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Code Name Hélène
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BASED ON THE THRILLING REAL-LIFE STORY OF SOCIALITE SPY NANCY WAKE, comes the newest feat of historical fiction from the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia, featuring the astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII.
Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names ...more
Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names ...more
Hardcover, 464 pages
Expected publication:
March 31st 2020
by Doubleday Books
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This is strong historical WWII fiction based on the resistance work of glamorous socialite turned secret agent, Nancy Wake. Fearless, audacious, and resolute, Wake was a force to be reckoned with all while wearing red Chanel lipstick. Now there’s a woman after my heart. Going by four different code names she thwarted the Nazis at every turn and became the “most wanted” with a sizable price on her head. She also took on members of the resistance who balked at taking orders from a woman with the
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I'm a sucker for a true story. Although categorized as historical fiction, the core characters and events in this book are real.
I was sitting on a solid 4 stars throughout 75% of this book, but the last quarter (and also the author's note at the end) blew it up to a 5 star read for me. Color me obsessed with Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, aka The White Mouse/Madame Andree, code name Helene. She was fierce, salty, irreverent, strong, and unapologetic. She threw on a coat of Lizzie Arden's Victory Red ...more
I was sitting on a solid 4 stars throughout 75% of this book, but the last quarter (and also the author's note at the end) blew it up to a 5 star read for me. Color me obsessed with Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, aka The White Mouse/Madame Andree, code name Helene. She was fierce, salty, irreverent, strong, and unapologetic. She threw on a coat of Lizzie Arden's Victory Red ...more
PUB DATE April 2020
I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of Code Name Hélène ahead of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club Retreat and the hear Ariel Lawhon's thoughts when she joined the group in person. While I’ve read and enjoyed all of her fiction books- this is hands down my favorite.
Hélène is just one of four code names used by Nancy Wake. A relentless, unapologetic, feminine, brave woman who stood toe-to-toe with her male counterparts in the French Resistance during WWII. Beyond her work in the ...more
I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of Code Name Hélène ahead of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club Retreat and the hear Ariel Lawhon's thoughts when she joined the group in person. While I’ve read and enjoyed all of her fiction books- this is hands down my favorite.
Hélène is just one of four code names used by Nancy Wake. A relentless, unapologetic, feminine, brave woman who stood toe-to-toe with her male counterparts in the French Resistance during WWII. Beyond her work in the ...more
*Thank you to Doubleday Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Nancy Wake was known as many names during her time in reconnaissance against the Germans during World War II: Mrs. Fiocca, Lucienne Carlier, The White Mouse, Hélène, and finally, Madame Andrè. What name would I give her? Total and complete badass. And I don’t feel bad saying that, because Nancy - who was a very real person - was known for her “unladylike” language and cursing and I just ...more
Nancy Wake was known as many names during her time in reconnaissance against the Germans during World War II: Mrs. Fiocca, Lucienne Carlier, The White Mouse, Hélène, and finally, Madame Andrè. What name would I give her? Total and complete badass. And I don’t feel bad saying that, because Nancy - who was a very real person - was known for her “unladylike” language and cursing and I just ...more
Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ariel Lawhon has outdone herself with this one. This novel is about Nancy Wake, a woman with many different identities who was integral to the French Resistance's fight against Nazi Germany. Lawhon's interpretation of Wake's life made for compulsive reading. I spent most of the book on the edge of my seat anxious about what was going to happen next. Nancy Wake was someone I'd like to ...more
Ariel Lawhon has outdone herself with this one. This novel is about Nancy Wake, a woman with many different identities who was integral to the French Resistance's fight against Nazi Germany. Lawhon's interpretation of Wake's life made for compulsive reading. I spent most of the book on the edge of my seat anxious about what was going to happen next. Nancy Wake was someone I'd like to ...more
I would not be 100% truthful if I said that historical fiction is my favorite genre.It isn’t. However, I was fortunate to receive an ARC of “Code Name Helene” by author Ariel Lawhon which won me over with a fantastic tale of heroism. This book is set toward the end of World War II, but it’s much more than a war story. It’s a story about a strong, opinionated, brave, and determined woman who worked with the French Resistance during WWII. The heroine’s real name was Nancy Wake and she brought
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I was fortunate to receive a galley of this book from the author, DoubleDay Books, and Modern Mrs. Darcy in advance of a bookclub retreat where Ariel participated in a discussion about her newest book. Listening to Ariel share the history of her latest subject, Nancy Wake, as well as her research and writing process served to make me appreciate the book even more.
This book is something special. The publication date is April 2020. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this one. It’s the story of ...more
This book is something special. The publication date is April 2020. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this one. It’s the story of ...more
*Code Name Hélène: A Novel* by Ariel LawHon is inspired by the true story of Nancy Wake a spy for the SOE and military leader for the French Maquis. Nancy was one woman with four names, three were code names the most infamous of these was the "White Mouse", whom the Nazi's wanted a very high price for.... dead.
