⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 stars)
Erika Robuck brings to life the extraordinary true story of Dickey Chapelle in The Last Assignment, and what a life it was. Chapelle’s daring career as a war correspondent—charging straight into combat zones when most would run the other way—makes for a fascinating and often humbling read. It’s the kind of story that leaves you looking at your own life and thinking… well, maybe I’ll just stay safely on my couch with a good book.
Robuck does a wonderful job capturing both the grit and the inner drive of a woman who refused to live small. There’s a strong sense of purpose woven throughout the narrative, a reminder that while Chapelle’s calling was wildly adventurous, we’re all given our own unique path to walk.
That said, there were moments where the sentence structure pulled me out of the story a bit—I found myself wanting to take a red pen to a few passages. Still, the strength of the storytelling and the sheer force of Chapelle’s life easily carry the book.
After finishing this one, I’m eager to pick up Chapelle’s own memoir, What’s a Woman Doing Here?, to hear her story in her own words—although I understand the publisher curtailed parts of her account, deeming some events too disturbing to include.
A compelling portrait of courage, conviction, and one woman’s refusal to be anything but extraordinary.
** Thanks to Edelweiss Plus and Sourcebooks Landmark for a comp. Opinions are my own.