The Paris Orphan
I have no idea where to start with this book, what an intensely, powerful, beautiful, emotional and moving story that was so hard to put down, yet I read slowly and savored every word, as I journeyed through WWII with Jess and Dan, and then to 2005 where I got to know D’Arcy as she un-ravels some secrets that cause heartbreak but also opens hearts to forgiveness. Grab your Kleenexes and get ready for a life time greatest read.
Jessica May is modeling for Vogue in New York in 1942 she is a beautiful woman who is open and honest and a very talented photographer and journalist as well and gets an assignment as a photojournalist in Europe to cover the war, here she meets many other female photojournalists and the way they are treated is hard to take, but friendships and strong bonds are formed with people like Martha Gellhorn and paratrooper Dan Hallworth, who actually knows how to treat these woman that get the stories told with heartfelt emotions, Jess gets photos that will still be printed years later they are beautiful and special, she also meets a little girl Victorine who is living in a field hospital and the special bond they have is amazing and special. But emotions run high, hearts are broken and yet love survives.
In 2005 D’Arcy Hallworth daughter of Victorine, is sent to a chateau in France to gather some photos from a famous collection to bring to Australia for an exhibition, this has D’Arcy uncovering who the photographer is and discovering the link that she has to this person. The photos are opening up so many emotions for D’Arcy making her wonder about the past and what she can do try and see some things right, and there is Josh as well someone for D’Arcy to lean on.
Lester gives the reader many characters who are appealing and easy to care about, to shed tears for, but also some truly selfish characters who are coldly and calculating and behave shockingly, taking advantage of the goodness and integrity of others. Guilt and shame, but also the wish to save others from heartbreak, mean that secrets are kept and potential happy-ever-after’s not realized. And unknowing children are lovingly raised by parents not actually their own.
I don’t think I am going to forget this story for a long time to come, I am still tearing up thinking about what to write in this review, I can say that it is a book that is a must read, it really has left me speechless in its telling of a woman who was determined to be heard in times when woman weren’t heard well and the things that happened during a terrible time in history and then the love between Jess and Dan that although had so many things thrown at it did last for them both, I loved the courage and strength that was Jess and the forgiveness that was needed and given, yes this is one I highly recommend.
