This is one of the book releases that I am most excited about from this year. The Last Masterpiece is set primarily in Europe during World War II, and it follows two women through their journeys across Italy to protect Italian art treasures from being shipped to Germany. Both women are involved in the preservation of art, in some capacity, however, the origins and motivations of their work are different.

Many stories have been told about the Monuments Men who helped recover many European masterpieces, I've heard very little about the women who helped with these endeavors. While this is historical fiction, much of the book is rooted in facts that are well-researched.

Much of the book is set in Florence in familiar piazzas and squares, though you'll start your journey further south with Josie as she makes her way to Florence. If you've been in Florence or Tuscany, you can picture the places that Morelli describes. If you haven't been to Italy yet, the book provides hauntingly beautiful descriptions that will evoke your emotions when you cross the thresholds of the places that hold these masterpieces. Indeed, it may also help explain why some churches feel like they are "missing something" when you visit.

I appreciate that you can see one of Morelli's main characters, Eva, wrestle with the cognitive dissonance with what she has been tasked to do and why and what she is seeing play out before her eyes. Too often, I think we gloss over the effects of misinformation, disinformation, and the very human reality of trying to discern what is right. This book does a tremendous job of requiring the main characters to live "in the grey" and determine what is real.

Morelli is a master of contrasting the lives of two people and seamlessly switching between times and locations. The Last Masterpiece is no exception. While the juxtaposition between Eva and Josie's experiences could not be more different, this is a beautifully woven tale of how how and why we are able to appreciate so many of Italy's treasures today.

An intriguing story of the valiant efforts of so many to save the treasures of Italy as the Allied forces moved into the German occupied territory.
Josie impetuously signs up to be a WAC and is assigned as a stenographer to a Monuments Man.
Eva persuades her father that she can take her brother’s place as he is waiting for conscription in the German army. She becomes a photographer for the art institute that is recording the removal of works of art from Italy.
The lives of these two women are absorbed with saving the art and each is forced to make important decisions that will impact the rest of their lives.
The research for this book was impeccable. As an art historian, Morelli provides so much insight into the art and architecture of Italy and a great sadness for what was lost.
Recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially concerning WWII.

The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli is a World War II tale about the men and women assigned to preserve art masterpieces, including architecture and manuscripts. Both sides had them. The goals were the same but the end destinations and the motivations of the governments were vastly different. Josie was a stenographer but she had been working this detail for most of her time in the service and she had become somewhat of an expert. Her heart bled at what she saw many days, between the devastation and the death. Eva was a photographer, sent by her father to photograph the art as it was packaged to be sent away. He was in charge of the storage of art in the mines at Altuassee in Austria. Now it is time for her brother, Gerhard, to don a uniform and fight it the war. He was not suited for it and she begged her father to let her go instead. Josie grew up in the slums in New Haven, her mother a cleaner. She worked as a typist in the art museum. Her best friend was Dot, a rich girl, also from New Haven who convinced her to sign up for The WACs. They were among the first women to be sent into combat in Europe. Josie wasn’t fighting with a gun but she was fighting, none the less.

Both great characters, written about in depth, with great care by Morelli. The plot was simple: save the art. It became more difficult when motives were uncovered and personal lives entered into it all. People are always the unknown quantity, aren’ they? The story was magnificent as the works of are were described, the architectural wonders uncovered, and the motives sussed out. It is so sad when a government lies to its people. But, above all else, the art, the culture, must be saved. This is a work of fiction but it is factual and personal and heart-breaking, all in detail. Many also mourned the loss of much of the art. All transmitted perfectly in this masterpiece of a story, about both sides trying to save the art.

I was invited to read a free e-arc of The Last Masterpiece by William Morrow, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #WilliamMorrow #LauraMorelli #TheLastMasterpiece

⛲️ Book Review: The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli @lauramorelliphd ⛲️


The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli is a historical fiction that goes into the past and takes a look at the biggest art theft of history. Based on true facts and some real people, this book is a treat for art connoisseurs.

Eva and Josephine are both of our main characters. The difference between both of them is that they work for two different sides. The common factor between them is that the intent is to save the precious Italian art from the war. Set in mainly in Florence, this book gives us a glimpse of the extraordinary people who fought to save the precious masterpieces.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author is an art historian, and her research with the descriptions transported me to Florence. I could imagine the awe and horror when everyone who was trying to save these masterpieces might have felt to see the destruction or in their presence. War is a destroyer no matter which side wins. Right or wrong side still destroys precious things. It's for the reader to decide which side was right.

Thank you, William Morrow @williammorrowbooks
and Netgalley for this book.

I'm absolutely loved The Last Masterpiece!

Told from the viewpoints of a German photographer and an American stenographer as part of the WACs as they both hunt and try to get these priceless masterpieces in Florence out of the hands of the other side.

