The Paris Orphan

by Natasha Lester

An American soldier and an enterprising photographer brave occupied France during World War II to help give a little girl her dream--a family--in this gripping novel from the bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress.



New York City/Paris, 1942: When American model Jessica May arrives in Europe to cover the war as a photojournalist for Vogue, most of the soldiers are determined to make her life as difficult as possible. But three friendships change that. Journalist Martha Gellhorn encourages Jess to bend the rules. Captain Dan Hallworth keeps her safe in dangerous places so she can capture the stories that truly matter. And most important of all, the love of a little orphan named Victorine gives Jess strength to do the impossible. But her success will come at a price...



France, 2005: Decades after World War II, D'Arcy Hallworth arrives at a beautiful chateau to curate a collection of famous wartime photos by a reclusive artist. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but D'Arcy has no idea that this job will uncover decades of secrets that, once revealed, will change everything she thought she knew about her mother, Victorine, and alter D'Arcy's life forever.

Includes a reading group guide!
"An emotional and sweeping tale set against the backdrop of World War II...Rich detail, compelling characters, and an interwoven dual timeline make this an engrossing read for historical fiction fans." --Chanel Cleeton, USA Today bestselling author of Next Year in Havana
"[A] splendid, breathtaking novel, full of mystery and passion...a must read!" --Jeanne Mackin, author of The Last Collection

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, World War II, Romance, France, War

480 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Natasha Lester is the multi-award winning and New York Times best-selling author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS, THE PARIS ORPHAN, THE PARIS SECRET and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASTRID BRICARD. Her new book, THE MADEMOISELLE ALLIANCE, the story of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only female leader of a French Resistance network in WWII, is coming in April 2025.

Prior to writing, she worked as a marketing executive for L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing.

Natasha's books have been translated into twenty-one different languages and are published all around the world. She lives in Perth, Western Australia with her 3 children and loves fashion history, practising the art of fashion illustration, collecting vintage fashion, travelling and, of course, books.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I am having a hard time accepting the ending.....

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica May’s modelling career stalled when she headed for Europe as a photojournalist in 1942. She was only allowed to the hospital camps – women couldn’t go near the front line – and while the male journalists had their own areas to send copy from, Jess and her friend Martha Gellhorn had to do the best they could. It would be the meeting by Jess of Dan Hallworth, paratrooper in charge of many men and well respected by those same men, that would change Jess’ ability within those pages of war, and the stories and pictures that would make a difference.

When Jess first met Victorine, a sweet little girl who was being cared for at one of the field hospitals, she soon grew to love her. The daily horrors and cruelty that surrounded them all were eased just slightly as she held Victorine in her arms. Other women photojournalists joined Jess and Martha, among them Lee Miller – their work essential, and what the censors didn’t cut out, made it to publication.

When Australian curator D’Arcy Hallworth arrived at the chateau in France in 2005 to collate the photographs of an unknown photographer, she had no idea the shattering changes which were about to overtake her life. Her disbelief when she saw a photo of her own mother in among the relics of the past had her doubting everything she’d known of her life. D’Arcy couldn’t understand the connection of her mother to this long ago past – and she wasn’t sure if she was brave enough to pursue it either…

The French Photographer is the latest by Aussie author Natasha Lester and it’s absolutely heartbreakingly brilliant! I can’t believe this author can continue to improve her books, time and again – but this one, in my opinion, is her best yet! Based on fact, the descriptions of the war years, the different characters which grew on me – Jennings was a sweetheart; Victorine a delight – and the others who were despicable but so well drawn. But the three main characters – Jess, Dan and Victorine – were so very special. The French Photographer is a wonderful historical fiction novel by an author who is right on top of her game – and I highly recommend it.

With thanks to Hachette AU for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars
In Paris 1942 Jessica May’s successful modelling career is high jacked and abruptly stopped by someone she once cared for and trusted. Jessica is also an excellent photographer. Assigned to the war in Europe as a photojournalist she is thwarted by certain army men who seek to make her life as difficult as possible. With her new friend Martha Gellhorn, wife of Ernest Hemingway, Jessica manages to bend the rules and is taken to the front by paratrooper Dan Hallworth to take pictures and write about the war. Jessica also meets Victorine, a child the victim of the war. In France 2005, Australian D’Arcy Hallworth arrives at a chateau to manage a famous collection of photos. Mystery surrounds the photographer. There D’Arcy meets Josh and finds there are certain connections between the photographer and her life and that of D’Arcy’s mother, Victorine.
Having had a number of people whose opinions I value rate this book highly I was keen to read it. The author certainly portrays the horrors of war. As Jessica discovers it’s not only the losing side that are the perpetrators of horrific crimes, especially against women. It is obvious a lot of research had gone into the historical aspects of this story. This book has some, likable and some decidedly nasty characters. With strong determined women, the historical background and more than one romance which occurs, it had all the ingredients of what should have a great read. So, why didn’t I give it five stars or at least four? And why did it take me so long to read it once I started? Not really sure but for whatever reason, it never totally engaged me. It felt at time like I was never getting any further with my reading of it. It felt like a slog.
And then later in the book it got to a point where, as far as I was concerned it denigrated, to melodrama. Without giving spoilers I simply could not accept some of the reasons or the events that occurred and so my rating plummeted. Let me just say here, other readers obviously had no problem with these events, and didn’t see them the same way I did. They just didn’t work for this reader. So maybe this is one of those books where you just have to dive in and make up your own mind. It could be you will love it. This is the second book I have read by this author and I suspect that we are just not a good match, despite the stunning covers on both books.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book could not have been better, I relished the story, the characters and the superb writing.
Come Chapter 26 it all fell apart.
The personal relationships were unrealistic, ridiculous and annoying.
I wish I could say more without giving spoilers, but I can’t.

