The Last Princess

by Cynthia Freeman

Lily had beauty, fortune and a wealthy fiance. Yet on the night of her wedding she threw it all away...for the love of another man.Harry Kohle was everything her parents despised- with nothing to offer but a driving ambition to write. And his undivided passion-at least for a while...From the high society of New York's Upper East Side to the corrupting glamour of Hollywood and the haunting beauty of the Israeli desert; through hardship, tragedy and the fruits of fabulous wealth-their hearts were challenged by the ultimate test...

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Chick Lit

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Beatrice Cynthia Freeman  (January 10, 1915 - October 22, 1988), pseudonym of Bea Feinberg, was an  American  novelist. She was born in  New York City, where, as a young girl, she began writing books but abandoned writing to pursue a career running an  interior decoration business. When poor health forced her to give up her business, she decided to dust off an old manuscript from childhood but discovered the cleaning lady had thrown it out. From memory, she rewrote the story.

Ms Freeman specialized in multi-generational stories of  Jewish  families, centering on a female protagonist. Her novel, "No Time For Tears," was No.10 on the list of bestselling novels in the United States for 1981 as determined by the New York Times. Her books were translated into thirty-three languages, selling more than twenty million copies worldwide.

Cynthia Freeman died of cancer in San Francisco in 1988,[1] aged 73.

Reviews

[K.G. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it takes us through the main character, Lily's, entire life: from her childhood trauma and her relationship with her parents all through her rocky adolescence and transformation into a gorgeous young woman. The way all of this molded her into the type of mother and wife she would be, and ultimately why some of her actions may have been misinterpreted, undermined, or unappreciated. When given both sides of the same relationship, we see how there errors or not one-sided necessarily but a combination of stress and misunderstanding that leads to resentment and further consequences.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance that was recommended to me by my mother from her neighbor. It was one of that neighbors favorite books. Mom read it and liked it so it was duly passed to me. I started it and wanted to keep reading and not do anything else. But, as the story progressed I got frustrated. When it ended I kinda felt cheated, like why did I read this?! The male character to me was unlikable, and I thought all the characters had their flaws that made them not as likable to the reader. I gave it 3 stars because I thought it was better than 2 stars. (I give 2 stars to books I don't like.) So 3 stars it is. Not as good as other books I gave 3 stars, mind you. I did like the book OK, it was not bad and I did want to finish it. I typically like more of a mystery with my story line, so maybe this was just not the right book for me.

The same neighbor had recommended also "Paradise" by Judith McNaught, which I did like a lot better.

I have not read any of Freeman's other work, though. Maybe it is a bit better...

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish it. I gave it a good effort, kept pushing myself through thinking it HAD to get better. But it just got worse and worse. So I finally quit, have better things to do with my time that read bad books.

The couple gave up everything in order to get married then page after page just keep screwing that up, too. And are screwing up their kids, too.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be my favorite books ever! I re-read it at least once every year.

[Cassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a teenager — I couldn’t tell you how many times I read it. A few weeks ago I spotted it at my uncle’s house; my old copy. Talk about a trip. Anyway I gave it 4 stars, one of those is for nostalgia.

The book is super sad and takes us through the span of a pretty unhappy marriage. The book is short for as much time that it covers, and I don’t think we get the full depth of characters or nearly as much l character development we should given how much time it covers. The children are pretty one dimensional and lily and Harry could be significantly better developed. Even Ellis - that poor bastard. That being said, it’s a quick read and well written.

[Jasmine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This novel is a very different kind of one. It has shown the realities of a not so happy marriage. I'm not going to elaborate more on this one cause it's definitely going to be spoiler. All I can say that the only part that I did like in the story was the first part and the last part. The last part was really a surprise for I was not really expecting that kind of ending. But All in all it was a good read but worth repeating.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying historical romance of the Depression, through the founding of Modern Israel and the glorious time for people with money that often can't buy you love. The stars aren't posting, but I give it 4*

[Tnye · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was ok but just to much detail on this that i think had no point

[Bernadette Stasiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, couldn't put down. Family saga.

[Carobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Som en prinsessa.

[Jessiaca Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was nothing remarkable about this book. Although Harry was a successful liar, the ending left a lot to be desired. It was just to read, nothing special

[Nicole Hartwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worse book ever!!!! Do not be deceived by the most amazing title ever.

[Santhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Formulaic saga in staccato narration... Yet can't help being riveted to find out how the lives of characters turned out

[Twilight · Rating 1 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a much older person, nothing about this book really captured my interest.

[Maureen Mullis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. Pure escapism. Didn't have to think too hard, just went along for the ride.

[Jennifer Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that it showed Lily’s childhood to middle age, but I felt sorry for her.

Favorite characters: Ellis and Cadeau

#teamEllis

[ANGELIA · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading more than one of Ms. Freeman's books, I can honestly say that, with one exception (and this wasn't it) she's been 100%: she's disappointed me every time!

This book should be subtitled: "Portrait of a Marriage of Two Self-Centered Whiners", because that's what Lily and Harry are, without a doubt! Never have I read such a "ME Festival:"

WHAT ABOUT ME???
YOU???? WHAT ABOUT THE WAY I FEEL???
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH!!!
YOU HAVE NO CONSIDERATION FOR ME AT ALL!!!
I HAD A CRAPPY CHILDHOOD!!!
MINE WAS NO PICNIC!!!
I HATE LIVING IN THE COUNTRY, I WANT TO MOVE TO THE CITY!!!
I HATE THE CITY; I WANT TO STAY IN OUR LOVELY COUNTRY HOUSE!!!
LOVELY???? IT'S HIDEOUS!!!
SO IS THE CITY AND I WON'T LIVE THERE!!!
WELL, I WON'T STAY HERE!!! I ONLY MOVED HERE BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO!!! SEE HOW SELF-SACRIFICING I AM!!!
I'M ONLY READY TO MOVE TO THE CITY BECAUSE YOU WANT TO!! SEE HOW SELF-SACRIFICING I CAN BE!!!
BALONEY!!! ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS YOUR CAREER!!!
WELL, ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS THE KIDS!!!
I HAVE TO, SINCE YOU JUST IGNORE ME!!!
I IGNORE YOU?????? HAH!!! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO HARDLY KNOWS I'M EVEN THERE!!!
OH, THAT'S A LAUGH!!!! I COULD STAND IN FRONT OF YOU NAKED AND YOU'D NEVER NOTICE!!!! BUT I'LL BET ELLIS DID, DIDN'T HE?????
HOW DARE YOU CHEAPEN MY FRIENDSHIP WITH ELLIS, AFTER YOU SWEATED UP THE SHEETS WITH VALERIE!!!
I NEEDED SOMEONE!!!!!!
SO DID I!!!!!!
WELL, ME...ME...ME...ME...ME!!!
WELL, I...I...I...I...I!!!

Is it any wonder their marriage went down the toilet in a flush? All they ever did was think of themselves! Even after a terrible tragedy, they only considered how it affected them, never seemed to give a thought what the other was going through, or if they did, it was soon dismissed so they could each continue their own pity party!

Meanwhile, there's the OM and OW waiting in the wings. And this book sure stereotypes them! Valeire is the conniving femme fatale who is even more self-centered than Lily and Harry (and I sure as hell didn't think that was possible), determined to get Harry naked in her bed, then later, swearing revenge when he breaks things off! Can you say: b-i-t-c-h???

As for Ellis, he's the true beta nice guy (a.k.a. boring wimp), who practically worships Lily from afar, while being the kind, supportive friend and always taking her side when she and Harry have a misunderstanding. (He could make a career of that, since it happens so often!) Even when he learns about Valerie, he keeps it from Lily so as not to hurt her, when the truth might make her fall into his arms. What a noble guy! (What a "raisin balls"!)

