The Last Woman of Warsaw

by Judy Batalion

A debut novel by the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Light of Days, following two very different Jewish women in Warsaw in the late 1930s as they unexpectedly come together in their search for love, meaning, and a sense of home, and as they grapple with the storm clouds gathering around them

1938: Fanny Zelshinsky is a sophisticated, modern daughter of the city’s Jewish elite who wants nothing more than to be recognized as a legitimate artist by her family, her radical professor whom she idolizes, and the world at large. And all while she wonders if she is really going to go through with her wedding.

Meanwhile, Zosia Dror has left behind her small northeastern shtetl and religious family in the wake of violence. Part of a budding youth movement that believes in social equality and creating a Jewish homeland, all she wants is to not get distracted by the glitz and hubbub of the city—or by the keen eyes of a certain tall, handsome comrade.

When legendary artist Wanda Petrovsky—both a member of Zosia’s movement leadership and Fanny’s beloved photography professor—goes missing, the two young women are thrown together in the pursuit of the elusive firebrand. Is Wanda simply hiding, or is her disappearance connected to the rise in antisemitic laws and university practices? Fanny and Zosia may be the most unlikely of allies, but they must bridge their differences to help someone they both care for—and dodge the danger mounting around them in the process.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Poland, Jewish, World War II, Wwii Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

I love talking with readers - find me now on Skolay: skolay.com/writers/judy-batalion

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting historical novel set in Warsaw in 1938 and 1939. The main characters are Zosia and Fanny, two young Jewish women, who find themselves in the middle of the Jewish resistance against the anti Jewish sentiments of their non-Jewish neighbors and the Nazis who are slowly invading Polish society. Zosia is a country girl, whose small town was subjected to a pogrom and wants nothing more than to get a visa to leave Poland for the Jewish state. Fanny is from a wealthy family who has everything until she has nothing and, amidst the chaos of Warsaw, learns how to use her gift for photography to capture pictures of what is happening in Warsaw. Although their paths cross and then diverge, their stories, their hopes and their dreams capture the essence of the times in which they lived.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine historical fiction that gives insight into pre-war Warsaw when life was vibrant and Warsaw was called “The Paris of the North.” This book could also is considered as a possible fictional prequel to the author’s previous book, The Light of Days, the story of young Jewish women who fought the Nazis.

In exploring this historical period after I read the book, I learned pre-war Warsaw was experiencing a golden age of art, literature, film and poetry. There were also 180 Jewish newspapers at that time. So against this background, the book tells the story of two very different Jewish girls, Fanny and Zosia. Fanny comes from a wealthy family. She wants nothing more than be recognized by her family as an artist. Zosia comes from a small shtetl and seeks social equality for all.

When Wanda Petrovsky, a famous artist and Fanny’s photography teacher and part of the social movement Zosia is in, disappears the two seek to find her and understand her mysterious disappearance. These two diametrically opposed women bond in seeking to help someone they care for.

I enjoyed the epilogue when the story these two characters created are feted by their grandchildren. It’s an emotional read. Also the author’s note gives into these characters who are loosely based a real women of that time. This is a most courageous book.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Dutton for allowing me to read this fine ARC.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate NetGalley for the chance to read and review The Last Woman of Warsaw by Judy Batalion.

This story follows two very different young Jewish women in 1930s Warsaw. Zosia has fled brutal antisemitic violence in her small town and is desperately trying to get a visa to Palestine. Fanny is a college student who dreams of becoming a photographer, even though her mother wants something more “respectable” for her.

The one person both girls are depending on is their professor, Wanda Petrovsky — Zosia hopes Wanda can help with her visa, and Fanny needs her to get into an important photography exhibition. When Wanda is suddenly arrested for being a Communist, Zosia and Fanny are thrown together and have to figure out how to help her.

As things in Poland grow more dangerous for Jewish people and Hitler rises to power in Germany, the book really shows how quickly life can change and how ordinary people are forced to make impossible choices. I liked the contrast between Zosia and Fanny and how their relationship develops under pressure.

I enjoyed reading about how lively Warsaw was before the German occupation. All the books I've read about Poland take place during the occupation and are very bleak. In this book we read about parties, bars, concerts, etc.

[Ryan Brandenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I ended up liking this upcoming debut novel by Judy Batalion, but I wouldn’t say I always enjoyed the journey.

The novel revolves around two main characters, Fanny and Zosia, during the brief period before World War II erupted in Poland. Initially, I found it challenging to connect with these characters, especially Zosia. They weren’t particularly likable, and the author didn’t provide a compelling introduction to help the reader get to know them better.

Ultimately, I was much more engrossed in the story by the end. I found the perspective of Poland and its treatment of Jewish citizens at the time particularly compelling. While the writing is solid, I couldn’t help but wonder if the author’s primary focus on non-fiction might have contributed to the need for more editing when introducing the characters.

I will say that one of the strongest parts of this book was the epilogue, which nicely tied up all the loose ends and was quite emotional for the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Dutton, for the opportunity to read and review this upcoming novel, which will be released on April 7, 2026. I’ll definitely be interested to see what other fiction this author writes in the future.

