The French Photographer

In 1942 when Jesica May, a New York model, unexpectedly lost her modelling contract she applied to work in Europe as a photo journalist. Gaining accreditation, despite years of experience as a photographer, proved difficult but she was finally granted permission to join a small group of female photographers who were recording stories of how war was affecting the people of Europe.

In 2005 D'Arcy Hallworth arrived in France to select photographs for an exhibition to be held in Sydney. It was not long before she recognised that the photographs were taken by a photographer who was famous in the 1940s but whose story had now been forgotten. As she investigated the Photographer's story D'Arcy also recognised a possible connection between the Photographer and her own family.

Natasha Lester has written two other books that I have recently read set largely during the Second World War. In this book she has based her story on the life of Lee Miller and other female photo journalists but it is a work of fiction. As in the other two books there is also a fashion element which contrasts with life in Europe in the early 1940s. A theme throughout the book shows the narcissistic attitude of some men serving in the military towards women working for the war effort and also to female civilians.

Jessica's story is revealed through her own experiences as well as through the discoveries made by D'Arcy. It is a story of friendship and love as well as learning to trust. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.