The Last Telegram

by Liz Trenow

The war changed everything for Lily Verner.

As the Nazis storm Europe, Lily becomes an apprentice at her family’s silk weaving factory. When they start to weave parachute silk there is no margin for one tiny fault could result in certain death for Allied soldiers.

The war also brings Stefan to a German Jewish refugee who works on the looms. As their love grows, there are suspicions someone is tampering with the silk.

Can their love survive the hardships of war? And will the Verner’s silk stand the ultimate test?

The Last Telegram is an evocative and engaging novel for fans of The Postmistress and Pam Jenoff.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Romance, War, Historical, British Literature

413 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Liz Trenow's family have been silk weavers for nearly three hundred years, and the company is one of only three still operating in the UK today, weaving for top-end fashion houses and royal commissions.

It is this remarkable silk heritage that has inspired many of Liz's four novels, including the most recent The Silk Weaver (UK pub Jan 2017) It will be published in the US as The Hidden Thread in May 2017.

It is set in London in the 1760s in the very house in which the family company began, just down the road from where the pre-eminent silk designer Anna Maria Garthwaite lived at the same time. It is the unknown early life of Anna Maria that has inspired the plot, set against the historical backdrop of racial tension and industrial unrest.

With beautiful illustrations of Anna Maria designs throughout, this will be a book to treasure.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars → An English silk factory makes for a unique setting in this lovely yet heartbreaking novel of World War II.

The main character is a young British woman named Lily whose plan to attend college in Switzerland is thwarted by the onset of the war. Instead, she begrudgingly agrees to learn silk weaving as an apprentice in her family's mill, and grows to become quite savvy in the business. Supplying parachutes to soldiers becomes their mainstay. But at what cost?

Lily learns about love and friendship, survival and consequences, and dealing with the heaviness of guilt and the lightness that comes with forgiveness.

THE LAST TELEGRAM is a gripping and emotional read. The story alternates between Lily as an old woman telling her granddaughter about her past, and her days living, working, and surviving during WWII. It was part love story and part mystery. What were the secrets from her past that caused so much grief?

This is the second book by Liz Trenow that I've greatly enjoyed. I'd definitely recommend her novels to fans of historical fiction.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

In England, just a few years prior to World War II, ambitious 18 year old Lily Verner begins working for her family's centuries old silk weaving business.
When a group of young Jewish refugee boys begin working at the silk mill, Lily falls in love with one of them.
An intelligent, dark,sultry young man named Stefan.
When her family's business begins manufacturing silk parachutes for troops, Lily makes a terrible mistake that haunts her for the decades that follow.
In an effort to find inner peace, Lily takes the necessary steps toward facing the truth, and toward finally coming to terms with her longtime guilt.
Wow what a fabulous read this was!
The Last Telegram is utterly enrapturing from the start.
The first few chapters about Lily's present-day life tease you with a premise so intriguing it will seduce you into reading the rest of the book hungrily without wanting to stop.
Lily's account of the silk weaving industry and life in England during World War II is entrancing and beautifully told,and left me reaching for a box of tissues.
You can tell the author's research and personal experience regarding the silk business is evident through her writing, which will regale those who enjoy a touch of historical fiction.
This was a heartbreaking, yet romantic and redeeming story and will likely stick in the readers mind long after Lily's story is told.
Highly recommend!

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Goodreads ratings for this book made me pick it up, but I was sorely disappointed. The only thing that kept me going was that I wanted to be able to review it after having finished it; otherwise I would have put it down after the first couple of chapters.

This book does not only have problems with lots of narration, but the plot was flimsy, the characters weakly drawn, and certain elements unbelievable. From the start I had a hard time finding it credible that the main character didn't know what a Scottish kilt was when she saw it, that her mother (the wife of the owner of a silk mill and who inherited a largish house) wouldn't have at least some help with cooking and cleaning, or that the father would want his daughter to take cooking classes.

