be_like_the_squirrel_girl's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
taylorretter's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
allysther's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
thelexingtonbookie's review
5.0
Y'all know I love historical fiction, but THIS is why I stick around in the WWII genre- because women like Nancy deserve to have their stories told. Lawhon's depiction of Wake's time over the course of the WWII years is fascinating, fast paced, and laced with grit, humor, and gumption. She's a powerhouse of a woman, dressed in her red lipstick. I listened to the audiobook, and loved Nancy's narration ( although the timeline and her code names do get tricky to follow this way.) I've been short on 5-star reads this year, but this book deserves it and all the recommendations.
drb5232's review
4.0
This was an incredible story! I had never heard of Nancy Wake before reading this, but she was such a badass!! I’m still in awe that this is based on true events. I do feel like it could have been edited down a tad more, but overall, it was inspiring and will stay with me.
carpoolbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the reasons I love historical fiction is due to the true-ish nature of the stories. I’m in awe of stories about real people who push boundaries and defy expectations through pure grit and determination. Nancy Wake is one such person.
Nancy, although she goes by many names throughout the book, was a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised expat journalist who joined the French Resistance and later the British SOE – Special Operations Executive – during World War II.
The plot has a heavy dose of war-time operations but also, a good bit of time is dedicated to love and solid friendships. Some of the Nazi scenes are difficult to stomach because they were written based on real-life scenarios. A huge credit to Lawhon (author) as there was clearly an immense amount of research that backs up this story.
I really enjoyed all the characters and thought they were perfectly fleshed out. Nancy was occasionally over drawn to the point of caricature (which annoys me) but I also think it was perhaps necessary to tell her story.
My main gripe: The story time-jumps between 1936 - 1944 and the flip flop between the two timelines was often confusing. The author refers to people in both timelines but at different stages of Nancy’s life. Many times I found myself wondering if I’d “missed something.”
If you like historical fiction, I think this is one you would enjoy! I don’t award it a full 5⭐️ because of the confusing time jump as well as the beginning part being a bit long.
P.S. Do not read the comments by the author contained in the epilogue until you finish the book. But definitely read them!
Audible note: I listened to the audio version for a very small portion of this book but so glad I did. I loved hearing the correct pronunciations!
Hélène —> el-lin
Maquisards —> maa-kee-zar
…just to name two
Description:
In 1936 Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Marseille who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper 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. Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène follows Nancy's transformation from journalist into 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 with power comes notoriety, and no matter how careful Nancy is to protect her identity, the risk of exposure is great—for herself and for those she loves.
One of the reasons I love historical fiction is due to the true-ish nature of the stories. I’m in awe of stories about real people who push boundaries and defy expectations through pure grit and determination. Nancy Wake is one such person.
Nancy, although she goes by many names throughout the book, was a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised expat journalist who joined the French Resistance and later the British SOE – Special Operations Executive – during World War II.
The plot has a heavy dose of war-time operations but also, a good bit of time is dedicated to love and solid friendships. Some of the Nazi scenes are difficult to stomach because they were written based on real-life scenarios. A huge credit to Lawhon (author) as there was clearly an immense amount of research that backs up this story.
I really enjoyed all the characters and thought they were perfectly fleshed out. Nancy was occasionally over drawn to the point of caricature (which annoys me) but I also think it was perhaps necessary to tell her story.
My main gripe: The story time-jumps between 1936 - 1944 and the flip flop between the two timelines was often confusing. The author refers to people in both timelines but at different stages of Nancy’s life. Many times I found myself wondering if I’d “missed something.”
If you like historical fiction, I think this is one you would enjoy! I don’t award it a full 5⭐️ because of the confusing time jump as well as the beginning part being a bit long.
P.S. Do not read the comments by the author contained in the epilogue until you finish the book. But definitely read them!
Audible note: I listened to the audio version for a very small portion of this book but so glad I did. I loved hearing the correct pronunciations!
Hélène —> el-lin
Maquisards —> maa-kee-zar
…just to name two
Description:
In 1936 Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Marseille who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper 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. Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène follows Nancy's transformation from journalist into 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 with power comes notoriety, and no matter how careful Nancy is to protect her identity, the risk of exposure is great—for herself and for those she loves.
caitiebutler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kaileyrking's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0