French Seduction tells the disturbingly beautiful story of a Jewish woman who, at the behest of her father, journeys to and eventually settles in Paris, France. The mere mention of Paris immediately conjure up visions of sophistication and glamour. Another vision emerges here, however - a vision of a country that is anti- nearly everything that is not French. During World War II, Vichy France became a haven for Anti-Semitism because of the country’s complicity with the Nazis.

Lipton describes the delectable aspects of Paris, making it seem as light and airy - and therefore innocuous - as one of their famous pastries. However, despite the wealth of history and beauty in the country, the insidious underbelly remains. One cannot help but wonder how a Jewish woman could make peace with the country that made a pact with the devil Hitler.

The intricacies of Lipton’s ability are profound, for she almost makes the decision to remain in this faux paradise, but only almost. On that final point, the book falls a bit flat. How one can find a balance between such disparate ideals eludes me. Nonetheless, French Seduction is a valuable history lesson for all who read it.