The main character, Lily, was confusing. Simpering and apologetic around would-be rapists, yet able to tackle the tasks of running a business, we didn't ever get a feel for who she really was. Was she strong? Weak? Tragically flawed? As great as the other characters thought she was? Actually, many of the characters felt this way--the mother just a shadow in the background, Gwen one dimensional.

The old-woman-looking-back motif, while could be important for the unfolding of the story, did not add to its level of interest.

However, I did not feel that this book would have been beyond salvation had it had a decent editor and a bevy of good draft readers. The writer was not without ideas or research skills. However, the book needed more development before it went to publication. Some hard questions about the book and its characters needed to be asked and followed up on. This story was a shell that needed to be given a soul.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars: A touching tale of love and loss during World War II.

Lily is eighteen and excited to begin the next phase of her life. She has big plans to move to Geneva and attend school, but all of her dreams are crushed when the impending war creeps closer and closer to home. Her father sits her down and informs her that due to the dangers abroad she will be staying home in England for the time being. Lily will work as an apprentice in the family's historic silk mill. Soon her days are busy filled with learning everything she can about the silk industry. Lily becomes an expert weaver and finds that she actually loves working in the mill. All too soon, war erupts in England and Lily's life is forever shattered. She grows up fast, endures tragedy and loses her heart. The pressures at the mill mount as they work tirelessly to produce the perfect silk for parachutes. One error could cause a pilot his life. With her back against the wall, Lily makes a poor decision that will later come back to haunt her for the rest of her life.........
What I Liked:
*World War II is one of my favorite historic eras as I always love to see how the world was during my grandparents' youth. It never ceases to amaze me all that this generation endured with war, loss and difficult living conditions. Once again, after another gripping and informative war book, I am deeply grateful for all the sacrifice that this generation made on our behalf to ensure our freedom and way of life. If you are unfamiliar with the World War II era and would like to know more, The Last Telegram is a book I can recommend. It tells the story of a young eighteen year old girl, who like many women during that time, is forced to step into the shoes of man and run the family silk business. There is plenty of hardship, tragedy, love and loss as the war continues to ravage the world. This book brings you face to face with many of the harsh conditions that came with the war. If you love historic fiction, read this.
*Lily is an amazing young woman. The book opens with her as an eighty year old woman, who has just buried her husband. When her granddaughter uncovers an old locked suitcase buried deep within her closet, a flood of memories comes back and we learn about Lily's great love, and experience her life during the war. It is a poignant story, one that tugged at my heartstrings. Lily makes one quick decision to keep the mill churning out the silk. Her desperate choice later comes back to haunt her with heartbreaking consequences and we learn Lily's torturous secret. I absolutely loved reading Lily's story and I was once again reminded of just how courageous women were during the war years. Imagine sending your brother, husband, son or lover off to war and then waiting endless agonizing weeks for a letter saying he is safe. Hoping that the dreaded telegram never arrives at your door. These women lived with the sick fear of not knowing from day to day if their loved ones were safe. Yet, they didn't let that stop them. These remarkable women stepped up and took up the jobs that were vacated by the soldiers. The efforts of all the women during the war, later paved the way for all of us women today to enter the work force. We owe all of these women and men a huge debt. The Last Telegram brings forth the story of a couple of these courageous women.
*I especially enjoyed learning about the silk industry. My knowledge on silk production is very scant so I really liked all the information on how silk is produced. I was fascinated to learn about how some of the silk mills were contracted to churn out parachutes for the airmen. There was an exact science to the parachutes, and if it wasn't just right, pilots could die. I honestly had no idea that silk was so strong and versatile.
And The Not So Much:
*I was a bit disappointed that after all the detail and revelations of Lily's life during the war, that the book jumps ahead back to the present at the end of the war and from that point everything is quickly glossed over as to what happened to Lily in all the years after the war. I wished that there had been just a bit more on how she picked up the pieces, eventually married and had a family. I think just because I had become so invested in her character that I was sad that I didn't get the full picture on her life after. I gathered she was happy, but it doesn't really say.
*I was also frustrated that there wasn't more information on what happened to Lily's brother John and his wife Vera who was Lily's best friend. I was curious about what happened to him during the war. There are small hints here and there during the book, and I kept expecting that after the war ended I would get the full picture, but that never happens. There is only a small paragraph discussing John at the end. I don't know much about the German Prisoner of War Camps and I was hoping to learn a bit more.
*The silk mill kept producing silk after the war, and Lily's son eventually took over the business from his mother, but once again I wanted more. What happened to the silk industry after the war? Did it take a long time to recover? How has the silk industry transformed since then?
*I liked that this book featured a young lady who was a lesbian, but there isn't much detail on her life. I wondered what life was like for someone back then who was gay. I am certain that things were difficult to say the least. I had hoped that we get a bit more insight on this woman's life, but alas it doesn't happen.

