Review of 'The Last Day in Paris' by Suzanne Kelman

Review of 'The Last Day in Paris' by Suzanne Kelman

Release date: February 29th, 2024

Publisher: Bookouture

REVIEW

Once again, another riveting read from Suzanne Kelman! Once I started I could not put this book down and found myself lost in the lives of these remarkable characters that reached into my heart and pulled every emotional string imaginable. There is so much suffering and fear on these pages that it left me in tears. It was easy to see every perspective and feel the tension in numerous scenes. The chapters were well executed in length and content. Enough to provide bursts of the plot that kept me on the edge of my seat with expectation and holding my breath at times.

Suzanne continues to carve some deep marks into my heart with her fiction and this latest offering was no exception. The Last Day in Paris is guaranteed to make you cry as it did me. Suzanne creates haunting atmosphere and stunning visuals with her descriptions and I was transported completely into the middle of the dramas and locations. I could feel the pain of the victims and agonise with them. When Brigitte is faced with making the hardest decision imaginable, I could sympathise. Her choice to send her child away is a tough one—even if it is to keep Sophie safe.

It was traumatic to watch Brigitte lose her husband and Sophie, her father. I don’t think that image will ever leave my mind. Their happy family outing turns into a disaster when the Gestapo arrive to capture Brigitte’s husband, Samuel. He is painting one of his gorgeous scenes when they arrive and so engrossed in his artistic activity that the sense of imminent danger is muted in him. When he is accused of being involved with the Resistance, we know the outcome will be bad.

When Brigitte (a Jew) goes to work at the Louvre (with falsified identity papers) she is on a mission to save her husband’s painting before the Nazis get their hands on it. She develops a strong bond with Isabelle, the curator, who is also helping the Resistance to save as many pieces of art as possible. Things begin to turn quickly as the Nazis take over. Brigitte’s time to save her daughter and mother and her husband’s artwork is limited. She must work quickly with Isabelle’s help. They encounter some obstacles and dire events begin to happen. Not only are they up against the Nazis stealing and destroying precious artwork, but there’s a thief and traitor in their midst.

I thought the beautiful fairy-tale that Samuel shared with his daughter, Sophie, spoke volumes of their circumstance as he was trying to express the fear, hurt and danger brought into their lives by the Nazis. As he said, … ‘an ogre stormed into the land with anger and words that threatened to weaken even the bravest hearts. A creature who believed that only those who looked and acted like him were important, and was cruel to people who were different.’ Samuel continues his tale on a positive note, though, telling Sophie that one day the ogre will leave because the love they all share is stronger than his hate. Samuel also leaves his daughter with nuggets of wisdom: that no matter what the world says, she is special, worthy and loved as she is. Also, like the girl in his story, she has courage.

The eternal love of Brigitte and Samuel (even after he is gone) is profoundly present throughout the story. But not without its connection to a special painting by Samuel, The Hayfields of Summer, that he felt reflected his heart the most. Its “brushstrokes (are) alive with his dreams and visions...” And when this valuable piece comes under threat, Brigitte sacrifices everything to save it. She wants to preserve this last piece of him—a reminder of his love and talent to be passed down to their daughter and future generations.

In the future, we meet Sophie’s daughter, Esther, who has two boys. While trying to survive the trauma of a recent divorce, she is contacted about a painting of value that now belongs to her—found in a house that her grandparents once lived. Her mother is alive but suffers Alzheimer’s making it difficult to ask about family. Esther seeks answers and must make a journey to Paris, yet what she finds there not only is a bridge to her family’s past but also a glimpse of her future. I enjoyed this part of the story just as much as the historical thread as it is all part of the big picture of this family from WW2 to modern day.

The importance of art, the power of love, the eternal link to family and heritage are big messages in The Last Day in Paris. From these topics spring courage, resistance, survival, endurance and fresh starts. These characters shine with heart, substance and fortitude when everything is against them. It’s a tragic but triumphant story, beautifully delivered that WW2 fiction lovers must read. But keep the tissues close. There’ll be lots of tears! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.