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

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The French Photographer by Natasha Lester. (2019).

Paris, 1942. Jess's modelling career ends abruptly and she manages to get assigned to the war in Europe as a photojournalist. The army men make her life as difficult as possible but three friendships keep Jess going: journalist Martha, paratrooper Dan and a little girl called Victorine. But Jess's success comes at a price...
France, 2005. Australian art curator D'Arcy arrives at a beautiful chateau to manage a famous collection of photographs. Then D'Arcy uncovers the true identity of the mysterious photographer and discovers that the photographer is corrected to D'Arcy's own mother, Victorine.

Wow. Another 5 star read from this author! Historical war fiction is not one of my favourite genres but lately there has been some pretty great books that I've enjoyed in this category and The French Photographer is definitely one of them. I love that this author has such strong, intelligent female leads that are ahead of their time - I find myself so drawn to these characters and admiring them. I didn't want to put this book down. The best way I can describe how I felt while reading this novel would be: you know your heart is going to hurt at some point but you keep reading because you just can't stop, and you still hold out hope that it will be a perfect ending for the characters you've fallen in love with. The dual narratives work perfectly together and both are intriguing and absorbing. Don't miss out on this enchanting narrative!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The French Photographer is the fifth novel by best-selling Australian author, Natasha Lester. Art handler and aspiring documentary maker, D’Arcy Hallworth has travelled to France in June 2004 to pack a collection of photographs for exhibition in Australia. D’Arcy has long admired The (anonymous) Photographer’s work, and D’Arcy is sure work of such compassion could only have been done by a woman. At the chateau, Lieu de Réves, D’Arcy encounters The Photographer’s agent, Josh Vaughn, an attractive but very reserved American lawyer.

After some days of writing condition reports and crating, D’Arcy is invited to the attic to examine some boxes of unframed work with Josh, and discovers a photograph dated 1944, with her mother’s name on the back: a man with a young girl. Victorine Hallworth was born and schooled in France before giving birth to D’Arcy in Australia, and has never been very forthcoming about her youth. D’Arcy is understandably intrigued: is this child really her mother? And is Dan Hallworth, Editor in Chief of World Media Group, not just her mother’s boss, but something more?

Jessica May is famous as a model for Vogue, but her ambitions lie with photojournalism. In 1942 Vogue agrees to send her to Europe as their war correspondent, and she is thrilled. She jumps through multiple hoops to finally be approved and is sent to Italy, a field hospital, where she will record the experiences of the war nurses. But she accidentally ends up at the front, in a trench, her report drawing the ire of her London Public Relations Officer. Captain Dan Hallworth sees her to safety and later backs her up, but from then on PRO Warren Stone seems to have Jess in his sights.

Along with the other female correspondents, she’s frustrated by bureaucrats intent on thwarting their attempts to get a story under the guise of “protecting the weaker sex”. They are forbidden to go to the front, they are denied their own transport, they are excluded from Press camps and the work of male correspondents always takes precedence over theirs at the censor. On top of this, Jess is burdened with Warren Stone’s dirty tricks campaign. But at the field hospital she meets little Victorine, Dan Hallworth’s “niece”, and soon there’s a bond of friendship between the three.

The narrative alternates between two time periods and is carried by two main narrators (Jess and D’Arcy) with two minor narrators filling the necessary facts towards the end. Two romantic love stories are told, the first against the background of World War Two, the second involving an intriguing mystery, while a third gets a passing mention.

Lester gives the reader many characters who are appealing and easy to care about, to shed tears for, but also some truly selfish characters who are coldly and calculating and behave shockingly, taking advantage of the goodness and integrity of others. Guilt and shame, but also the wish to save others from heartbreak, mean that secrets are kept and potential happy-ever-afters not realised. And unknowing children are lovingly raised by parents not actually their own.

In her Author Notes, Lester states that this novel was inspired by the true story of American war correspondent for Vogue, Lee Miller. She details her extensive research, noting the many actual events that occur in the narrative, and the story highlights the misogyny and sexual harassment prevalent during the war, as well as the atrocities committed against women, by men on all sides of the conflict. Interesting and moving, this is heart-warming historical fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Hachette Australia.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The French Photographer by Natasha Lester

Synopsis /

Manhattan, Paris, 1942: When Jessica May's successful modelling career is abruptly cut short, she is assigned to the war in Europe as a photojournalist for Vogue. But when she arrives the army men make her life as difficult as possible. Three friendships change that: journalist Martha Gellhorn encourages Jess to bend the rules, paratrooper Dan Hallworth takes her to places to shoot pictures and write stories that matter, and a little girl, Victorine, who has grown up in a field hospital, shows her love. But success comes at a price.

France, 2005: Australian curator D'Arcy Hallworth arrives at a beautiful chateau to manage a famous collection of photographs. What begins as just another job becomes far more disquieting as D'Arcy uncovers the true identity of the mysterious photographer -- and realises that she is connected to D'Arcy's own mother, Victorine.


My Thoughts /

In The French Photographer, author, Natasha Lester invites the reader to journey beside Jessica May (whose fictional character is loosely based on the incredible true story of Lee Miller - a Vogue model turned one of the first female war photojournalists of WWII), and to view the following events and characters as though through the eye of a photographer’s lens.