The Last Telegram was a wonderful historical read that sweeps you back to England during the war years. My heart ached for the women as war ravaged through their lives, stealing their loved ones and destroying their world. I can't even imagine what it would have been like to live through the frightening bomb raids. This book brings forth the story of a young woman struggling to stay afloat during the war. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially set during World War II, I would recommend this book to you. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Favorite Quotations:
"I send up a silent prayer that she will never know the dreary fear of war, when all normal life is suspended, when the impossible becomes ordinary, when every decision seems to be a matter of life or death, when good-byes are often for good. It tends to take the shine off you."
"When Father finally persuaded me to hang up my pith helmet and join the yarn trade, I discovered it was surprisingly interesting. We all consider what we grow up with to be much more mundane than it really is."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted @Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Huw Rhys · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to learn more, in a fairly lighthearted way, about the process of making silk, then you might want to read this book.

Other than that, I can't find any compelling reasons to recommend this overly long, very predictable, pretty turgid and generally uninspiring romance.

Set in a silk factory around the Second World War, it tells the story of the Factory owner's daughter Lily and her various travails with a load of fairly undeveloped characters. The story is sadly predictable in most instances - and is overly long. It could have - and should have -finished at three or four earlier junctures. But just when you think you've escaped the drudgery, another half storyline appears.

On the up side, the writing style is pretty easy to digest for much of the book - and I did learn a lot about the silk making process. Sorry, I wish I could be more positive, but this was generally quite a superficial read.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in England during World War II, the novel tells the story of Lily, her love for Stefan, her strong love of family, and her disappointments and heartaches. Often predictable. What I particularly enjoyed was learning how silk was woven and used for parachutes. The author comes from a family of silk weavers, and she described in detail the process. Very fascinating.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in England, we follow Lily, an elderly woman having just lost her husband of fifty-five years, who now dares to allow herself to reminisce to the time when she was a young woman weaving colorful silk in her father's mill while her country was at the brink of WWII. It was an emotional time of great loss for Lily who has carried guilt for years and never disclosed any of her past life with her children or grandchildren. It's a story about independence, forbidden love, the losses of war and learning to forgive oneself of past mistakes. Most of the novel takes place in the past and once that story took off I became very absorbed in this book.

The author's family have been silk weavers for nearly 300 years and her first-hand knowledge of silk weaving is obvious as she describes the process, which is fascinating, and showed how war made a difference for owners of such companies who had to improvise to stay afloat. The element of silk production also made for a very unique plot. I knew silk was a wonderful fiber but learning how strong, fine and lustrous it is, originating from silkworms that produce it to make their cocoons, increased my respect for nature's wonders.

Lily was a complex character, both strong and vulnerable as she navigated the yearning of youth at a time of fear and uncertainty. I liked her and her family, both for how they handled situations that came up because of the war, such as taking in three Jewish German teenaged boys who had come to England's countryside for safeguarding from the Nazis. Things became complicated when England declares war with Germany and everyone is afraid of spies. This puts the boys in danger and creates heartbreak for Lily who has fallen in love with one of them.