Inspired by the true story of the Monuments Women (Fifth Army WACs) and the looted art collections this is a fascinating book. The author's note at the end is phenomenal and I loved the view from both sides of the "preservation" of the art in Italy during WWII.

I'm learning so much reading this and I'm glad I started it on Italy even if I was only in the northern region on this trip! I love that while this is WWII historical fiction, it is such a unique book and in want more about these WACs!

Josephine Evans of the Yale Art Gallery and Eva Brunner, photographer, of Austria are called to Italy by their respective sides in WWII, to catalogue and photograph the Italian masterpieces in Florence and other parts of Italy that will be crated and sent to hiding places for safety.

Eva becomes disillusioned when she realizes what will really happen to the art work taken by the Nazis and hidden all over Italy. Josephine wonders where many of the masterpieces are hidden by the Germans before the Allied forces get there.

The two women catalog and photograph, but what happens in the end takes them to different places psychologically, Josephine to delight when Florence regains most of its art work, and Eva to a decision that is mystifying, at least to this reader.

I learned a lot about the history of the war in Florence as it related to the pilfering and destruction of works of art. I also was amazed that both sides were responsible for some of the bombing that destroyed buildings and artifacts. I was dismayed to learn that the Nazis destroyed all the old bridges, works of art, over the Arno River in Florence, except for the Ponte Vecchio.

The effects of war was brought home in this excellent historical novel written by an art historian and historical novelist.

Art historian Morelli has crafted an intricate tale of historical fiction, told from the perspectives of two women: one, Josie, an Allied WAC, the other, Eva, an Axis photographer.
Josie joins the WACs when her best friend does, and her skills at typing and dictation land her a job assisting the Allied Monument Men and Woman, who are trying to trace the Renaissance paintings and sculptures that have been stolen from the Uffizi and other museums in Italy. Some have been stowed in various castles and private residences in the countryside, but others have been spirited away by the Germans.
Eva believes that the photographs she takes of masterpieces of art are critical to the mission of protecting these Italian treasures. Only as the war is drawing to a close does she become convinced that her fellow Germans are looting these irreplaceable works. Now that she has become embarrassed over her role in this deceit, how can she possibly atone?

Two women on opposites sides of the war, each with the same goal - to save the art of Italy - but which side of history are they on?

My take: As an art lover, and as someone who has read and enjoyed Morelli’s past works, I was excited to receive an advanced copy of The Last Masterpiece. Her reasearch and love for Italian art certainly shines through. However, with all the characters and changing locations, it was hard for me to keep everything straight, and the characters didn’t feel as well developed as in past books. Additionally, while this novel focuses on recovering looted Italian art, I didn’t get the descriptions and appreciation for the art like in her previous works. It just seemed a never-ending repetitive list of art being moved, searched for, etc.

I did enjoy the novel, but I’m not sure someone without a little knowledge of WWII art history would.

During World War II, two girls destiny is pivoted towards two things, for Eva a chance to photograph and record artwork before it is moved to a safer place - by the Germans,and Josie joins the American women's' army and learns stenography and helps to protect and record famous buildings and works of art.

Eva is excited as she believes her work helps the Reich and that the Germans will protect the artwork as they move it to a safer place, away from the Allies who are bombing Europe.

Josie believes she is protecting artwork from the German army, for she and others believe the Germans will pillage and steal artwork to take it home to Germany and hide it.

You will have to read the book to find out about the girls' progress and adventures as they survive the war.

Having read Morelli's past work, I was beyond excited to receive an advance copy of The Last Masterpiece. The author has a beautiful way of crafting history into story and exploring art through fiction. I loved the exploration of the "preservation of art" on both sides of the war. I also really enjoyed a WWII novel that was almost entirely set in Italy -- this isn't a setting that is highlighted as frequently within the genre and I thought that made for an interesting and informative read.

However, I had a difficult time staying engaged for the entirety of the book. The main protagonists felt very similar to me and I occasionally struggled to differentiate them. I've loved Morelli's past novels and while this one had the same attention to detail and gorgeous writing style, unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with it as deeply as I'd hoped to.