A little bit of history
Lee Miller became an accredited war correspondent in 1943 and joined the 83rd Infantry Division of the US Army the following year. Travelling with the 83rd, she photographed the siege of Saint-Malo, the liberation of Paris, and both Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps. Her published images are acclaimed worldwide as providing a human face amongst the propaganda. Miller was a model, a muse, a fashion photographer, and a war correspondent, and she seemed to gracefully move from one version of herself to the next. One of her most iconic photographs is a famed 1945 image David E. Scherman took of her in a bath. That tub was not just any bath, it belonged to Adolf Hitler and in the picture, Miller has shed her clothes, her muddy boots are pictured at the base of the bath and a photograph of Hitler is in the background. It was reported: The image can be read in more ways than one—as both a moment of victory over a dictator and a reclamation of power by a long-objectified muse. It is this image, which perhaps most embodies the description of Miller as “a remarkable woman, completely unsentimental, and sometimes ruthless.”

With every historical fiction novel I read, which is interwoven with elements of truth, I see that period through new eyes. Written in a dual timeline, Paris 1942 and France 2004, Lester's The French Photographer has given me a greater understanding of what it would have been like for women during that time. The difficulties of being female in an occupied country. In a defeated country. And lastly, a post war country. Having finished the book, I'm left to wonder, if, in some countries, are things really any different for women?

Lester has written not one, but two impressive female protagonists, Jessica May and D'Arcy Hallworth.

Jessica May's successful modelling career was derailed suddenly after her image was used to advertise a female sanitary product. Hardly worth batting an eye over in 2023, but remember, this is 1942. Not one to wallow in self-pity, Jess packs up her life and makes her way to Europe where she begins work as a photojournalist for Vogue. Jess faces a steep uphill battle in her efforts to become a credible wartime reporter. Lester effectively highlights the struggles faced by women in a traditionally male dominated role, and the "double standards" which women faced during this time.

Living and working in Australia, art curator D'Arcy Hallworth is assigned a job in France to catalogue, pack and transport a collection of works by a mystery photographer. When D'Arcy uncovers what she believes to be a photograph of her mother in the vast cache of images, she becomes determined to find out why and how the photograph came to be in the collection.

One of the many joys I had while reading this well researched and plotted story, was the exquisite phraseology:

She was relieved to find a minuscule blue Renault awaiting her and she promptly opened all the windows, not caring that her long blonde hair would fly about madly as she drove past engorged grapes, so full of champagne juice that it was a wonder the slipstream of her car didn’t burst their skins.

Worst of all was the tideline. The beach was so wide, the difference between high and low tide so marked, that the high watermark had become the most poignant reminder that what lay now on the beach had once been the living. Yardley hair tonic, bibles, a baseball mitt. Razors, letters from home, pistol belts. Sticks of camouflage cream, a guitar, shoe polish. The remainders of men who would no longer polish their shoes.

It's no wonder they say a picture paints a thousand words.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend this story of resilience, courage, family and forgiveness.

[Tea Jovanović · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure bliss! This author is new voice for me (skipped under my radar somehow)... This novel is recently awarded RNA best historical fiction! And it deserved this award! Right mix of past and present, WWII and nowadays, France... Based upon story of true model turned war reporter, well researched novel... It is the first time I've seen in fiction title author explaining what is taken from where, what is true, what is fiction... (that is usually done in non-fiction or text books)... Love, war, fate, secrets that changes so many lives... Beautifully written... I know author's publisher for years, she was thrilled when I asked for manuscript to review the book, she sent me all 5 titles written by Natasha... Now that I've read the book I must say that I share her publisher's excitement... I'll be more than happy and honored if I can be her Serbian editor (I am working on finding her publisher)... I can't wait to read the rest of 4 titles... :)
For those who like Lucinda Riley, Penny Vincenzi, Santa Montefiore, Victoria Hislop...

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good intro to this story. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I am loving, and hoping for, the friendship and possible relationship between Jess and Dan. I am anxious to continue this story and see how it turns out. So far I will give this book a 5 based on the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this extended preview for an honest review.


To be continued once I finish the entire book.

[Lavinia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

O ficțiune istorică frumoasă, cu o poveste emoționantă, așa cum ne-a obișnuit Natasha Lester.
Autoarea reușește să surprindă iar cele mai urâte momente ale vremii prin cele mai frumoase texte.

Personajele sunt remarcabile, le urmărim în mai multe fire narative și când totul se leagă, rămâi wow.

Combinația dintre război, femeie model, fotograf, arta... se îmbină minunat.

Eu am ascultat cartea pe Audiotribe și mi-a plăcut la nebunie vocea naratorului, a mers foarte lin lectura.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally loved the 1st part of this Historical fiction and couldn't wait to keep reading it. Then after midway into the book and after the WWII era I started losing interest in the book. This is so sad I had such high hope's for this book and it was more of a soap opera ending, needless to say very disappointed.

[simona.citeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

La fel de fascinantă ca și "Secretele Parisului". Război și artă, o combinație la care nu te gândești inițial. Povestea are mai multe planuri, foarte usor de urmărit și foarte captivante.
M-a întristat finalul 😓

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea where to start with this book, what an intensely, powerful, beautiful, emotional and moving story that was so hard to put down, yet I read slowly and savored every word, as I journeyed through World War 2 with Jess and Dan and then 2005 I got to know D’Arcy as she un-ravels some secrets that cause some more heartbreak but also opens hearts to forgiveness, keep the tissues ready.

Jessica May is modeling for Vogue in New York in 1942 she is a beautiful woman who is open and honest and a very talented photographer and journalist as well and gets an assignment as a photojournalist in Europe to cover the war, here she meets many other female photojournalists and the way they are treated is hard to take, but friendships and strong bonds are formed with people like Martha Gellhorn and paratrooper Dan Hallworth, who actually knows how to treat these woman that get the stories told with heartfelt emotions, Jess gets photos that will still be printed years later they are beautiful and special, she also meets a little girl Victorine who is living in a field hospital and the special bond they have is amazing and special. But emotions run high, hearts are broken and yet love survives.