The romance in this novel took me back to my teenage years, and my heart broke for Lily when her love became forbidden because of the circumstances caused by the war. Her mother also suffers a nervous breakdown and she finds solace with Gwen, her friend who is also the assistant weaving floor manager at the mill. Gwen is a great character, kind, hardworking, and loyal. She is also a lesbian who hopes her relationship with Lily will become more than just friends. It doesn't.

I like the way the book ends. How the new generation--Lily's granddaughter--actually helps her grandmother heal. This book is rich in bringing out the power of relationships, whether parental, filial or romantic. The author, who has transitioned from journalistic writing to fiction, has written a stunning debut novel, which I found atmospheric, emotional, and satisfying.

Note: This book includes religious expletives and 5 f-bombs. It also has some sexual content which is not too explicit.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first this book felt like a coming of age story, then it became a love story and a tale of war, prejudice, and how it can destroy people. Then it began to feel like a moral...karma gets you. Retribution. Guilt. And finally, letting go and forgiveness.

I went on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with this. As the story changed, so did my emotions. I had feelings of anger and disgust. Sometimes I hated the heroine, wanted to slap her silly, sometimes I gasped. By the end, I had tears on my cheeks.

It's a silk factory in a time of war. They make silk for parachutes. The entire factory was an educational read for me. I learned a lot and was intrigued. When they take in German refugees to help, the heroine falls in love with one, but the town begins to show animosity toward the Germans in light of the war. (WWII) Stefan is deported to prison in Australia, merely because of his nationality. Lily is forced to take over the running of the silk factory, a task she is and yet, isn't quite ready for as we see when she makes a very poor decision in a stressful moment. All the while she pines for Stefan and their moments together are all the sweeter for there being so few. Their love radiates off the page.


As a mechanic, I know how deadly some choices can be and could not forgive Lily for something she does. But can Lily forgive herself? Can she forgive herself for how she treats another woman, Gwen? Sometimes we use people and don't realize it until it's too late.

There are tons of morals within the pages. Tell your parents you love them. Don't let yourself be bullied. Take care not to use others. Make choices you know you can live with. I got a lot more than I expected. It truly surpasses majority of WWII novels I've read.

I was riveted to this book. There's forbidden love, teen angst, growing up, war, jealousy, using people, living with guilt. There's death, sadness, heartache, and joy.

Five stars. I received this from netgalley.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant story that I really enjoyed. Very well written and very hard to put down.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to start off by saying how truly stunning the cover is, it is bold, bright, colourful and eye-catching. As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb on the back I was very intrigued and keen to start on the story.

The story opens with Lily as an elderly woman, having just been through her husband’s funeral and with her children and grandchildren in her house for the wake afterwards. Lily wanders around the house that she grew up in, the house that has been her home for all of her life, and which holds so many memories. After a chat with her granddaughter, in which Lily tells her a bit about her past, we are taken back in Lily’s life to when she is a teenager. We learn that her brother John as just returned from abroad and brings news of Hitlers movements and a possible war, and we follow Lily as she reluctantly starts working in her father’s silk factory, hearing and seeing the story from her perspective.

Whilst working at the factory, her father decides to sponsor three German Jewish Refugees who have come to England to escape the terrible events happening in Germany. Kurt, Walter and Stefan become apprentices in the silk weaving business, and Lily finds herself working alongside and spending more time with Stefan. As the war comes closer, the silk factory take on a contract for weaving silk parachutes for the troops, vital in the war effort, and added pressure to the weavers as there is no room for error. The looming war also brings Stefan and Lily closer, how will their new relationship survive in a time of war, prejudice and fear?

I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. Liz Trenow has created a fantastically written story, weaving in war, family, love and loss, with issues of prejudice and secrets added to the mix. What I really enjoyed about The Last Telegram was the knowledge that was included. At the start of every chapter is a passage from Harold Verner (Lily’s father) about silk. I really liked this idea, it was so interesting to be provided with a bit more background of where silk came from and how it is used. Throughout the book, Liz effortlessly integrates facts and knowledge with a beautiful story – By the time I had finished, I felt as though I’d been around silk for a long time, I felt like I’d learnt a great amount of knowledge, and I also desperately wanted to work in a silk factory and weave this beautiful material!!!