I stopped reading, when it got to the point where, after Lily forgives Harry for Valerie and he swears he loves only her, he then takes up with another woman and claims he loves her, not Lily!! (Self-centered and fickle, too, what a prize!! Prize JERK!!)

I knew what would come next: she'd turn to faithful doggie Ellis and FINALLY see him for the wonderful man he really is, and then he'll confess how he's always loved her, never even looked at another woman, in fact, all the times she was in bed with Harry, he contented himself with daydreams of her while he stroked his (wait a minute, does he even have one???), and now at last they'll be together!!!!!

Rather than stick around for that laugh/barf moment, I bailed!

[E Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

They say truth is stranger than fiction, so I guess we have to give fiction a pass to challenge reality sometimes. So many things in this book, just didn't seem logical.
The sudden love affair of Lily and Harry was not that out of the ordinary, but I found it a little
hard to believe that someone raised in a privileged family and then sent to school in Switzerland and a life in Parisian society would suddenly become a farmwife, an accomplished seamstress, and professional jelly and jam maker.
When Harry becomes somewhat reconciled with his parents, Lily's conveniently are killed off and no
longer relevant. Even the children, who Lily dotes on excessively, are shipped off to boarding schools, and summer camps and only reappear on the final chapters of the book. The daughter, Melissa,
has turned into an unprincipled stranger. But the elaborate plot to portray Melissa's daughter as the natural born daughter of Harry and Lily is quite unbelievable.
Harry and Lily's merry-go-round of estrangements and reuniting's got repetitive and tedious.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Princess is not about royalty, but 'the last of a rare breed' of woman - loyal, courageous and loving!! Lily has had a harsh childhood of not being worthy to her parents especially ending up the surviving child and not the son! Instead when she finally grew up it was towards a marriage of alliances instead of love!! Finally Harry Kohle caught her eye and this was a tumultuous adventure of marriage, family, literary and social careers and finally 'till death us do part'.... Life at times is never easy especially for these two lovely people! Sometimes as much as we love our children, they show their true colours and not angelic! Sometimes loving our spouse is not enough! In true fashion our author has hero-ed Lily the main female character in this story to be one - loving, courageous and loyal!

[Blanche · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a tiresome book in a variety of ways. The characters were introduced one way, and then throughout they changed their stripes to accommodate the authors next train of thought. At one point I wondered if this book was actually a few books trying to come together to be one very long and tiring book. AND I did not care for the fact that the children were dismissed and only mentioned at a climactic point in the book. I wanted to just not finish reading it many times, but I had to see how this mess ended up. And of course, there was a happy ending.

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings

I I'm the fence with this one. I realize the book.was written during a different time, when women mostly stayed home and raised children, the husbands made the living and were placed upon the marital pedestal, but still.....what a selfish, self centered man! I hate seeing women treated like that.

[Meghan Templeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I’m giving this book a four stars is for how many it broke my heart 😂. I was crying on my boyfriend lap at 2 o’clock in the morning because of some of the characters and I would do it again in a heart beat.

[Renee Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much in the beginning, I could not stop turning pages, but it was unnecessarily long and a little meandering by the end. Still, I enjoyed it enough to read more of this author's work.

[Marjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We volgen Lilly , de hoofdpersoon uit dit boek ,een groot deel van haar leven dat niet altijd rozengeur en maneschijn is

Heb dit heel lang geleden ooit gelezen en vond het een heerlijk boek en ook deze keer veel uurtjes leesplezier

[Shuhada Ramli · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fav childhood book

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very well written.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author creates characters with which most of us can identify & carries their stories from beginning to end. One of her most enjoyable books.

[Helen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, but wanted so badly for the main characters to realize how stupid they were being.

[Emily Rogo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was just okay. However it could have ended way earlier. The author used any dramatic elements to keep the story going while it could’ve ended at multiple parts in the books.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ma fille l'a choisie dans un magasin seconde main. Pas mon style habituelle mais histoire qui se lisait bien durant les vacances.