Book Review: Liberation by Imogen Kealey
About the Book:
The must-read thriller inspired by the true story of Nancy Wake, the most decorated servicewoman of the Second World War, soon to be a major blockbuster film.
To the Allies she was a fearless freedom fighter, special operations super spy, a woman ahead of her time. To the Gestapo she was a ghost, a shadow, the most wanted person in the world with a five-million Franc bounty on her head.
Her name was Nancy Wake.
Now, for the first time, the roots of her legend are told in a thriller about one woman’s incredible quest to save the man she loves, turn the tide of the war, and take brutal revenge on those who have wronged her.
My Thoughts:
I had such high hopes for this novel but after only a few chapters, it was apparent these hopes were to be well and truly dashed. The novel reads like the ‘Hollywood Blockbuster’ it is promoted as becoming. All action, crass conversation, an overabundance of swearing and lewd intention, with little to no depth of feeling.
The French men are depicted as animals and Nancy herself appears as a cross between Wonder Woman and Jessica Rabbit. As an ode to Nancy Wake, a truly inspirational and brave woman, this is a woeful attempt and a bitter pill to swallow.
The only redemption offered is within the historical note at the end where the authors outline Nancy’s true actions against those they embellished and invented. It is my hope that readers interested in the life of this remarkable woman may seek out further reading in order to garner a much clearer and less debased and sensationalised view of Nancy Wake.
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a review copy of Liberation.
About the Author:
‘Imogen Kealey’ is a pseudonym for Darby Kealey and Imogen Robertson.
Darby Kealey is a writer and producer, based in Los Angeles. His credits include the critically acclaimed series Patriot for Amazon, as well as a number of film and television projects currently in development. His feature script Liberation was nominated to the 2017 Blacklist. He has an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA, and a BA in Politics from UC Santa Cruz.
Imogen Robertson is a writer of historical fiction. Now based in London, she was born and brought up in Darlington and read Russian and German at Cambridge. Before becoming a writer, she directed for TV, film, and radio. She is the author several novels, including the Crowther and Westerman series. Imogen has been shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger three times (2011, 2013 and 2014), as well as for the prestigious Dagger in the Library. She has also written King of Kings, a collaboration with the legendary international bestseller Wilbur Smith.
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Liberation
Published by Sphere
Released 31st March 2020