The characters in The Last Telegram were wonderful. Lily Verner in particular was a very well written character, and I loved reading about her journey from a young girl who didn’t see a career in silk, to an elderly woman who had survived so much and lived a tremendous life. Throughout the story I really got behind Lily, I desperately wanted her to be successful in the mill, and for her and Stefan’s relationship to be acknowledged by everyone else. I LOVED Stefan and Lily’s relationship, I think they were made for each other, they had ‘true love’ and I really looked forward to reading the chapters where they were together. Another character which was also very well-written was Gwen, I enjoyed how everyone was wary of her at first but over time she became more of a friend to the family.

The Last Telegram is a brilliantly written love story during the war, incorporating family, work, war efforts and friendship. The characters in this story showed such bravery and courage and it really touched my heart. I was absolutely gripped from the first page and I must admit I shed a few tears during the story. This is a story that I’m sure will be treasured and read over and over again. Beautiful. Truly beautiful.

[Jessica J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what it is about England at wartime, but there are approximately eleventy bajillion books out there about it. For either war. Some of them are quite good, but I worry that it’s a well that’s quickly going dry. So many of the stories are starting to sound the same, and I’m finding it harder to find the ones that I genuinely like among the ones that are just treading familiar water.

So Liz Trenow surprised me with The Last Telegram, a story about a young woman working in her family’s silk factory during the war. When she graduated from high school, Lily dreamed of traveling across Europe, having adventures and meeting mysterious men. But Hitler’s rise to power and increasing uncertainty puts those dreams on hold. Instead, she goes to work as a weaver at the silk factory owned and managed by her father. When her brother John goes to fight on the Continent, Lily is promoted to assistant manager and the factory receives a high-profile contract to supply silk for military parachutes. When Lily learns about Jewish refugees coming to England, she persuades her father to hire three teenage boys at the factory.

There’s a lot going on in this book – Lily’s coming of age as she sacrifices her childish dreams to ascend in the family business, love triangles and Lily’s relationships with various factory employees, the constant presence of worry when her brother goes to fight, the fear and uncertainty that came with the Blitz, and the pressure to keep the factory up and running, producing high-quality silk with zero room for error. Liz Trenow’s family has apparently owned a silk factory for several generations, according to her author bio, so there is a lot of factual information about the process of making silk into parachutes. Trenow manages to keep it interesting, though. And that detail is ultimately very important to the story’s key turning point.

The book is framed in such a way that we begin and end with Lily as an old lady, sharing her story with her granddaughter. While that device tends to feel pretty clichéd by this point, I think that Trenow ultimately did a nice job bringing the story full-circle and providing the reader with closure. And Lily was a great character, at first a young girl who felt unjustly stifled by the simple unfairness of brewing war and, later, an increasingly confident businesswoman determined to prove herself. There’s a love story at the center of the narrative, but the main love interest never felt truly three-dimensional for me – that’s the primary reason this book fell short of a five-star read. Ultimately, Lily’s story is about the consequences of our decisions, the guilt we carry for our mistakes, and the sacrifices made by so many during such a hard time – especially the sacrifices made on the home front that history often forgets. I think this book would be an excellent choice for anyone who loves England at War books.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book review, as well as many more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (http://thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca/...)

Author: Liz Trenow
Type: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Historical Fiction (WWII)
Publisher: SourceBooks Landmark
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
First Line: "Perhaps because death leaves so little to say, funeral guests seem to take refuge in platitudes.”

Note: My sincere thanks to SourceBooks and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My Thoughts: I've mentioned before that I love reading historical fiction books that occur during WWII. It was such a tumultuous, emotional and savage time that was also accented by acts of extreme humanity and our innate desire to survive at all costs. While certain books give a very raw, and at times hard to read, view of what occurred when the Nazis tried to take over (like 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas', 'In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer' or "Stones From The River") others tend to use WWII as more of a back drop for their story.

