Skylark | Paula McLain

Skylark—A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel

Extended Synopsis

In Skylark, the acclaimed author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris both above and below ground. This transportive novel connects two seemingly disparate timelines, chronicling parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that intersect in surprising and deeply moving ways.

In 1664, Alouette Voland, the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances to create her own artistic masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, her desperate efforts to save him result in her own confinement within the notorious Salpêtrière asylum. Amidst the cruel captivity of thousands of women, Alouette discovers brave allies and a resilient hope for a life far bigger than the grim walls around her.

Centuries later, in 1939, Kristof Larson is a medical student embarking on his psychiatric residency in Paris. His neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family fleeing Poland. As Nazi forces occupy the city, Kristof finds himself acting as their only hope for survival, venturing into the hidden underground networks of Paris even as his work as a doctor is profoundly jeopardized.

Accolades & Key Features

• Official Selection: Featured as a GMA Book Club Pick.
• Dual-Timeline Narrative: Masterfully bridges 17th-century artistic ambition with 20th-century wartime resistance.
• Immersive Setting: Offers a spellbinding look at the hidden, underground side of Paris.

Reader Targeting

• Devoted readers of Paula McLain and fans of The Paris Wife.
• Lovers of rich, atmospheric historical fiction featuring strong, defiant protagonists.
• Readers intrigued by World War II narratives, medical history, and Parisian culture.

About the Author

Paula McLain is the New York Times bestselling author of highly acclaimed historical novels, including The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, Love and Ruin, and When the Stars Go Dark. Known for her meticulous research and deeply empathetic character portrayals, McLain continues to transport readers across eras and continents through her captivating storytelling.

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