thank you note. Odile writes about her Aunt Caroline who cultivated Odile’s love of the library and Odile feels close to her when she is...