The book by Charles Belfoure titled 'The Paris Architect' is more than a
novel placed in the historical framework of a city that has inspired artistic creations for
many centuries. It is set in the Second World War yet brings a unique perspective to a
period that has often been chronicled. The author juxtaposes the fate of a city and its
community with an individual. It also addresses the issue of the responsibility of the
architectural profession while guiding the reader through the different layers of the
urban texture. Thus, it analyses the relationship between the individual and society in
the context of architecture. This essay provides a brief introduction to the novel.
Keywords: Architectural responsibility, Charles belfoure, Community, Criminal, Challenges, Duty, France, Foreigner, Fate, Historical framework, Individual, Novel, Paris, Parisienne, Perspective, Society, Stigmatisation, Urban transformation, War, World war II.
