Code Name Hélène : Inspired by the gripping true story of World War 2 spy Nancy Wake

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Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I love books and movies about women spies. I have read quite a few about WWII and even WWI, though those women are not as well recognized. The story was too long. The first half was dull and boring. For me the story only caught on in the second half of the book

Elizabeth Debicki To Star In World War II Spy Thriller Elizabeth Debicki To Star In World War II Spy Thriller

Wake got her start as an operative after her courtship and 1939 marriage to the French industrialist Henri Fiocca, with whom she lived briefly and happily in Marseille. When the war began and her husband was called to fight, she drove an ambulance to ferry the wounded. And once France fell to Nazi occupation, she aided the escape network of British officer Ian Garrow, whose release she arranged from a concentration camp by bribing a guard. Ultimately, her husband returned from the war, but the Gestapo discovered her Allied loyalties, forcing Wake to flee the country into Britain and leave her beloved husband behind. Nancy Wake was an astonishing New Zealand-born, Australian-bred woman of incredible courage, ingenuity and wit. Her heroic actions during WWII are, in my opinion, too little known. As an Australian, I am delighted to come on board this production as both actress and executive producer to tell her utterly unique story." I love a good historical fiction story and Code Name Hélène did not disappoint. This powerful and thrilling WWII story is fictional but it’s based on the remarkable young socialite Nancy Wake who went off to war while her French husband stayed behind. Lawhon's "Author's Note" relays the immense amount of research she made regarding this memorable woman and why this was written as historical fiction and not as a biography. She recommends reading Nancy Wake's autobiography The White Mouse; and,

I highly recommend this story about sacrifice, betrayal, friendship, loyalty and love for historical fiction and/or WWII fans alike! It was just gibberish at first. A good hour of it. You know, the typical nonsense. ‘The crocodile is thirsty’ or ‘You may now shake the trees and gather the pears’ or ‘Is Mrs. Munchkin ready to play a game of boules in the yonder dark forest?’ Just all that garbage they spout every night as misinformation. But then it came. That one phrase. ‘I wish I was by the seaside at sunrise.’ And everyone knew.” (c)

Code Name Helene - Discussion Questions - Ariel Lawhon Code Name Helene - Discussion Questions - Ariel Lawhon

There is something for everyone here. There’s the tension and thrills as the resistance fighters pit themselves against the German war machine and that’s countered by the touching love story of Nancy and Henri. I’m recommending Code Name Hélène for fans of fast-paced, suspenseful, and gritty historical fiction who are OK with intense situations and graphic descriptions and for readers who make it their mission to read everything Ariel Lawhon writes. I have read many stories of the famous Australian, Nancy Wake; I even have her biography autographed by Nancy herself. I found Code Name Helene to be refreshing and heartwarmingly real. Nancy Wake went through several years of pure hell during WWII but it was when she met her husband-to-be, Henri Fiocca in 1936 that she found, for the first time in her life, true love. Nancy and Henri hadn’t been married long when war was declared and Henri was called up to fight, leaving Nancy home alone. It didn’t take her long to start working for the French Resistance and she eventually became the White Mouse, named because the Germans were unable to find and capture her. Lawhon breathes new life into Nancy Wake’s extraordinary story. Rich and thoroughly researched, an exciting, well-written account of wartime valour and the protagonist’s qualities shine through’ The TimesThis was such an engaging book from beginning to end. It is difficult to say much more without getting into spoiler territory and this book is developed so beautifully with divergent timelines that I don't want to give anything away. It is best discovered as it is read. A few of my favorite passages:

Code Name Hélène - Pursuit Magazine Book Review: Code Name Hélène - Pursuit Magazine

Code Name Helene was a riveting historical fiction account of the life of Nancy Grace Augusta Wake by Ariel Lawhon. Originally from Australia, Wake worked as a freelance journalist for three years for the Hearst Corporation in London and Paris. Later joining the French Resistance during World War II in France, she had many identities including the notorious "White Mouse" as she was known to the Nazis. While Ariel Lawhon states that she wanted to concentrate on what made Nancy Wake one of the most decorated women of the war, not only the fact that she was a spy but a respected military leader during her time with the Maquis. Rousselet, who is producing “Code Name Hélène,” said, “Ariel Lawhon’s novel vividly brings to life the incredible true story of Nancy Wake, whose wit and style were matched only by her bravery, courage and passionate leadership.” I developed a keen admiration for Nancy Wake and her heroics during a time when it seemed heroics were secret, scary, and death defying.

I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” This fully animated portrait of Nancy Wake . . . will fascinate readers of World War II history and thrill fans of fierce, brash, independent women, alike.” This might sound a bit confusing but it works really well as we learn about the woman and what drive her to do the things she does. Code Name Helene is an enchanting story of a beautiful marriage, friendships, war, bravery, tragedy and the sacrifices made by both Helene and Henri. It made the reader once again realize that women, along with men, fought for freedom, for justice for all, and for the ability to throw off oppression and totalitarianism

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon - Goodreads Editions of Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon - Goodreads

This is the next book I won’t be able to stop talking about… so, so good!‘ 5 stars (Goodreads reviewer)

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told in interweaving timelines, the riveting plot is full of descriptive intrigue. I would look forward to listening to this audiobook whenever life called me away; Code Name Hélène is a story about wartime heroine Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, she was born in New Zealand in 1912 and moved to Sydney, Australia when she was a toddler. Nancy left Australia at sixteen, America was her first stop, and then she traveled to France to work as a freelance journalist. Here, Nancy meets Henri Fiocca, he owns a ship building company in Marseilles and has a reputation for being a rich playboy. If you like historical fiction, I think this one you would enjoy! It doesn’t earn the full 5 stars because I think it could have been edited down a bit. This is a historical fiction based on the true story of Nancy Wake (the white mouse)(Helene) and many other aliases. An Australian woman who at one time was on the most wanted list of the Nazi regime in occupied France during WW2. The descriptions of her trials and what she accomplished were mesmerizing and worthy of the highest note and regard.