The Last Light over Oslo
The Last Light Over Oslo by Alix Rickloff follows the harrowing experiences of Florence “Daisy” Harriman, the second female to be appointed as a United States minister, and her niece, Cleo Jaffrey, during the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940.
Daisy Harriman is not a household name but should be. Born to a prominent New York family during the Gilded Age, she used her wealth and intelligence to advance many important causes including women’s rights and social reform. She risked her life as a Red Cross ambulance driver during World War I and later participated in the Versailles Peace Conference. In short, she was not the usual American socialite of the period. Appointed as U.S. Minister to Norway in 1937, Daisy becomes instrumental in the rescue of Norway’s Crown Princess Märtha and her children (including the current King Harald V) from the Nazi invaders.
Harriman is 70 years old when Last Light Over Oslo opens in 1940. With the majority of historical novels helmed by younger women, she makes a compelling and unique central character. To provide a younger point of view, Rickloff includes the fictional character of Cleo Jaffrey, Daisy’s disgraced niece. Cleo is desperately searching for her lover, a musician who disappeared during the Nazi bombing of Warsaw. The safety of Oslo is fleeting as Norway is invaded by Germany and the women are forced to evacuate. In many ways, Cleo’s storyline is superfluous; the shift to her perspective often distracts from the main action, which could easily have filled two novels.
However, The Last Light Over Oslo is a distinctive entry into the ever-growing canon of World War II fiction. The novel will appeal to readers looking for strong, atypical heroines and a unique setting.
