None of our reasons for going to war made sense, and yet they all did.
(from The Race for Paris)
Quick summary: Meg Waite Clayton’s latest novel, The Race for Paris, is set in 1944 as the Allies invade France during World War II. The novel centers on Liv, an Associated Press photographer determined to be one of the first to capture the liberation of Paris, and Jane, a journalist for the Nashville Banner, who accompanies her. Facing blatant sexism, the two go AWOL and accompanied by Fletcher, a British military photographer, head straight for the front and Paris, forced to consider their pasts, their wartime losses, and their ambitions as they seek to make and document history.
Why I wanted to read it: I’d never read about female journalists or photojournalists during the Second World War.
What I liked: I loved this novel from start to finish. It was every bit as exciting as the description, and Clayton really made me feel like I was right alongside Jane, Liv, and Fletcher throughout the action. The quotes from real-life journalists and photographers, both male and female, at the beginning of each chapter show exactly what Jane and Liv were up against — and that Clayton clearly did her homework to make this novel as authentic as possible. I loved that the characters were likable and so human in their vulnerability, saying and doing things they probably wouldn’t have if death hadn’t been lurking in every turn and shadow.
What I disliked: Absolutely nothing!
Final thoughts: The Race for Paris provides a different look at war from the eyes of those who understood the importance of documenting the truth, even if their photos were blurred and their sentences cut by censors. Clayton realistically portrays the challenges faced by women who didn’t want to sit still during the fighting, the dangers faced by the journalists and photographers following and oftentimes riding alongside the soldiers, how women throughout history have made important contributions, and the risks they took in order to do so. The Race for Paris is among the best books I’ve read this year and one I know I will not soon forget.
Thanks to TLC Book Tours for having me on the tour for The Race for Paris!
Disclosure: I received The Race for Paris from Harper for review.
© 2015 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I’m so glad you loved this one as much as I did!
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It was fantastic!
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Oh, I’m glad you enjoyed it, as I have a copy on my Kindle. Thanks!
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I hope you love it as well!
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It sounds like I need to give this a try soon!
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I think you’d really like it!
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Anna: So glad you LOVED this book as much as I did. I’m a Meg Waite Clayton fan, following her career since “The Wednesday Sisters” days. I’ve enjoyed her subsequent books, however, this one is certainly the best she’s ever written–the premise, the plot, the dialogue, the pacing–all superb! It was definitely one I could not put down! I hope all of your readers go out and get themselves a copy. What a treat! Cheers!
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This was my first time reading Clayton, and now I plan to read more. Glad you loved it, too!
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Nice from another perspective.
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I hope you give it a try!
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I so admire the women who did this type of work – it can’t have been easy but it must have been so challenging and rewarding!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
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My pleasure!
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[…] The Race for Paris by Meg Waite Clayton […]
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