In 2005 D’Arcy Hallworth daughter of Victorine, is sent to a chateau in France to gather some photos from a famous collection to bring to Australia for an exhibition, this has D’Arcy uncovering who the photographer is and discovering the link that she has to this person. The photos are opening up so many emotions for D’Arcy making her wonder about the past and what she can do try and see some things right, and there is Josh as well someone for D’Arcy to lean on.

I don’t think I am going to forget this story for a long time to come, I am still tearing up thinking about what to write in this review, I can say that it is a book that is a must read, it really has left me speechless in its telling of a woman who was determined to be heard in times when woman weren’t heard well and the things that happened during a terrible time in history and then the love between Jess and Dan that although had so many things thrown at it did last for them both, I loved the courage and strength that was Jess and the forgiveness that was needed and given, yes this is one I highly recommend.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant, heartbreaking, and enthralling!

The Paris Orphan is an absorbing, emotive tale predominantly set in France during 1942, as well as 2005, that is told primarily from two different perspectives; Jessica May, a young model turned photojournalist who journeys to Europe to document the real dangers, consequences, and atrocities of war; and Darcy Hallworth, a young art handler who inadvertently stumbles upon a family history littered with secrets and sacrifices while preparing a collection of photographs for an Australian exhibit.

The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are brave, resilient, and determined. And the plot, along with all the seamlessly intertwined subplots, is an impressive blend of drama, mystique, emotion, secrets, love, loss, courage, passion, heartbreak, as well as an insightful look at the struggles faced by female correspondents during WWII, and the importance of friendships.

Overall, The Paris Orphan is a wonderful blend of historical facts and alluring fiction that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the personalities, feelings, and lives of the characters you never want it to end. It is without a doubt one of my favourite novels of the year and is another fine example of Lester’s extraordinary talent as a remarkable researcher and memorable storyteller.

Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

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A writing star on the rise’, we are just so lucky here in Western Australia to call Natasha Lester one of our very own. She is truly a megastar in the historical fiction world, cementing her place as one of the leading specialists in the field of dual timeline and historical narratives. The French Photographer exudes Natasha Lester’s style, grace, commitment to history and her ability to place the focus on our female trailblazers of yesteryear.

The French Photographer takes the reader far and wide, to some of the world’s most cosmopolitan destinations. From London to Italy, France, New York and our very own Sydney. We follow the inspiring journey of two women who are inexplicably linked by the bonds of war, survival, sacrifice, love and commitment. The story begins in Paris, in the year 1942. We meet Jessica May, a stunning young woman with a modelling contract, that takes a nosedive when her images are splashed across a Kotex advertisement. This turn of events leads Jessica to the offices of Vogue, working as a photojournalist in the war. Life on the front is gruelling, Jessica faces an uphill battle to perform her job in the face of the men who dominate the field. But, the friendship of a fellow journalist, a paratrooper and a young girl changes Jessica’s life forever. Linked to Jessica’s compelling story is that of D’Arcy Hallworth, an art curator from Australia, who is assigned to a job involving a mysterious photograph collection based at a French chateau in 2005. D’Arcy is determined to learn more about the identity of the photographer, but it comes at a price, striking right at the heart of her own family origins. The French Photographer is a story rich in family connections, the bonds of love and the strength of the human spirit.

Natasha Lester has burst back into our reading lives, with her latest and I dare say, her greatest historical fiction showpiece, The French Photographer. A beautifully composed dual timeline narrative, this highly absorbing narrative follows a former model turned photojournalist Jessica May, in the midst of World War II, along with an art curator in the year 2005.

Those who know my reading preferences will be aware that my favourite style of books are dual timeline historical fiction novels. So, I knew I was going to be in a clear win-win situation with The French Photographer. However, what I did not expect was to be so taken aback by the strength of Natasha Lester’s story and her prose, as well as the sheer brevity of this novel, I felt a little winded! The French Photographer is one of those special one of kind books. They don’t come around too often, but when they do, it is best to hold on tight and not let go!

So why am I singing the praises of The French Photographer? The historical footing is second to none. Just one glance through the extended Author’s Note, contained at the back of the book, provides the reader with an excellent insight into the history behind the story. It also gives the reader a great deal of insight into the extensive research process undertaken by Lester and the fascinating real life figures this book was based upon. What I loved about The French Photographer was the connection to famous figure Lee Miller. I also came to look forward to the various well known artists, writers and journalists that populated the novel. There is just no faulting Natasha Lester’s research, in any shape or form.

What I came to appreciate greatly after reading The French Photographer and reflecting on my experience of reading the novel, was the importance placed on the role of a war photojournalist and their vital place in the war. The experiences of war journalists, especially females, are rarely shared, discussed or acknowledged. Lester’s prose gives us an excellent snapshot of the vital work of a war photographer.

‘In every photograph, Jess had held both horror and beauty in her hands – a thing as precious and rare as an asymmetrical butterfly. It was her duty to transmit that to the world, no matter what it did to her stomach. She picked up the Rollei, pressed it to the glass and captured on film exactly what now, child’s play had become.’

Utterly astonishing, breathtaking and sublime writing, here in all its glory.

Dual timeline narratives often depend upon a rich sense of place and atmosphere. This is another area where Natasha Lester shows her prowess. Both the 1942 and 2005 narrative evoked an overwhelming sense of place. With each turn of the phrase I felt like I was stepping on the very ground the characters were walking on, which takes great skill as a writer. In particular, I found the attention to detail in the World War II narrative so impressive. I came away feeling desperately sad about the war yet again, as there was an another set of experiences that I was not previously aware of. Natasha Lester does not shy away from those hard to handle areas of the war, it is a warts and all, not a bandaid style approach. Likewise, the 2005 narrative was absolutely breathtaking. I just adored the sequences set in the French chateau and I relished the experience of uncovering the mystery aspect of the novel.