[Elida Liederbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

1938/39 The beginning of the divide of different classes, and the friendship of two women who are so different. One wealthy, one poor and yet jewish and discovering they do not want to live the lives that our parents want for us. Fanny attending to her education but desiring to be taken seriously as a photographer; Zosia has left her family to fight for a movement that promises her people a better life. But as the two women join forces they discover a common goal to speak the truth, to show the people around them the injustices. As the Nazi movement moves forward, the story describes Warsau in 1938, the height of fashion, entertainment and torn by the beliefs that beliefs can change our world and history does repeat itself. I loved the friendship between the two women and how they saw each other as who they truly were and spoke honestly with each other so they could move forward in life. This is an ARC in Goodreads giveaway and I have written this honest review of a beautifully written historical piece by Judy Batalion that I would recommend.

[Deb Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in late 1930s Warsaw, Fanny and Zosia end up becoming friends and putting their own needs aside to find photographer Wanda Petrovsky. Fanny needs her to sign off on changing her major at university to avoid getting married to someone she doesn't love and Zosia needs her to get a visa to British Palestine. I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel and how these two young women had to navigate such challenging times. Fanny matured and learned how to stand up to her mother's wishes and focused on helping find Wanda. Zosia grew from only wanting to get her visa to focusing on the larger movement and helping Wanda get released from a cruel prison. I learned more about how Warsaw was dealing with the rise of Germany and the beginnings of the War. I came away from the book admiring the resiliency of the people of Poland.
I would recommend this for fans of historical fiction and those that want to experience more about Poland during this time period.
#TheLastWomanofWarsaw
Thank you Dutton, Plume, Tiny Reparations Books and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Last Woman of Warsaw” is by Judy Batalion. This novel was a bit of a slog for me to get through. The two main characters are Fanny and Zosia. This book takes place during the period before WWII starts in Poland. I really found it difficult to like these characters - especially Zosia who wasn’t very likable, and I felt like the author didn’t introduce the characters well to the reader. I found this book more engaged with facts than fiction - if that makes any sense. I think if this book had been a non-fiction book, I might have enjoyed it better. Overall, an okay read, but it wasn’t an enjoyable one.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking place in Warsaw between world wars, Fanny and Zosia are opposites and driven to find a missing female professor by motivations as different as they are. Their commonality is their Jewishness. Warsaw, itself, is wonderfully depicted as a city of glitz and glamour as well as cultured and artistic. Yet, mean streets and poverty existed. The politics of various groups are complex and you witness the brutality of vigorously simmering antisemitism prior to the Nazi invasion and occupation. This is well researched, well written and a terrific read about a time not often represented in historical fiction.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An historical fiction novel that was very interesting. Insight into pre war Warsaw. I was pulled into the story from the start.
Set in the 1930’s in Warsaw this story follows two very different girls.
Fanny is a college student who dreams of becoming a photographer. Although her mother wants her to find something more “respectable.”
Two strong female characters.
Zosia is desperately trying to get a visa to Palestine after fleeing her small town where brutal antisemitic violence was going on.
The descriptions of Warsaw made the story feel real, raw.
Women supporting women through danger, loyalty and how difficult it was to be Jewish in this time period. It was an emotional read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read this powerful story.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judy Batalion's sentences sing! She captures the atmosphere in Warsaw in the late 1930s in vivid detail, a world rich with culture, erudition, and dynamic political ideas. Two women, Fanny and Zosia, represent different realities for Jews in Poland—until the country no longer allows for these distinctions. By the end of the novel, I felt as though Fanny and Zosia are more than characters; they were friends. My heart broke for them as WWII loomed. Which one will forsake freedom? Which one will escape but give up her dreams? Their stories will stay with me forever.

[Theresa Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC! I have read a lot of historical fiction that takes place during WWII but this book was different, it took place in Poland before the Nazi’s occupied it. I enjoyed learning what life was like in Warsaw before the war through the eyes of two Jewish women. I appreciate being able to learn about this time period and how hard it already was for the Jewish people in Poland even before the Nazi’s appeared.

[Bruce Raterink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel, set in pre WWII Poland is told from the perspectives of two Jewish women with very different backgrounds. Well researched, well written, with endearing characters, and a well paced plot, I couldn't put it down and read it straight through in a couple of days. I enjoy historical fiction that is not only informative but engaging, this one did that perfectly. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced reader copy.

[Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author creates an engaging and unlikely friendship of two young women in pre-war Warsaw. With robust descriptions of the city, and as someone who has visited Poland, it felt like the city was also a character. It was very easy to get hooked into this story due to the strong character development.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bold and fierce. Batalion’s meticulous research shines. THE LAST WOMAN OF WARSAW follows two very different Jewish women drawn together by loyalty, danger and the woman they refuse to abandon. A powerful reminder of how ordinary courage - and women supporting women - shaped history in a moment that feels raw, real, and essential.

[Marianne Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at pre-WW2 Warsaw through the eyes of two very different women.
A very different take on the various views of what was coming and how it could be fought.
This was an ARC. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong female characters and good storytelling. I particularly liked the female characters who were pushing the boundaries of expectations for them during this time vs. what they wanted to do and pursue.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

[Rotrub · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an important story.