The Paris Photo

by Jane S. Gabin

A novel based upon the experiences of the author’s father in Paris during the last part of WWII. Finding a previously-unknown photo among her late father’s papers, college professor Judith Gordon sets out to locate the boy in the group picture almost 70 years after it was taken. The story is the tale of a young mother who courageously protects her child, Guy, by keeping him hidden during the War - but there is a long-lasting cost. This book blends mystery, historical fact, and romance as the narrative unfolds.

Paperback

First published October 24, 2018

About the author

Teacher, counselor, and public speaker, Jane S, Gabin has written academic books and has now turned to fiction. Her first novel, The Paris Photo, is a fictionalized account of her father’s activities as a US soldier in Paris near the end of WWII. She has spoken at many public libraries and bookshops. For details, see www.theparisphoto.com or www.janesgabin.com

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed reading this book. The first part deals with Ben, an American serviceman, who establishes a strong bond with a Jewish mother, her son and the grandmother. Some of the history behind the treatment of Jews in France I already knew about, so I could speed through this part. The second part was even more engaging for me as Ben's daughter tries to locate someone from this family after her father dies. I felt totally involved in this part of the story and the resulting relationship she finds in Paris.
I was reading the author bio and found she had graduated Queens College in NY where I also graduated. Then I found that she actually taught a one day course on Paris during the Holocaust in the Osher LifeLifelong Learning Institute at Duke, where I live. I understand the course was packed.
Jane Gabin did a great deal of research in this field and has a total command of it. Her characters are engaging and sympathetic.

[Jill Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a young Jewish solider getting a glimpse of the impact the Holocaust had on Paris, but specifically one family he grew to love deeply. Many years later the solider’s daughter finds a photo and works to put together the pieces of this story.

[Lilianne Milgrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had a pretty good handle on what happened in Nazi-occupied Paris, but Jane Gabin really spells out the horrific circumstances experienced by foreign nationals of Jewish origin during the darkest time in French history. Gabin's characters intersect in interesting ways. Their personal histories and life experiences are so different yet they come together to illuminate and clarify the path each chooses to take as a result of - or despite - their encounters. At times Gabin's narrative threatens to veer into a non-fiction retelling of history but the novel is worth reading because her characters demand our attention and their stories remain with us long after reading. For lovers of history and readers who want to know the cold, hard truth of what happened in Paris during the occupation.

[BookTrib.com]

THE PARIS PHOTO is an intergenerational novel with compelling characters that you grow to care deeply about. Gabin pulls readers into scenes from different times and places with sensory descriptions. Without many high-action plot points, the novel has a quiet subtlety about it and yet it’s difficult to put down. The story seeps into you as you gather little scraps of information that form a picture of a character who was there from the beginning, uncovered one piece at a time. You’ll find yourself leaning in until the very end.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/04/22/exper...

[Laureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars really. I liked the characters but the writing was only fair and the 2nd half of the book rambled a lot- could easily have been condensed. Good to read if you are going to Paris and want to look some of the sights up, but otherwise, there was a lot of unnecessary info. The overall sentiment was good but there is no closure for the characters, which they lead up to the entire time

[Lorilei Beer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an academic trying to force her research into a story and failing miserably. Would be much better to read about WWII in France either through non-fiction or through stronger novelists. A better editor could have made this a novel.

[Beth Shadur · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story depicted here is very engaging, I found the writing style so simplistic, I kept trying to find out if it were a YA book.
I was interested in the characters and their development, but the quality of her writing really reduced my enjoyment.

[Suzanne Noguere · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fortunes and misfortunes of war bring together an American GI and a Jewish family whose young mother had been hiding in plain sight in Occupied Paris. As their bonds grow, the extent of the devastation to the Jewish community begins to be revealed. This is a compelling book I did not want to put down.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'd give this 3 1/2 stars. It was easy to read, though the content was sometimes heavy and sad. I enjoyed knowing and having all the Paris frames of reference. I didn't always like the heavy one-person dialogue that was the majority of the first half of the book.

[Ellen Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing and fascinating look at wartime and modern Paris through the eyes of a daughter who discovers, through an old photograph, her father’s secret life while stationed there as WWII was ending. Highly recommended!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I'm still trying to figure out if I liked it or no.

[Lisa]

Didnt finish

[Jane Gabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first novel by this writer. It follows the adventures of her father, when in fact the child in the photo was found by the author a half century after the early events in the story. There is even the suggestion that the “professor” in this story and the French man she discovers will remain friends. Peut-être!