'The Last Telegram', like 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society", used WWII as a backdrop but didn't have that raw, emotional feel that I usually associate with a story set during WWII (and during The Blitz, no less). I think that there isn't as much drama about the war in The Last Telegram because it is written in the first person. The reader only has Lily's account of what she saw of the war. Since she didn't personally witness much of the war the book felt very detached from the devastation (except in one instance). It doesn't make the war less devastating but there isn't that imminent danger, ‘edge of your seat’ quality to the book. This is not necessarily a negative but just a different kind of WWII read for me.

Something that was unique about this book were the factoids about silk production at the beginning of each chapter as well as quite a lot of detail within the chapters. While it was very informative, at times, I feel that the information given within the chapter negatively affected the pace of the book. A little bogged down in the details of silk production.

I always enjoy learning something when I read a book, especially a historical read, and this book taught me a few things. First, I was unaware of the Kinder Transport of Jewish children and found Stephan's story very interesting and heart-felt as he was forced to leave his family behind as he made his way to the safety of England. I also liked seeing how the role of women changed due to their involvement in the war.

This admittedly wasn't, for me anyway, an edge of your seat type WWII read. It has a very quiet demeanor, a slower pace and focuses more on the romance aspect rather than the combat. There are interesting characters and a few twists thrown in to make it an interesting read. One of the characters that stuck out for me was Lily, especially as she recounted her life and regrets, during WWII to her granddaughter.

Note: Fans of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society' will enjoy this read.

My Rating: 3/5 stars

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily Verner is eager to leave England for Geneva to study to become a nurse. Her plans, however, are thwarted by Hitler's invasion of Europe. Instead of heading off, she is put to work as a weaver for the family's silk business. Though reluctant at first, Lily soon starts to warm up to her new occupation. Gradually, she takes on more and more responsibility until one fateful mistake alters the course of her life.

Set in England, during WWII, this novel talks about silk manufacturing in the midst of war. Prior to reading this, I was unaware that silk had been used in the creation of parachutes (as silk was one of the most durable of fabrics). In this novel, WWII served more as a background for Lily's personal growth. I'm guessing that there is a parallel between the silk production and Lily's character development (both are delicate yet tough). We see how Lily navigates through her professional and personal struggles ( and there are quite a few). This book is also a love story. A love story in the midst of war is hardly a new concept so the author had to provide some fresh perspective or insight to make it stand out. To be fair, there was a number of surprising details but as a whole it was pretty standard. Nothing shocking or surprising happens. As far as the narrative is concerned, it's a quiet one. Which is not a bad thing, in fact that made for a sweet and fast read. Overall this was a decent book, I enjoyed it. Though, I have to say that the comparisons to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society are unwarranted. I would interested in reading another work by this author.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Telegram is a wonderful story of World War II as seen through the eyes of eighty-year-old Lily who burying her husband. As she reflects on her life, we flashback to Lily at eighteen who is planning on spending the summer in Switzerland. Her father, who owns a silk factory, informs her that she will not be going anywhere overseas because of the threat of war. Hitler has signed a pact with Russia and plans to invade Poland. Lily argues that Chamberlain is trying to resolve the conflict, but her father gives her the choice of taking a cooking class while Lily says she would rather work in the factory.

Thus, begins the background for the novel. Lily joins her father and brother in the family business. Soon the war begins and the factory starts a new line of making parachutes for the pilots. There she meets Stefan who has been sent from Hamburg on a visa.

Great detail is given of the hardships endured during the five-year period with food rationing and London being bombed. On a trip to the home office in London, Lily's father is killed, her brother enlists, and Lily takes over the running of the silk factory. The description of making silk is extraordinary and when Lily has a date with the man who orders the parachutes, she has her mother sew a beautiful from shimmering green silk.

The plot meticulously follows the lives of Lily, her family, love interest and friends during the plight of living through the war. I can truly give this book a thumbs way up.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a random find at the library, and what an excellent whim, for a change! The author’s family, says the insert at the back of the book, has been involved in silk weaving for three hundred years, and the background proves to be an important element. Taking place mainly during World War II in Great Britain, this love story was intriguing from the opening pages. The heroine’s family owns and operates a silk weaving mill, which becomes vital to the war effort as the demand for parachute silk escalates. Complications arising when Lily’s father provides a safe haven and employment for three Jewish evacuees have an unforeseen, far-reaching impact. Liz Trenow writes well, and convincingly. I was especially touched by the strength of the bond across generations. Clearly, Lily’s intrepid granddaughter has inherited her grandmother’s fierce determination, courage, and unswerving sense of loyalty. The Last Telegram found me in tears more than once, and was difficult to put down! As always, when I’ve loved a book, I’m motivated to learn about the author. Happily, the quest revealed that Liz Trenow has two more novels in the works, with publication dates scheduled in the UK. Secondly, I learned that several of the plot strains here were inspired by real life happenings, a development which enhanced my appreciation even further.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction is tricky, but Ms. Trenow does it well: no Major Historical Figures appear, so there's no implausible interaction happening. We open with Lily's husband's funeral and the cleaning out of the house (so she can give it to her son and daughter). Her niece, Emily, helps out and happens to mention that she's going the parachute jump to raise money; that plus the finding of a locked suitcase start Lily's memories of her life during World War II. During that time, her family took in three German Jewish refugees, part of the Kindertransport, and the family silk business turned from rep ties and fashionable cloth to parachute silk. We also learn about her love life, her friendships and how the war affects her family and the business.

There's nothing shocking here, nor is there anything incredibly exciting. That's not a bad thing, and the quiet nature of people going about their lives and the changes that the war brought to them (and the role of women) was appreciated. The characters were representative of a certain type and class (although there is a range of both explored) and there were few false notes in those characterizations.

ARC provided by publisher.

[Roxann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started as a story about a woman who lost her husband turned into so many different things. It was kind of like HIMYM because she goes through her past and you are guessing until the last chapter who the husband is that passed away. Surprisingly, my favorite part was that I learned so much about life in England during WWII. It was very interesting, educational, and heartwarming. I would recommend it to a history-buff or a romance reader.

[Christine Shermet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. I loved this book and was immediately engrossed in the story. This WW2 story incorporates many complex themes including ambition, duty, guilt and grief. I learned a lot about the silk industry in that time and about silk in general. The story spans a large timeframe, therefore key events in the war are described quickly but I liked how it told the story from pre-war times to post-war.

[Emma M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. Love. This. Book!!
I was engaged the entire read and Didn’t want to put the book down! The story had so many twists and turns, and I fell in love with the characters instantly.
Would highly recommend to anyone who loves romance!

[MaryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good WWII story, full of romance and intrigue. But the most fascinating and unexpected topics had to do with the history of silk and weaving, particularly as it applies to parachutes.

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining tale told in the first person by Lily Verner, starting near the end of her life and taking us back in time to just before World War II breaks out in Europe. Lily’s family has for generations owned and operated a silk weaving mill in the English countryside. With the war gearing up, their mill makes contracts with the government to weave the silk used for pilots’ parachutes. This is a war story and a love story, and both kept me turning pages well into the night. You will not be disappointed.

[BestChickLit.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something very clever and special when you read a good book in first person, from page one you become the lead character; I was Lily Verner. I was the one who fell in love with Stefan, I was the one repulsed by Robbie trying to stick his beer soaked tongue down my throat and I was the one who was devastated by the events of WW2. The story starts near the end of Lily’s life, she’s just been told by her granddaughter that she is attempting a parachute jump in the next few days, which brings a torrent of emotion and memories back to Lily and she starts to drift back to where it all began. Lily was a feisty character and knows her own mind and puts up a fight when it’s suggested she starts to work in the family silk weaving factory, on the bottom rung! She soon falls in love with silk and, more importantly, Stefan, a refugee from Germany. After some harrowing events, which I won’t spoil, she ends up running the business, just her and her best Friend Gwen.

