Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Last Time I Saw Paris
Author: Lynn Sheene
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-24084-7
Release Date: May 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 1940's/Paris
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual/Sexual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: Mild/Moderate
Violent Content Rating: Moderate/Intense
Lynn's Website/Blog: www.lynnsheene.com
Dear Readers:
This is a fantastic tale of suspense and uncertainty in a time when you had no idea what was right around the corner.
Clara May Wagner grew up on a farm that she always wanted to get away from; she had dreams of going to New York City and finding herself a rich husband who would take care of her for the rest of her life. Her mother passed away from hard work, and she finally left the farm with the first travelling salesman who showed up.
Clara found her way to New York and, being a very smart girl, using the obituaries in the newspaper and found herself a brand new identity. Thereafter, she was known as Claire Harris - a high class socialite married to a businessman.
As she was living the lie, it didn't take long for her husband to catch on. So, leaving the glamorous life in Manhattan far behind, Claire decided to start over in France. Arriving in Paris, just as the Nazi's were 'goose-stepping' down the Champs-Elysees, Claire soon ran out of money and took a job in a flower shop.
After meeting some people in the French Resistance, Claire agrees to help them out. And, in spite of the imminent danger, she seems to love the beauty of Paris and discovers Thomas Grey - an English gentleman who is also in the Resistance.
Turning out to be extremely brave and resourceful, Claire becomes one of the most talented operatives in this small cell of Resistance workers, and her values soon change from extreme ego and self-possessed to absolutely courageous. But when a traitor appears, Claire must run away...fighting for her survival in the Nazi-occupied world.
This is a very well-written debut novel with some very difficult passages. For many readers, and I know there are a lot of you out there, The Last Time I Saw Paris will remind you of the Nazi-occupation highlighted in Casablanca, a very heart-wrenching tale.
Do yourselves a favor and pick up this book...immediately!
Until next time,
Amy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Amy know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews