Sandra Eden's War

by Mike Low

Sandra Eden’s War

This is the story of one woman’s involvement in the fight to help free Europe from the oppression of Nazism. Sandra Eden, a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent, is parachuted into France just a few weeks before D-Day, 6 June 1944, with the task of helping the French Resistance severely disrupt German troop movements and supply lines in and around the Allied invasion area of Normandy. The story is, of course, fiction, though much of the content is based on research into the actions of various female, and male, SOE agents, who worked in so many extraordinarily courageous and selfless ways to ensure the survival of the continuing freedom that we in the Western world still enjoy today.
The tale is one of incredible bravery and self-sacrifice combined with an insight into the actions of the SOE, the organisation set up by Winston Churchill in 1940 with the direct assignment to ‘set Europe ablaze’ and help shorten the most bloody war in the history of mankind.
The book is dedicated to all those brave and valiant members of the SOE. May their contribution and sacrifice never be forgotten.

Paperback

Published October 26, 2019

About the author

Author Mike Low’s previous books include: ‘The Bleedin’ Obvious Way to Improve Quality in Your Business’, a book based on Mike’s experiences in manufacturing engineering. And ‘Saviour of the Free World’, the story of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine that powered the Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito, Mustang and Lancaster during World War II.
Mike published 'The Voyage of An Luchog' in 2017, It is a novel and a tale of redemption.
His latest book is 'Sandra Eden's War' a novel about a WWII SOE agent in France just before D-Day.
Mike is married and lives in Somerset.

Reviews

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

That it has a female narrator is my favorite part of this novel. With a powerful woman as the protagonist and focus of the plot, I don't see enough war stories without it being a romance novel. So this case was a welcome one. In this novel, I liked how she was presented too. Sandra is a powerful, courageous, professional woman doing her work. I considered this book to be a novelty given the reality of how well known the topic of world wars is.

[Audi Maulidina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sandra Eden's War written by Mike Low tells the story of a female SOE agent from England named Sandra Eden who served in France during World War II. Her main mission was to liberate France, which at that time was in the hands of Germany. She served in Normandy, accompanied by a Frenchman, Michael and several Maquis who had the same mission, repelling the Germans back to their country. In carrying out her mission, Sandra Eden was doubted several times because she was a woman, but her enthusiasm and persistence amazed everyone and silenced all of them who had doubts her.
I am an historical fiction novels’ fan because it opened my eyes to see what happened in other countries when the war was going on. I like how this novel is so light, even for me who don’t talk English as main language. But the word choice still doesn't miss important things and can describe the situation at that time quite well.
Apart from Sandra Eden, there are many other characters in this novel, but unfortunately, they are not explored well. The character development is also lacking. To be honest, there were a few things that bothered me a bit, such as how Sandra suddenly felt connected to some persons romantically. Regardless of how they struggle together, suddenly had an emotional feeling still doesn't make sense, to me. Given her heroic struggle, I hope Sandra is more than a woman who kisses a man passionately one day and then easily switches to another young man the next day. I realized she might feel lonely on the battlefield, but it still felt odd to me.
Mike Low written this novel neatly, I only found one typo on page 27. The choice of words is also easy to understand. But overall, I don't dislike this novel, it's just that this novel didn't leave a deep impression on my heart. I think there are many other aspects that can be explored. That's why I can only give 2 out of 4 stars to this novel.
I recommend this book to those who are historical fiction’s fan, or those who are interested in reading historical fiction but are worried that it is too complicated to understand. There are very mild profanity and one situation that makes me shudder and scare to imagine. But overall, I think even high school students can read it to give them new perspective about the situation during World War II back then.

[Maggie Pope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unremarkable and forgettable