A review by ceeemvee
Nancy Wake by Peter FitzSimons

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!

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