Mary Louise Reynolds (1891-1950), a young expat in Paris, ran in surrealist circles and became a highly avant-garde artist. She joined the war resistance in 1941.

Mary, a war widow, arrived in Paris during the années folles that beat to the rhythms of jazz, Dada, and surrealism. Mary was a major part of Parisian nightlife and intellectual society. In March 1941, after the Nazis had invaded Paris, she joined the resistance with Gabrièle Picabia. Their cover is blown and, after almost being arrested by the Gestapo, Mary secretly returned to the United States. She came back to Paris after the war and founded an art journal. She died of illness shortly thereafter, and Marcel Duchamp attended her funeral. Christine Oddo recounts her story of love and of art in a lively style.