Romance is Lester’s forte and there is so much passion, missed opportunities, heartache, and angst in the love stakes. This applies to both Lester’s modern day couple and her World War II courtship. I do have to say I kept I kept turning the pages just for Jess and Dan, both as a potential couple and their independent stories. I just adored Jess and Dan’s love story, it was an epic, Gone with the Wind style romance, which is my favourite kind. Jess and Dan battle against true love, duty, honour, promises and self sacrifice. And, in keeping with real life, the pathway to love is never smooth sailing, nor does it promise a happy ever after. Expect to reach for the tissues at least once, twice, or even three times while reading The French Photographer!

The most overwhelming feature that I feel that I must acknowledge before closing off this review is the feminist focus. Lester’s approach to this aspect of the novel is to be applauded. She recognises the efforts and bold sacrifices made by those women from times past. The women like Jessica May, Martha Gellhorn and the like. The women who fought against the system, broke down the barriers of their gender, asserted themselves in a male dominated world and made steady gains for women across the world, in many roles. In some respects, The French Photographer is an essential novel for the modern day reader, it acknowledges the hard yards undertaken by our sisters of the past.

It pains me to have to close off this review, but I fear I could continue singing the praises of Natasha Lester all day and night! I will leave you with a strong parting testament, The French Photographer is a crowd pleaser. This novel should be widely read, enjoyed, discussed and celebrated – for its significant place in the world of progressive historical fiction.

*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.

The French Photographer is book #43 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

(🍁 Thanks to @grandcentralpub & @readforeverpub for my complimentary copy of this book. All opinions provided are my own.)

3.5 stars

Do you remember the Friends episode where Rachel makes trifle? So many of the layers were spot-on and probably quite tasty. Then out of nowhere comes the beef.
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That’s how I feel about THE PARIS ORPHAN by Natasha Lester. You all, this sweeping story told from multiple perspectives—mostly in the WWII-era and the early 2000s—had exactly the things that usually captivate me in historical fiction:
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A model-but-aspiring-photojournalist heroine who doesn’t allow the stifling gender expectations of others keep her from doing what she thinks is right and a Major—a man of integrity—meet on a WWII battlefield...
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There’s a thrilling love story that’s largely fantastically written, with pathos and heart and the grit of war...
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and secrets, secrets, secrets, about what happened to this couple and how it relates to the modern characters.
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So much goodness.
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But that’s where the book fell apart for me. I spent much of yesterday afternoon in a state of heightened suspense, waiting to get back to the last 100 pages, and then thingswerehappening and I wanted to whisper *no!
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What was such a promising, wonderful read turned into something that felt needlessly melodramatic, bloated with unsettling secrets that didn’t feel right to me and that didn’t even always seem to garner appropriate responses from the characters themselves.
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In the end I just felt disappointed. I hate that because so much of the book is set up beautifully, and I truly came to care for the characters and their happiness. This book ultimately missed the mark for me.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year, when I reviewed The Paris Seamstress, I wrote that it was my favourite novel by Natasha Lester, and indeed, it was in my reading highlights list for 2018. But here we are, a new year with a new novel by Natasha, The French Photographer, and yes, I’m saying it again…this is my favourite novel by Natasha Lester. I’d go so far as to say that it is her best yet. There’s a strength to the writing in this novel, a reckoning with regards to her themes that just elevates this novel into a class of its own. It’s brilliant, insightful, and wrenching; an ode to all of the women who fought for their right as journalists and photographers to report on WWII. History is rife with inequalities against women, and here, in The French Photographer, Natasha rips the dust cloth off and shakes out the rot that is steeped into the history of women in journalism, exposing it all, in its shocking and distasteful glory.

"As a woman, she had absolutely no access to press camps, which meant no access to briefings, or to maps, or to news about hot spots and likely strafing attacks and the day’s objective or anything else that would actually give her an idea which part of the country was safe and which wasn’t. When Jess had pointed out that this would put her at more risk that the men, nobody seemed to care. And she still had to wait in line with her stories; hers were sent back to London where the censors tore them apart and then directed them on to Bel, which meant that her words occasionally make no sense as she wasn’t allowed to review them. Whereas the men submitted theirs direct from France after their very own sensor had checked them and allowed the men a final edit."

Inspired by war correspondents such as Lee Miller, Iris Carpenter, Lee Carson, Catherine Coyne, and Martha Gellhorn, The French Photographer not only examines the misogynistic treatment of these war correspondents within their work environment, but also the way in which the war was reported on, particularly with regards to the treatment of women, post Allied victory. The stories the people at home ‘didn’t need to hear’, and which male reporters weren’t interested in reporting on because when balanced against bolstering morale for the war efforts, these crimes against women weighed less. The entitlement that some members of the armed forces had towards women, particularly German women after the Allied victory, can be summed up aptly by the title Jessica May gives to her piece written after the war: “I’ve Got A Pistol and There Ain’t Nobody Going to Stop Me Having Her” – which was based on Iris Carpenter’s recollections in her memoir. The French Photographer tells an important story, and the extent of Natasha’s research gives this work of fiction a gravity and merit that offers it up as a worthy source for historical insight, as well as a springboard for further reading. This novel is strongly feminist, and while Natasha’s work has always been this way, The French Photographer is sharper, less subtle, and all the more powerful for it.

