Code Name Hélène: Book Review
Some books gently guide you through a story while others punch you in the face on the first page. Code Name Hélène is the latter. Not only is this one of my favorite books of all time, but it's also my #1 recommendation for people looking for action-packed historical fiction. Feminist fiction meets WWII novel meets romance read, Code Name Hélène is truly one of the great marvels of contemporary fiction. And any reader who appreciates a strong female protagonist will want to add this book to the top of their TBR list!
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Quick Look
- WWII historical fiction
- fiercely feminist
- action-packed resistance fiction
- incredible love story
Published February 2, 2021
Publisher's Synopsis
Based on the thrilling real-life story of a socialite spy and astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII—from the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and The Frozen River.
Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène is a spellbinding and moving story of enduring love, remarkable sacrifice and unfaltering resolve that chronicles the true exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name.
It is 1936 and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris 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.
As Lucienne Carlier, Nancy smuggles people and documents across the border. Her success and her remarkable ability to evade capture earns her the nickname The White Mouse from the Gestapo. With a five million franc bounty on her head, Nancy is forced to escape France and leave Henri behind. When she enters training with the Special Operations Executives in Britain, her new comrades are instructed to call her Helene. And finally, with mission in hand, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly Madam Andree, where she claims her place as one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, armed with a ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and the ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces.
But no one can protect Nancy if the enemy finds out these four women are one and the same, and the closer to liberation France gets, the more exposed she—and the people she loves—become.
My Review
Let's face it. Not every book is made for every reader. And some books are meant to be read by certain people. I'm 100% convinced that Code Name Hélène was written specifically for people like me (and you if you're crazy about historical fiction, too). By far the best World War II novel I’ve read, Code Name Hélène literally has something for everyone. Romance, espionage, intrigue, fashion, Paris, murder, combat...you name it, this book has it!
One of the things I loved most about Code Name Hélène is the fact that Lawhon creates two competing storylines. Flashing back and forth in time, readers get glimpses of Nancy's life before and during the war. We fall in love with Henri alongside Nancy and feel her pain feels having left him to do her part in the war, torn between being in the action rather than at home in the arms of Henri. This creates tension that's too compelling to put down. Readers experience all the highs and lows of Nancy's life during this period, right up to the bitter end when she learns the truth about the ravages of war on one's country and one's life.
It wasn’t simply the plot with this one though; I feel hard for Nancy and for Lawhon’s writing style. Nancy’s razor-sharp tongue jumps off the page, exploding to life from the first few lines. I listened to this audiobook and immediately upon finishing knew I needed to own a forever copy for my shelves. I couldn’t break away from this novel, completely engrossed from the get-go. This is the most badass WWII heroine I’ve met on my never-ending journey to devour all things historical fiction. I want to know this character IRL. Hell, I want to be this character. The fact that the book is based on a true story makes this accomplishment even greater. Bravo, Ms. Lawhon. Bravo, Nancy.
My Rating
Finishing Code Name Hélène left a hole in my TBR that I've struggled to fill since. I read A LOT of WWII fiction, and none have been as good as this novel, in my opinion. It's hard to top perfection, and that's just what Code Name Hélène is in my opinion. If only we could all be a little bit more like Nancy, throwing caution to the wind as we fly through the night waiting for our parachutes to open, hoping that this will be the mission that makes a difference. Trust me, y'all. This book is an adventure you don't want to miss.
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