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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I really didn’t think I would like another WW2 historical fiction novel, but I really really did. Even more so because the main character is based on a real woman, Nancy Wake. 4 stars because I had trouble keeping up with the jumping time frames and would have preferred to read the story chronologically, not jumping back and forth in time and I had trouble keeping up with the different characters. Still a great read though!
ModernMrsDarcy.com 2020 Summer Reading Guide
Yep, yet another WWII book based on a real life female. This one is an undercover spy for the British army. You know this book will be good because it is written by ones of the “queens of historical fiction“, Ariel Lawhon.
Yep, yet another WWII book based on a real life female. This one is an undercover spy for the British army. You know this book will be good because it is written by ones of the “queens of historical fiction“, Ariel Lawhon.
Code Name Hélène is one of the most captivating historical novels I’ve read in a long time, and it was my very first book by Ariel Lawhon. What a way to be introduced to her writing—I was completely swept away.
The story is based on the real-life Nancy Wake, a glamorous Australian expat who becomes one of the most daring spies of World War II. Lawhon tells her story in alternating timelines: Nancy’s whirlwind romance with Henri Fiocca, and her high-stakes missions as a resistance fighter in occupied France. The dual narratives kept me hooked, balancing moments of love and tenderness with heart-pounding scenes of danger and defiance.
What impressed me most was how fully alive Nancy felt on the page. She is funny, stubborn, courageous, and vulnerable all at once—a woman who loved fiercely and fought even harder. The romance with Henri gave the novel so much heart, and by the end, I found myself deeply moved by both the love story and the sacrifices she made.
Lawhon’s prose is vivid and immersive, and her research shines through in every detail. For a first-time reader of her work, I was blown away by how she blended history and storytelling so seamlessly.
Code Name Hélène reminded me exactly why I love historical fiction: it’s rich, emotional, and unforgettable. This was an easy five-star read for me, and I can’t wait to pick up more of Ariel Lawhon’s books.
A wonderful story. Nancy Wake is truly an amazing woman. She should be more widely known and appreciated as a strong, courageous, intelligent patronage here. Great writing, adventurous story and so entertaining. Highly recommended.
Maybe i’ve read too many WW2 books similar to this, but it just didn’t stand out enough to get the 4th full star
This book is from the 2020 Summer Reading Guide of Modern Mrs. Darcy. It is a novelization of the life of a real woman who was a resistance fighter in France, a leader of the troops. The book moves back and forth from pre-war journalism assignments that give Nancy her first experiences with the wanton, ruthless cruelty of the Nazi regime and her experiences as a field commander of resistance forces for the months before D-Day and the time leading to France’s liberation. Lawson does a masterful job of believably rendering many aspects of her heroine’s life, and experiences of occupied France. The only fly in the ointment for me was the depiction of Nancy’s female rival, whose single-minded pursuit of Nancy’s husband Henri did not ring true. Marseille, as it turns out, is one of the few entirely fictional characters,and this may be why she does not fit in. But what a story!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced