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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène is a spellbinding and moving story of enduring love, remarkable sacrifice and unfaltering resolve that chronicles the true exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name.
It is 1936 and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper. She is fighting to cover the disturbing reports of violence coming out of Vienna and Berlin when she meets the wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca than the Germans invade France and she takes yet another name: a code name.
As LUCIENNE CARLIER she smuggles people and documents across borders under the guise of an oblivious mistress. Soon enough the Gestapo hears of a female operative with a remarkable ability to evade capture, and Nancy earns a new nickname: THE WHITE MOUSE. But this one carries with it a five million franc bounty on her head. Forced to escape France and leave Henri behind for the safety of both of them, Nancy enters training with the Special Operations Executives, who transform her into Hélène. Finally, with mission in hand, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly MADAM ANDRÉ. She soon becomes one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, known for her ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and her ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces. But no one can protect Nancy if the enemy finds out these four women are one and the same, and the closer to liberation France gets, the more exposed she--and the people she loves--will become.
Review:
Most of the historical fiction I have read about WWII has been about how women suffered while the men went off to battle. But in Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon, it's a woman who flings herself into danger. This would be exciting enough without realizing that this is based on a real-life bad-ass: Australian born, Nancy Wake. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
What I Liked:
Historical Details:I loved all the details of what life was like for a woman in occupied France. From the hardships, to the small luxuries, I came to understand how Nancy lived.
Also explored were also the ways it would have been tough to live as the sole woman in a large group of men during a war. Beside the constant threat of sexual assault, there were other challenges that presented themselves. How does one deal with menstruation, bathing, and relieving themselves? What about clothing? How does one command a group of men when most men thought women were weak and less intelligent? Nancy handles all of these challenges and more.
Characters:
Nancy was one of the most fascinating characters I have encountered in a long while. She was a strong, independent woman at a time when that was frowned upon. She demanded, and received the respect of her male colleagues. But she wasn't perfect. She seemed addicted to the thrill of doing dangerous work. This put the people she loved at risk.
Henri, Nancy's husband, was more than what he seemed to be. Outwardly, he was the typical Frenchman: handsome, charming, and a ladies man. But, as he became more and more intrigued by Nancy, we see he was capable of deep loyalty and love. He also respected Nancy enough to never make the demands that most men would make of their wives at the time.
Depiction of a Strong Marriage:
I loved Nancy and Henry's marriage. They had an equal partnership, which would have been rare in the 1940's. They respected and trusted each other. And they showed their love for each other in lots of little ways. For instance, I loved that Henri made a list of things he knew Nancy couldn't do, and then was determined to teach them to her.
Story:
The story had two timelines that will eventually converge. One part deals with the final days of the war and Nancy's tremendous contributions to the success of the French Resistance. The other part is what lead up to her involvement in the first place. Both are fascinating and create a satisfying conclusion.
Couldn't Put It Down-ness:
This was a thrilling read. I have never heard of Nancy Wake, so I didn't know how this story would end. Nancy's life was in danger throughout the story, and I was compelled to see if she makes it to the end of the war. This made the pages fly by. I didn't notice the length of the book, until it was finished. Nancy was such an interesting, real life person, I wanted to keep reading even more about her!
WARNING: There are depictions of extreme war violence in this book (enough to cause nightmares)!
Rating:
Release Date: March 31st, 2020
Author: Ariel Lawhon
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 464 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: This book is a fitting tribute to Nancy Wake, who we all should know about! If you like Historical Fiction, you will love this book.
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