"Nobody else would take those pictures; a male photojournalist would never think nurses worthy of any interest besides the prurient. And of course the War Department wouldn’t let Bel have Jess’s pictures because then everyone would know that a woman had been in a combat zone and that, apparently, was the real problem, not the death and dying and undocumented bravery of that small tent full of women in Monte Cassino."

The French Photographer is a dual narrative, but both eras are firmly linked. D’Arcy, in 2004, is an art handler, charged with the responsibility of packing up a collection of photographs from a famous photographer, whose identity has remained secret for decades. As D’Arcy digs deep into the collection, she begins to discover connections between herself and the photographer that don’t sit well with her. This is where Natasha excels at story building, applying human connections to her narrative that span generations. Keeping the sections short, the story moves along at a fast pace, building the tension within both eras, and as we near the end, Natasha switches perspectives to two other characters, major players whose voices offer an essential finish to this heartbreaking family story. And it is heartbreaking, more tragic love story than romance, mirroring real life with precision.

"There were almost too many things happening for D’Arcy to grasp them as individual hurts and losses, as well as wonders and astonishments. She suddenly felt as if she understood Balzac’s belief that a person was made up of ghostly layers, layers that image-taking stripped away each time a photograph was taken."

There are some really beautiful passages of writing in this novel. Atmospherically rendered, inviting the reader to immerse themselves into the world the characters were inhabiting. A saturation of the senses, so to speak.
For example:

"D’Arcy felt as if she were being lured little by little into a forest, as if a trail had been laid for her the moment she stepped foot into the chateau and she could do nothing but continue inexorably on into the gloaming."

And this:

"How lovely the night was, the gentle whisper of flower stems stretching and yawning and then curling in to slumber, the swish of the last bird’s wings flying home to roost, the rustle of night creatures awakening. Lemon and chive-scented air. The taste of champagne grapes on her tongue."

Glorious! Needless to say, I highly recommend The French Photographer – an illuminating and transporting read that will take your breath away.


Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of The French Photographer for review.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 4th book by Natasha Lester; I have mainly enjoyed them all. Her historical research is excellent, she writes well & evokes a real sense of time & place, her characters are believable & fairly well rounded & she faces complex issues with realism.
So why only 3 stars? Because of the theme which runs through each book & drives me mad! She has, I’d now say, a predictable format in which her characters second guess each other, assume all sorts of nonsense, have a propensity to dramatic martyrdom which causes all sorts of avoidable heartbreak. Just bloody talk to each other for crying out loud!!! But then, the author couldn’t create these rather ridiculous, in my view, melodramas.
With all her accuracy in others areas, her lack of understanding about human behaviour really lets her down. Unless it’s deliberate... in which case, change the record already! You’re a much better writer than this!

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some issues with this book. First, I have already read historical fiction on female journalists in WWII, including books on Martha Gelhorn and Lee Miller. Maybe if I hadn't read a few of these, THE PARIS ORPHAN would have been better. But then, the book devolved into a melodramatic telenovela with truly unbelievable things happening. Natasha Lester had to keep Dan and Jess apart, and she does that in a rather unique yet entirely stupid and unbelievable way. Then there are more revelations that equally belong in a soap opera. There was also some pretty terrible writing in this, including: "their lips touched once more and again their lovemaking was slow and gloriously prolonged, their hands speaking the promises that their mouths were too frightened to say." Uuuggggg, insert eye roll. Finally, the book was way too long.

I'm not sure why there are so many five star reviews for this book. There are plenty of better WWII historical fiction options.

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy five stars from me. Why!? Even though the author broke my heart (like she will yours) it is a wonderfully written story of an amazing, strong, courageous woman in WWII (Jessica - the photographer in the book’s title). You can’t help but love her. She’s feisty. And obviously talented. Fast forward to 2005 where we meet D’Arcy, another strong willed young woman - and how she uncovers the connection between the two of them. The world works in mysterious ways and I’m not going to give away anything else. WHY? You just need to read it and get swept up into the story, particularly the story of Jessica May and Dan Hallworth. I will give you one tip however: if you get emotionally invested in your characters and their storylines, have tissues ready. [I’m still mad at you Natasha Lester!]

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it hadn't been for the STUPIDEST PLOT TWIST ON THE PLANET I would have loved this book so damn much. But I don't care who you are, the idea that a man would leave the woman he adores more than life itself - and that she would LET him - and marry a woman he despises because he thinks he owes her something is unbelievable, even in the time period in which this story takes place. And then - AND THEN - at the very end, on the verge of fixing the whole huge stupid mess, yet another STUPID BEYOND BELIEF PLOT TWIST - yep! The heroine DIES. BEFORE she gets to see him again. Stupidest bloody ending to a book EVER.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Lester’s latest historical novel is a drop-dead gorgeous winner!

VOGUEING
It features Jessica May, a protagonist inspired by real life Vogue model and WWII correspondent Lee Miller.

NIGHTMARE
The dual timeline narrative starts in 1942, when Jessica leaves modeling in Manhattan after her boyfriend destroys her career. Vogue sends her to Europe as a photojournalist, but the Army’s sexist restrictions make covering the war a nightmare.

SALVATION
She finds salvation, however, through journalist Martha Gellhorn, who encourages her; paratrooper Dan Hallworth, who makes possible access to key places and stories; and orphan Victorine, who opens her heart.

SHOCK
Segue to 2005, when Australian art handler D'Arcy Hallworth comes to France to curate a collection of famous photographs. Through her work, she uncovers the unknown photographer’s identity and is shocked to discover a connection to own mother Victorine.

HEART
The story seizes the heart, undergirded by Lester’s meticulous historical research, compelling characters, masterful narrative, and writing as lovely as Lee Miller herself.