The Last Masterpiece is a historical novel set in Italy during the Nazi occupation when the Germans were hiding great works of art for "safety". The story is told by alternating chapters between the two main characters; Eva Brunner, a German photographer, and Josephine Evans, an American army stenographer. It is not until the last few chapters of the book that the two main characters meet and start working together toward the same goal. I enjoyed reading the detailed description of Italy's landscape, buildings, and artwork. This is a fascinating book about brave American and British men and women, mostly museum curators, art historians, and artists who risked their lives on the battlefields to save great works of art for future generations. Thanks to author Laura Morelli, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A compelling look at WW2 from those who fought to protect the art in Italy. I learned a lot while being entertained. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Last Masterpiece by Lisa Morelli takes her reader on a trip through WWII and the juxtaposition of women who worked on either side of the art preservation process in Italy. One believes in Hitler, the other in the USA. Superbly crafted, this novel shows the extreme care both sides take in the acquisition process, documentation, and storage of all levels of art available in Italy (and beyond) during the war. It delves deeply into the world of these women and their respective families, reasons for joining the cause, and the outcome of their lives in the art work. The propaganda of war is a heavy force at play for both sides during this journey of documentation, preservation, and loyalty. Any history enthusiast, art lover, or WWII student should absolutely read this novel.

This book follows two characters in WWII Italy. Eva, a German, works with the Nazis to photograph and document Florence's greatest artwork. Josephine, an American, joins the war effort and ends up working as a typist for the monuments men. Theirs travels lead them across war torn Italy.

I hate to say it, but this book was boring. The two main characters blended together. At times I had to remind myself which point of view I was reading. Each chapter lists works of Florentine art, which grew extremely tedious as the book progressed. I found myself glossing over long and repetitious passages that glorified Florence and it's artists. Don't get me wrong, Florentine art is amazing, but this book tried too hard to convince me. I lost track of how many characters were speechless, stunned or fell to their knees after viewing a masterpiece. Editing out some of the repetitious material and giving the characters distinct personalities would have gone a long way. Overall, 2 out 5 stars.

This story is set in Italy, primarily Florence, during WWII. There are two narrators, Eva, a young German woman and Josie, a WAC. They have a common mission, to save the art treasures of Italy. Of course they are on opposing sides and think they need to save the art from each other. Eva is a photographer for the Kunsthistoriches Institute, initially she is photographing works of art for records but her work is eventually used for propaganda. Josie, an ace stenographer, is assigned to the Monuments Men where she gets a crash course in art history. It is interesting to see how the women evolve in their appreciation of both art and their commitment to it.
It is also a nice view of being on opposite sides, the right and wrong sides, of history.
This is a review of an ARC provided by NetGalley.

No one can write about Florentine art history like Laura Morelli. Her knowledge art in Florence through the ages is second to none, but none of that overwhelms the story she's telling. In this case, it's the story of two women on opposite sides of WWII but with the same goal of saving the art of Florence from being destroyed. Morelli paints a vivid picture of Florence before and during the war--one that makes me nostalgic for the pre-war Florence we'll never see.

In the summer of 1943, Eva Brunner is taking photographs of Nazi-looted art hidden in the salt mines of the Austria. Across the ocean in Connecticut, Josephine Evans is working as a humble typist at the Yale Art Gallery.
When both women are called to Italy to contribute to the war effort, neither imagines she will hold the fate of some of the world’s greatest masterpieces torn from the Uffizi Galleries and other Florentine art collections in her hands. But as Italy turns from ally to enemy and Hitler’s plan to destroy irreplaceable monuments and works of art becomes frighteningly clear, each woman’s race against the clock—and against one another—might demand more than they were prepared to give.

Inspired by the incredible true story of the Monuments Women, the Fifth Army WACs, and the looted Florentine art collections during World War II, the latest historical novel by author and art historian Laura Morelli plunges readers into the heart of war-torn Italy. I have heard of the Monuments Men, but this story was a heart-stopping story of the Monuments Women that I had not read of before. I loved the characters, and it is very obvious that the author did a lot of research to make the story as historically accurate as possible. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request to read this book. Now, I have books to read about from another WWII author.

art-crimes, art-history, art-theft, dictators, salt-mines, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, stenographer, photographer, dual-narrations, thriller, WW2, historical-fiction*****

I was unaware of the salt mines in Austria, only Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines in Poland (World Heritage sites). Lots to be learned as a result of the author's research and gift of storytelling. The story centers on the paintings that were stolen by dictators during WW2 and places several women (an American, a German, and an Italian) who were there to document and help to preserve those wonders under conditions that were hazardous to them in many ways. It is very well written with smooth and moving prose as well as very definitive portrayals of both major and minor characters.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from William Morrow/William Morrow Paperbacks via NetGalley. Thank you!

The first book l recall perusing as a tiny girl was my mother’s Phaidon book of Botticelli’s work and I fell in love with Venus rising from the Sea, the Primavera, and his other masterpieces. (When I finally visited Florence in my early 20s and saw Venus in the Uffizi, I wept.)

At the age of three, when my parents took me to the National Gallery in Washington D.C., I ran up to a round canvas I recognized, gesturing wildly and shouted “Mommy, we have that Botticelli at home!” We can only hope the guard didn’t think my parents were either forgers or art thieves.

Because great art belongs to ALL of us. As in, it shouldn’t live in someone’s rent controlled apartment in the North Bronx where no one else can enjoy it.

THE LAST MASTERPIECE hits me where I live.

I also seem to recall my first Art History teacher explaining that the painters of the Italian Renaissance developed the depth perception we refer to as “perspective.” The concept is often described as a pair of railroad tracks angling toward a single converging point at the horizon line of the canvas.

In her latest opus, THE LAST MASTERPIECE, historical novelist Laura Morelli returns to her beloved Italy. Her canvas is a landscape: the devastation wrought across Italy by the players involved in the Second World War. From the venal Axis Powers to the Anglo-American Allied Forces to the Italian partigiani, everyone has a stake in grabbing many of the greatest works of art (particularly those in Florence and the surrounding areas of Tuscany) that were created during the Italian Renaissance before they are bombed and shelled out of existence. Some of the characters, such as the famous “Monuments Men” of the US and UK armed forces have been assigned to procure and protect these priceless works of art. Other characters have motives that are far less altruistic.

Morelli’s narrative is provided primarily through the lenses of two young women on opposite, if parallel, tracks; and we sense from the get-go that they will ultimately converge on the author’s horizon line—the legendary Altausee Salt Mines near Vienna—where the Nazis are storing the stolen treasures they have looted from Italy.
Eva Brunner, an Austrian fraulein fotografin (“lady photographer”), who believes she is doing a great thing for the Reich realizes the scope of her assignment and respects the art, but must first earn the respect of her male peers and superiors. Her mother was an esteemed journalist and her father is in charge of the Altausee endeavor. Her teenage brother Gerhard longs to enlist. Few families are more pro-Hitler.

Josephine (Josie) Evans is a working class stiff from New Haven, where her mother toils as a cleaning lady at Yale. Prompted by her pal Dot, the pair of young women—one blond, rich and glamorous; the other who goes by the nickname “Mouse”—join the WACS, and eventually end up in Italy. Dot is assigned to a communications unit, while Josie/Mouse, who fails to understand the relevance of preserving centuries-old art and architecture when people are being shelled, is a stenographer assigned to the Monuments division.

Morelli meticulously limns the atmosphere; from the earth shattering sounds of shelling, to the sight of crumbling, burnt-out husks and facades of fifteenth-century homes and fairytale bridges, to the texture of the brushstrokes on a masterwork of the High Renaissance, to the aromas of a nonna’s kitchen on Christmas. There are many historical novels set during WWII; however, I can’t recall any that take us to Florence. I’m grateful to Morelli for portraying this city in a way we have never seen it in current histfic; and in a way we can scarcely imagine it today.

Amid the rampant misogyny of the era, as the chapters alternate between Josie’s narrative and Eva’s, allegiances become confused and begin to blur. Beliefs are questioned. The two railroad tracks begin to get closer to one another. A picture that begins with two conflicting perspectives starts to merge toward a single moral truth as we converge toward the inevitable horizon line.

With a narrative like this one where it’s tempting to have a “good people on both sides” situation, as a Jewish reader, I wondered how Morelli would handle things without making apologies for her characters or offending those whose families endured Nazi brutality. Because the narrative is based on historical events, the author found a way to carefully thread the needle.

Of course saving the Italian people from the Nazis is imperative: that’s a given. But Josie (and Eva)’s respective journeys (and perspectives) ultimately meet: with the realization that to deprive a people, a nation, a culture of their ART is to deprive them of their history and their humanity. It’s NOT for someone else to ride in and take it, to steal and claim it for themselves.

As one of Morelli’s characters in THE LAST MASTERPIECE says fiercely “Look, none of us, nobody is going to live forever. But we’re here for the things that will live forever. We’re here for the idea of family, not just our own families. We’re here for freedom, and not just our own. And these . . . these musty old paintings as you call them, they’re the living embodiment of that idea. They’re not just for the Italians. They’re for all of us.”

~Leslie Carroll

** I received a complimentary copy of THE LAST MASTERPIECE from NetGalley without compensation
My review is entirely my own opinion.

Phenomenal art history of the men & women who saved the world’s most iconic art from destruction during WWII.
The dual narratives of Josie, WAC from US, and Eva, a German photographer, develop the suspenseful plot of saving the art history treasures of Florence and Italy from destruction. Morelli has a brilliant technique of weaving her art history into the world and creating a love of the artist and the artwork. I enjoyed reading the female protagonist’s perspective on the Monuments Men program. I also liked the way Eva’s story showed the cult like following of his political machinations. And I think the roles of women in war time are highlighted by Paloma, the Florentine woman who helped the Allies and befriended Eva too.
Fabulous novel and engaging history!!
The history of the salt mines in Austria had been mentioned in other books but I learned more about the scope of the work here.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC.