Skylark, Paula McLain
Skylark, Paula McLain
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
Club: $14.99

Skylark

Author: Paula McLain

Narrator: Alexa Davalos, Michiel Huisman, Paula McLain

Unabridged: 13 hr 50 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/06/2026


Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.

1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette's efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined.

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized.

A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few—the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above—Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

About Paula McLain

Paula McLain is a bestselling American author celebrated for her immersive historical novels that bring iconic literary figures and overlooked lives vividly to the page. She is best known for The Paris Wife, her internationally acclaimed novel inspired by the life of Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway. The book became a global bestseller and introduced readers to McLain's signature ability to blend meticulous historical research with deeply human storytelling.

McLain's novels often explore love, ambition, and identity against richly rendered historical backdrops. Works such as Circling the Sun, inspired by the life of aviator and adventurer Beryl Markham, and When the Stars Go Dark, a darker, suspense-driven departure, showcase her versatility and narrative range. Across genres, McLain excels at portraying complex female protagonists navigating personal and societal constraints.

A poet and former memoirist, Paula McLain brings lyrical precision and emotional nuance to her fiction. Her storytelling resonates strongly in audiobook form, where character, voice, and atmosphere take center stage. Through her novels, McLain continues to captivate readers and listeners seeking thoughtful, emotionally resonant stories grounded in history and unforgettable characters.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Angela M on August 09, 2025

While this novel started out a little slowly , the writing is so impeccable so I just went with the pace and enjoyed Paula McClain’s wonderful storytelling . Two time lines centuries apart, it was like reading two novels with seemingly only the slightest of connection until the pieces come together......more

Goodreads review by Annette on October 23, 2025

Skylark explores timeless themes through two storylines separated by nearly three centuries. Time is an illusion - but human traits and actions transcend it, shaping lives across generations. In 1664, Alouette Voland, the daughter of a master dyer, dreams of escaping her constrained existence. One m......more

Goodreads review by Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) on December 24, 2025

"The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that tra......more

Goodreads review by Kate on July 16, 2025

There is a reason we get excited when we hear a new book is on the way from Paula McLain- we know we're in for a treat! . With her return to Paris, Paula paints the picture of two characters, Alouette in 1664, the daughter of a master dyer, and Kristoff in 1939, a medical student in the midst of Nazi......more

Goodreads review by Novel Visits on November 28, 2025

My first 2026 book and one that’s tough to put words to. It took me a long while to get into the story. With another author I might have DNF’d, but I’m glad I didn’t. The two timelines had little connection which felt strange and I thought the ending was a little sappy, though as always with McLain,......more