FAN!
I grant THE PARIS ORPHAN the highest stars possible and can’t wait for Lester’s next, The Dior Legacy, slated for publication next year. I’m a fan through and through now!

STUNNER
But please please please replace this cover, pretty as it is, with the stunner that graces the Australian release. It is the most arresting in all of publishing!

Pub Date 03 Sep 2019.

Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheParisOrphan #NetGalley #FemaleWWIICorrespondents #NatashaLester

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester was an epic and emotional story told in an alternating time frame. Natasha Lester was able to transport her tale back to World War II. It focused on the numerous hurdles many of the female photojournalists encountered while trying to get to the front because of the preconceived views many male soldiers had about women serving in World War II. Women contributed to this war in a way that many men were unable to. However, recognition for their honesty, courage and exceptional work were rarely if ever celebrated. One of The Orphan Collector's main characters, Jessica May, was loosely based on the life of Lee Miller, a former model and later a photojournalist for Vogue serving in the Second World War. Natasha Lester brilliantly added the presence of Martha Gelhorn, Iris Carpenter and Lee Carson into the story as they interacted with Jessica May. It also described and captured the love Jess developed for both Captain Dan Hallworth and a young orphan girl named Victorine.

The alternate part of The Orphan Collector took place sixty years after the end of World War II in France. In 2005, D'Arcy Hallworth, a twenty-nine year old woman from Australia was commissioned by a mysterious artist to pack some famous photos from War War II and bring them back to Australia where they would be exhibited. D'Arcy arrived at Lieu de Reves, an almost fairytale chateau, not realizing how her life was about to be changed forever. Secrets, the mysterious artist had been harboring for decades would be disclosed over D'Arcy's extended stay.

The Paris Orphan was a masterfully written and well researched book, perfect for fans of historical fiction. It was about love, trust, secrets, hope, disappointment, discovery, and passion. I read Natasha Lester's The Paris Seamstress and loved it but I loved The Orphan Collector even more. It was captivating and I was unable to put it down. The characters were so well researched. My emotions were all over the place. I cried, smiled, laughed and even got angry. The Orphan Collector was a memorable and passionate story that told about the men and women that had to deal with the horrors of World War II and the secrets that the war held. I loved how Natasha Lester wove this story and made it so believable and at the same time, full of mystery and passion. She was so skillful in the way she did this. I highly recommend The Orphan Collector.

After receiving a free preview of The Orphan Collector from Hachette Book Group, Inc. through Netgalley I purchased a copy of the book on my own. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own..

[Cătălina Coman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Lester este, împreună cu Lucinda Riley, una dintre cele 2 autoare favorite pe ficțiune istorică.
Felul lor de a da viață unor povești în anumite contexte istorice este fabulos și mă prinde de la primul capitol. Efectiv simt că trăiesc în roman, că sunt un observator invizibil al evenimentelor.

CUVINTE CHEIE: ficțiune istorică, al 2lea război mondial, inegalitatea femeilor pe front, culisele frontului, dragoste, suspans, emoții puternice, răutate umană, curaj, exprimare liberă.

NOTĂ: 4,5/5.

CE MI-A PLĂCUT:
- povestea spusă pe 2 planuri narative, ambele interesant de urmărit.
- subiectul în sine, parcursul romanului.
- personajele sunt superbe, în fruntea listei fiind, bineînțeles, Jess. Chiar și despre personajele negative trebuie să spun de bine, căci sunt construite în așa fel încât să-și joace rolul la fix.
- ritmul a fost dinamic, nu m-am plictisit o secundă.
- substraturile poveștii sunt dureroase și vorbesc despre modul superficial în care a fost tratată o femeie pe front, despre abuzurile pe care le-au săvârșit ambele armate față de populația feminină, despre sacrificiile pe care sunt unele persoane obligate să le facă din cauza orgoliilor și a răutății altora și lista poate continua.

PENTRU CE AM SCĂZUT 0,5*?
- aș fi vrut ca planul prezent să fie mai bine dezvoltat, mai profund.
- finalul mi s-a părut ușor sub nivelul întregii cărți.

Dacă sunteți fani ficțiune istorică sau sunteți curioși de gen, aveți aici un titlu excelent!!!

[Yanitsa Genova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Фотожурналистиката ме вълнува,откакто се занимавам с фотография. Подхванах книгата с надеждата да намеря вдъхновителна история за жена фотограф на фронта, а се оказа повече любовни терзания и заплетени връзки между героите. 500 страници са твърде много за това..

[Leanne Lovegrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Lester makes you feel so much in this, her latest novel. We fall in love with the main characters, Jessica, Dan, Victorine and D'Arcy and shed tears over what they must endure. Everything is perfect - the settings, the history, the exquisite writing. It's a passionate and heart-wrenching fabulous read.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNFORGETTABLE QUOTES:

Every word I write is as difficult as tears wrung from stone.

She’d tried letting her photographs speak for her and it wasn’t working. Time to unleash a different weapon.

The war was marching on without them. Their male counterparts were the only ones reporting anything worth reading.

she knew the moment she caught it that it was the image that would show America what war had become. Not a gallant and heroic jousting for glory but a savage and bestial destruction of humankind.

I implore you to believe this is true.

I’ve Got a Pistol and There Ain’t Nobody Going to Stop Me Having Her

Fiction is all about what is possible and both of these examples made me believe that it was possible for Victorine to have been accommodated in a field hospital for a few months.


MY THOUGHTS:

Female photojournalists during World War II were treated unfairly, and that is an understatement. Jessica May has just lost a contract with Vogue magazine. Jess may have lost her livelihood, but not her drive. Actually, she has had another desire all along. Having spent years learning about photography while her parents were alive, along with a yearning to write, she strives to become a woman taken seriously in the world of photojournalism.

