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farmer_jo's review against another edition
4.0
I find Peter FitzSimons’ books easy to read & engaging & Nancy Wake’s story was well told. From humble beginnings, the “White Mouse” became a fierce & tireless enemy of the Nazis. The missing star is because I’ve only recently read A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell, which I found totally engrossing.
lolo007's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating story of a truly amazing woman. The tone of the book is a bit too casual for me, considering the subject matter though.
wildbecs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
sophward's review against another edition
5.0
What a hero. She was an absolute HBIC. I learnt so much from this.
bandkh1's review against another edition
3.0
The book, "Nancy Wake" by Peter Fitzsimons, while interesting, was a bit hard to believe in places. It was a typical "misunderstood, spirited girl runs away to find her true self" sort of thing and, if you can believe it, her true self included a semi virtuous, Parisian life lived mostly in bars with crusty old journalists until she met her one and only love, a fabulously wealthy playboy who, naturally, adored her and showered her with all she could want.
I have no doubt that the facts of the book are accurate but I think the writer must have been a bit smitten with his subject to write about her exploits in such revered tones. To me, she didn't seem to be a particularly nice person, was a bit rough around the edges, didn't have many friends to speak of and, although everyone spoke of her bravery in "glowing" terms, it was never clearly explained what made her tick. I never felt I got to know the real Nancy Wake and that was what I wanted from this book.
Still, it was a good, if not great read.
I have no doubt that the facts of the book are accurate but I think the writer must have been a bit smitten with his subject to write about her exploits in such revered tones. To me, she didn't seem to be a particularly nice person, was a bit rough around the edges, didn't have many friends to speak of and, although everyone spoke of her bravery in "glowing" terms, it was never clearly explained what made her tick. I never felt I got to know the real Nancy Wake and that was what I wanted from this book.
Still, it was a good, if not great read.
stephee's review against another edition
4.0
Peter FitzSimons spins a good yarn. Unfortunately, this is the good and bad thing about this book. Good because it makes what could be quite dry material very readable, and bad because one is never quite sure how much of the story is being exaggerated for effect - not really an ideal situation for a biography! I've given this four stars, however, because Nancy Wake was an awesome human being.
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/