"Last Twilight in Paris" | Reviewed by Tonya O'Connell

“Last Twilight in Paris, by Pam Jenoff, is about two women, Helaine and Louise, and a former furniture store known as Levitan. Helaine’s story begins in the 1940’s. She is a Jewish woman torn from her husband and imprisoned. Louise is a wife and mother in the 1950’s, living in Britain and trying to make peace with domestic life after serving as a Red Cross volunteer in war torn Europe.

            As a child, Helaine was very ill. Her parents kept her inside their home so she wouldn’t be exposed to germs and get ill again. Helaine’s whole world consists of her room, being with her mother, and occasionally with her father when he is able to get home from traveling with his job.

As Helaine grows up, she begins to venture outside and explore her neighborhood. War is raging in other parts of the world but has not yet come to Paris. During her walks Helaine meets the man she eventually marries. It is during this time that the Germans began infiltrating Paris. Helaine doesn’t believe they will take over Paris because the French are very patriotic and will not allow it. Much to her surprise, the Germans do invadeand Helaine is imprisoned in the store, Levitan, which is converted into a Nazi camp. Helaine must find a way to survive so she can find her husband and family.

            Louise lives in London during the 1950’s when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris. Louise is certain she has seen this necklace before when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe. The necklace could hold the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny, who died  during the war. Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, Levitan and her friend Franny’s death. Nothing is as it seems and there are forces that seem to be keeping the truth hidden.

            Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss with whom she shared a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Levitan—a once glamorous department store.

            I highly recommend “Last Twilight in Paris,” historical fiction inspired by the true story of Levitan. This book is a mystery that highlights sacrifices and resistance and the power of love to transcend even the darkest hours. The story captivates you as soon as you begin to read. You will feel each main character’s trial and triumph.

Buy the book.