This story is full of emotion and rings true to how difficult and oppressing World War II really was. When you start to read you are so quickly thrown back in time with a thud that you end up living every word of it yourself – I was truly touched and humbled by this beautifully written masterpiece. This book was written with true events in mind and I hope that it not the only reason for it being such a wonderful story. A true pleasure to read and I am really looking forward to Liz Trenow’s next novel; fingers crossed it has the same heart-breaking effect that this one had on me. But be warned, the last few chapters are emotional, so have the tissues on standby otherwise, like me, you’ll struggle to see the pages!

Review by Francesca Verbeeten on behalf of BestChickLit.com

[Kinjal Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book at Heathrow airport before my return flight to US & immediately bought the book. I was intrigued by the cover & brief description and haven't been able to put it down since then!
It is such a beautiful story of love, friendship, family, and hope during World War II. You can't help but fall in love with Stefan and root for their relationship to be acknowledged by everyone. I loved how her character evolved from a young girl with self-doubt to a woman capable of running her father's company with the help of Gwen (another character whose friendship and loyalty knew no bounds).
I really liked how in the beginning of each chapter, there was a little tidbit about silk and the industry.
It's a story that will always stay with you forever and make you want to read the novel again & again. Make sure to have a box of tissues ready!

o

[Amanda Zirn Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing read! I was a little weary at first because the story starts in present day, but you're quickly taken back to the 1940s. Wonderful descriptions, you heard,
felt, smelt and saw everything. Such an emotional book too, you truly felt what Lily felt, I even had to stop at points just so I wouldn't burst into tears while reading it in public. Don't let that deter you from reading it though! I've read a lot of books that take place during the WWII time period but this is definitely the best I've read in quite some time. This is one of the few books I've read that makes you truly understand what it must have felt like to live during the war, be affected by it and have the men you love be sent to the front lines to fight for it. Between what you learn about the silk, the heart-wrenching love story and the exquisite descriptions, this is a must read!

[Dinah Jefferies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it first came out and loved it. The flow of the novel is brilliant, the way your hopes are raised and dashed, the way you care about what happens to the characters, and the compelling story itself. The story starts with Lily as an old woman just after the funeral of her husband. Once her family have left her alone, the author takes us back in time, and that's when the wartime love story begins. Liz Trenow's depiction of the destruction of war is deeply moving. We care about what happens to Lily, her friends, and her family. We care about the workers at the silk factory as well as the Jewish refugees. I also learnt a great deal about silk! A fabulous read. Can't wait for Liz Trenow's next novel.

[Matthew Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Telegram is just about the closest thing to a model novel that I've come across. Beautifully crafted plot, with a very interesting main story theme.

I think good novels have an educational element, and this one offers a detailed view of the British silk industry without coming across as researched. In the author's notes at the end, she reveals that she is a descendent of a long line of silk weavers, and this accounts for the seamless way the content is woven into the story. Overall, it was a compelling read - and even a casual few minutes always seemed to turn into 'well, one more chapter, then I'll stop.'

[Francia Groman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a poignant portrayal of historical events woven into a gripping narrative. The characters are intricately developed, drawing readers into their lives and struggles. I found the writing skillfully balanced emotion and suspense, though it ventured briefly into romance novel territory. Overall this is a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction.

[Judy O'Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books l have read.
Excellently written with so much information about silk that was fascinating to learn.
Very descriptive and detailed l felt the prose took me into wartime and returned smoothly into current day.
Lily's character revealed the trials, tribulations and guilt all humans at some time in a lifetime experience, the author dealt with these in a realistic manner.
Very readable

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional read. For me personally, I loved all the background information about silk. Having recently visited a silk farm and factory, all the descriptions were very vivid for me and helped make the story all the more real.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very hard to put down.

Following the death of her husband, Lily reflects on the years prior to and during World War II, the family's silk weaving business, and a well hidden secret.
A very well written and researched story with the authors knowledge of the silk trade shown in ever chapter. I found this book very hard to put down, and cannot recommend it highly enough.