Last Train Out

Last Train Out is a 1940 thriller set against the backdrop of pre-World War II Europe and the early stages of the conflict. The story centers on British diplomat Sir Phillip Mildenhall and his encounters with Leopold Benjamin, a Jewish banker and art collector in Vienna. The narrative follows the characters through multiple European locations, including Vienna during the Anschluss and Paris before its fall to German forces. A significant portion of the plot involves the effort to save valuable artworks from Nazi confiscation and help Austrian Jews escape their increasingly dangerous homeland. The novel stands out among Oppenheim's extensive bibliography for its progressive portrayal of Jewish characters and its direct confrontation of the mounting tensions in late-1930s Europe. It combines elements of spy fiction, political thriller, and wartime drama to capture a pivotal moment in 20th-century history.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this 1940 spy novel. Only 8 ratings appear on Goodreads, with an average of 3.5 stars. Readers note the book features Oppenheim's signature suspense and international intrigue themes. Some readers comment that it provides insight into attitudes about Nazi Germany just before WWII. Several mention valuing the historical snapshot of British society in 1940. Main criticisms focus on slow pacing compared to modern thrillers and dated writing style. A few readers found the plot predictable and character development lacking depth. Source ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (8 ratings, 1 review) Amazon: No reviews available Internet Archive: No reviews available Note: This appears to be one of Oppenheim's less-read works, making it difficult to gauge broader reader sentiment. Most online copies are archived scans of the original 1940 publication.

The Seventh Cross by Anna Seghers Chronicles seven concentration camp escapees in Nazi Germany, portraying the same urgent atmosphere of escape and survival present in Last Train Out.

Night in Lisbon by Erich Maria Remarque Depicts refugees attempting to flee Europe during World War II through a tale of stolen identity papers and last-chance departures.

The World at Night by Alan Furst Follows a film producer in occupied Paris who becomes entangled in resistance activities and escape networks.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Weaves together the stories of a blind French girl and a German boy during World War II while incorporating themes of art preservation and wartime survival.

The Polish Officer by Alan Furst Chronicles a Polish military cartographer working with the resistance to preserve cultural artifacts and intelligence during the Nazi occupation.

🔹 E. Phillips Oppenheim wrote over 100 novels during his career, earning him the nickname "The Prince of Storytellers" in the early 1900s 🔹 The Anschluss (Nazi annexation of Austria) depicted in the book occurred on March 12, 1938, resulting in the immediate persecution of Vienna's 200,000 Jewish residents 🔹 The plot's focus on art preservation mirrors real historical events - the Nazis looted an estimated 20% of Europe's artworks during WWII 🔹 Despite being British, Oppenheim wrote this novel while living in exile in France, having fled his home on the French Riviera just before the Nazi invasion 🔹 The author's portrayal of Jewish characters was notably progressive for 1940, when many contemporary writers still employed negative stereotypes