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ceeemvee's review against another edition
5.0
Truth be told, I had this book in my library for quite a while before I had the chance to read the soon to be released historical fiction, Code Name Hélène. It was a Book Bub deal, which I just can’t say no to! So many books, so little time!
After reading this biography, I wavered with feeling the need to revise my review of Code Name Hélène. In the end, I have decided to let it stand on its own merits, as historical fiction.
I will say that if you get a chance to read either, read this one, or at least read it first. FitzSimons extensively interviewed Nancy, and his book is based on her version of events, in her own words. She was such an amazing woman, it’s hard to comprehend the need to fictionalize parts of her life. When I read Code Name Hélène, I thought the fictional parts would be limited to things such as conversations or feelings in order to tell the story in a more emotive manner. However, Code Name Hélène adds fictional characters that change the story completely, as well as fictionalizing situations so they no longer resemble actual events. In the end, I feel Nancy Wake was larger than life to begin with and didn’t need to be sensationalized. What an incredibly amazing woman!
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
After reading this biography, I wavered with feeling the need to revise my review of Code Name Hélène. In the end, I have decided to let it stand on its own merits, as historical fiction.
I will say that if you get a chance to read either, read this one, or at least read it first. FitzSimons extensively interviewed Nancy, and his book is based on her version of events, in her own words. She was such an amazing woman, it’s hard to comprehend the need to fictionalize parts of her life. When I read Code Name Hélène, I thought the fictional parts would be limited to things such as conversations or feelings in order to tell the story in a more emotive manner. However, Code Name Hélène adds fictional characters that change the story completely, as well as fictionalizing situations so they no longer resemble actual events. In the end, I feel Nancy Wake was larger than life to begin with and didn’t need to be sensationalized. What an incredibly amazing woman!
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
sharon_geitz's review against another edition
3.0
I must confess I found Fitzsimons prose and tone truly dreadful, which surprised me considering he has several best selling titles to his name. This was an okay read, about an interesting woman and piece of history, but not a great book.
laurajuliff's review against another edition
Kept talking about Anne of Green Gables but the writing brought to mind the Emily books. Mr Carpenter would say that he should mind the italics, both metaphorical and literal.
sincerelymlg's review against another edition
5.0
This is a biography... its actually pretty good. I had to skim most of it for my project, but I felt so guilty doing it because I actually felt like I was jumping ahead in a book that has this huge climactic end!
eileen9311's review against another edition
5.0
The author begins with a quote from Anne of Green Gables, and goes on to say that it ranks with Anne of the Island as Nancy Wake’s two favorite books. Since “Anne” is very high on my list as well, I was instantly intrigued. I had read a review of Nancy Wake in which the writer complained that the author’s writing skills were lacking. I disagree, and the audio version is particularly fascinating as the narrator does a great job with the various accents! This is the biography of an Australian resistance fighter who found herself at the top of the Gestapo’s most wanted list. Nancy was living a bohemian existence, working as a journalist in Paris during the years leading up to the war. After France was occupied by the Germans she became an integral leader of the French Resistance. It’s difficult to do justice to this beautiful, hard drinking, strong minded, outspoken, fearless creature! I was mesmerized throughout, perhaps partly because her exploits were so very far beyond anything I could ever imagine undertaking.
td3's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best biography I have ever read about a woman. Nancy Wake was daring and courageous and went above and beyond to help defeat the Germans during World War II. Also known as "the white mouse" by the Germans, Nancy was awarded several honors after the war. After the war, her life was not near as exciting, but I still hated to see the story of her life come to an end.