“So much fear and hope captured in our words, so much longing and loss – and love.”
When her brother heads off to war in the early 1900s, Evie starts writing letters both to him and his childhood friend, Tom Harding. They all expect the war to end in a few months before Christmas. However, the war goes on and the correspondence that goes on between these three give a clear view of how life is for both the soldiers and the people left behind in London. They share dreams, hopes and memories when life gets hard – including getting together to spend a Christmas in Paris.
I heard about Last Christmas in Paris on a Crystal Paine podcast (Money Saving Mom). She said she originally read it because someone told her it was similar to Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barros, which is one of her favorite books (mine, too!). I went to check out the ebook from my library that day and it was available right away.
Last Christmas in Paris is mostly written by using letters between the characters. There are also letters sent to Evie’s best friend Alice, parents and Tom’s coworkers to help fill out the story. The beginning of each section tells Tom’s current day point of view as he is in Paris for Christmas as an old man and rereading all the letters Evie had kept from the war.
I did enjoy reading Last Christmas in Paris, but at a few points the letters were a bit dry with mentioning specific historical events and a few parts of the plot were given away a little to early. However, I am glad to have read it as I always enjoy good historical fiction. I may have had a tear or two in my eye at the end. Readers high school age and older who enjoy good fiction will enjoy Last Christmas in Paris.
Do you have any letters that you treasure? Share on the blog!