First Italy. Then Paris, with many places in between. Jess not only sees the very worst war has become, she must fight another battle. This is one of becoming worthy of being taken seriously, despite the fact that she is a woman. Jess, along with a few other women, fight tooth and nail to get access to the important stories. They want to report on the travesties of war, just like their male counterparts.

Not only does Jess have to fight to be in a place that counts, she fights one man in particular, Warren Stone. Stone would rather Jess fail on many levels. However, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hallworth opens many doors for Jess, keeping her as safe as possible so that she can prove her incredible value. Meanwhile, Dan casts a protective net around a little girl named Victorine, keeping her as safe from the horrors of war as possible.

The story begins a back-and-forth shift from the war to 2005. We then meet D'Arcy Hallworth, an art handler and curator hired to protectively package countless photos from an unnamed artists. The scope of the job is a bit out of the ordinary for her, but it is a once and a lifetime opportunity for her, so she travels to Paris. When D'Arcy arrives, she meets people who will change her life forever. This will also affect the relationship she has with her mother, Victorine.

What an emotionally charged story! Having read dozens of historical fiction novels still left me woefully unprepared for what I was about to read in The Paris Orphan. The realities of war, dark, brutal and devastating, left me in tears more than once. I was drawn into the characters as much as I was drawn into the effects of the war. Those named, and those unnamed. For starters, There are Jess, Dan, Victorine, Martha Gellhorn, Lee Miller, D'Arcy, Josh and Jennings. Then there were the victims of the war.

Although fiction, Natasha Lester did a tremendous amount of research (as revealed in the words at the end of the book), that allowed her to include historical facts, characters and places in the affecting story. This book gets the highest rating I can give. Can I say I loved it? In some ways, no. I was heartbroken. However, it is history that contained an incredible amount of realism and that allows me to highly respect it and find the tremendous value it offers tor lovers of anything historical related to war.

I usually read my books straight through, but this book took a few sessions. I had to think about it, dry more than a few tears, and realize how thankful I am to live in a land unaffected by war. It saddens me, however, that there are yet entire populations still suffering the unimaginable in today's times.

Thank you, Ms. Lester, for writing such an impressive book. I also want to thank the author for writing Jessica May's story that was actually based on the life of Lee Miller. I encourage readers to discover for themselves why this book wasn't about Lee (although she was a secondary character) and why Ms. Lester chose to create the character of Jess.

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.

[MaryG2E · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
After a rather slow start I found myself engrossed in this historical fiction novel set in France. The main story revolves around Jessica May, a beautiful young American woman whose career as a fashion model is cut short in 1942. Having already done some photojournalism work, she persuades the editor at Vogue magazine to permit her to travel to Europe to report on the war, one of a handful of female war correspondents.

Jess has a discerning eye which endows her photography and writing with a special empathy for her subject. Back in the USA her work is greatly appreciated, but, unfortunately, she is not valued by the US Army high command based in Europe. Along with her female colleagues, her ability to move around the theatres of war is stymied at every opportunity by the deeply chauvinistic attitude of the officious officials who have control over her deployment.

While working in Italy, then later in France, Jess meets Dan Hallworth, a competent and compassionate army commander, and they form a firm friendship which gradually matures into a deep attachment. Dan has charge of a young child, an orphan called Victorine, who was a victim of the refugee exodus after the fall of Paris to the Germans. Jess bonds with the girl and takes some emotional photos of her with her foster father. The reader follows the story of these three across Europe from 1942 to the end of fighting in 1945. The relationship between Jess and Dan matures into a passionate love, but their fates push them in different directions.

There is a second narrative thread which intersperses with the main story, that of D’Arcy Hallworth, an Australian art consultant who arrives in the French countryside in 2004 to arrange the transport of a group of images created by ‘The Photographer’ to Sydney for an exhibition. D’Arcy’s mother is called Victorine and was born in France, but D’Arcy cannot explain any connection to the past. It’s all a big secret, something which Victorine has steadfastly refused to discuss. Loving a good mystery, this reader was primed to continue reading…

One of the great virtues of this historical fiction is its adherence to the true story of US photojournalist Lee Miller. The Author’s Note at the end of the book details the author’s extensive research into Miller and the efforts of female journalists to report stories from the theatres of war in Europe. Several episodes in the story are true, and many of the minor characters around Jess did exist in real life. The author’s skill lies in constructing an enjoyable novel around the skeleton of historical facts. I think Natasha Lester has excelled at merging fact and fiction.

My engagement with the story was enhanced by my ability to look up Lee Miller on the internet, to read something of her life and to look at some of the photos that she took. She was a remarkable woman who sank into obscurity after World War 2. It has only been in recent years that her work has been reappraised, both in terms of her artistry and her determination to overcome the discrimination against women which prevailed in the middle of the 20th century.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! For somebody who doesn’t like books about war I could not get enough of this story.

I fell in love with these characters, especially Jess. My heart broke for her, I felt her pain and anger. A beautiful and powerful story

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, heartbreaking and utterly captivating. Some authors write a book or two and peak and that’s it – but my goodness, Natasha Lester is an absolute gem whose talent is just amazing and again and again I am totally in awe of her books. I am so happy I loved this book as much as her previous books if not more. Based on a real photojournalist in WWII and how women tried everything possible to be included in reporting the war, this book features a storyline and narrative that just takes you effortlessly to another time and place – and I equally enjoyed the characters in WWII as much as the ones in 2005. With strong women, heart-skipping-a-beat love stories and an ending that just breaks you but at the same time lifts you up. I recommend this to all my book loving friends. A must read 5++