This book alternates between the story of Nancy and how she came to work for the Maquis and each of her different identites while working for the SOE. It tells of her many sacrifices ...more
This book alternates between the story of Nancy and how she came to work for the Maquis and each of her different identites while working for the SOE. It tells of her many sacrifices ...more
I received an advance readers copy ahead of an event with the author.
So here’s the deal... I’m one of those people who still enjoys historical fiction and WWII novels. HOWEVER, if I wasn’t that person, I still would have enjoyed this novel!
Yes, it’s set during WWII, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about a badass woman, a REAL woman, who spied for England and France during the war. A woman who led thousands of men in battle. A woman who sabotaged the Germans to protect the country she loved. ...more
So here’s the deal... I’m one of those people who still enjoys historical fiction and WWII novels. HOWEVER, if I wasn’t that person, I still would have enjoyed this novel!
Yes, it’s set during WWII, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about a badass woman, a REAL woman, who spied for England and France during the war. A woman who led thousands of men in battle. A woman who sabotaged the Germans to protect the country she loved. ...more
I finished this--my first Ariel Lawhon--a few weeks ago and I'm still thinking about Helene. The power of her story would be enough to stand on its own, but Lawhon's graceful execution, her power of sensory imagery to take the reader both from the brink of despair to the bower of a bridal night makes this novel exceptional. The story is circular, you will begin where you end, but the tale between the first and last chapters brings to life the role one woman played in the liberation of France
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This is the next book I won’t be able to stop talking about ... so, so good! Lots of history, so don’t rush or you’ll miss important details. Also, I cried, so that’s MAJOR... full range of human emotion is the hallmark of a good read. Nancy & Henri forever.
I was really surprised and intrigued by this story. The narratives were well interwoven and the pacing was great. I really enjoyed learning about this particular facet of history, as it was one I wasn't familiar with and felt like a unique topic for a WW2 story. This book also balanced levity with the seriousness of the topic in a way that this book didn't feel oppressivelydark or heavy. Overall this was a really great read.
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Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday Books for this amazing ARC!
Nancy Wake falls in love with a French man just before World War II breaks out. She finds herself drawn into the resistance and eventually leads the effort to sabotage German targets once the Allies land in Normandy. The story is told in two timelines: Nancy's experiences leading up to the war and beginning to join the resistance, and Nancy returning to France to lead resistance forces in the lead-up to D-day. The two different ...more
Nancy Wake falls in love with a French man just before World War II breaks out. She finds herself drawn into the resistance and eventually leads the effort to sabotage German targets once the Allies land in Normandy. The story is told in two timelines: Nancy's experiences leading up to the war and beginning to join the resistance, and Nancy returning to France to lead resistance forces in the lead-up to D-day. The two different ...more
Loved it! I need some time to get all of my thoughts together Stay tuned for the review
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I had never heard about Nancy Wake until I read this book. Hers is a fascinating story about love and guts and fighting for what’s good and right when the odds are stacked against you. The author does an absolutely phenomenal job of weaving a chunk of time with a lot of details into beautiful prose. The chapters switch back and forth between the different code names Nancy Wake used during her time leading up to and as an SOE agent in WW2 and different times and places those names were utilized.
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Have you heard of Nancy Grace Augusta Wake? I vaguely remembered the name but not really the story. I’m glad that I went into this read somewhat blind to the facts because it was awesome to read and watch the story unfold without much background. Nancy Wake is a bad ass! There is no other way to describe her. The sacrifices she made for her country leaves me speechless. This book was amazing and fast paced. I don’t want to write too much and give it away so just check it out for yourself when it
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An exciting story about an Australian woman who relocates to France and becomes a Spy for the French Resistance. This historical fiction is based on real life Nancy Wake, who parachuted into occupied France, trained with Special Operations, killed a Nazi with her bare hands, commands armies into battle, bicycles over 500 km to deliver a special report, yet is remembered for her “ferocious wit and her signature red lipstick”. In addition to all of the exciting adventures Ariel Lawhon describes,
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Inspired by the true story of Nancy Wake, a spy for Great Britain during WWII, this is a beautiful work of historical fiction.
Nancy becomes part of the Resistance while living in France with her husband, Henri. When she is about to be discovered she escapes to Spain and then to England where she is recruited to return to France to help the Maquis. She is a tough, formidable woman who just wants to see her beloved husband again. Lawhon weaves these two narratives together brilliantly and leaves ...more
Nancy becomes part of the Resistance while living in France with her husband, Henri. When she is about to be discovered she escapes to Spain and then to England where she is recruited to return to France to help the Maquis. She is a tough, formidable woman who just wants to see her beloved husband again. Lawhon weaves these two narratives together brilliantly and leaves ...more
A fast-moving and remarkable story of an Australian journalist who comes to Europe marries a well off Frenchman and becomes one of France's greatest resistance fighters and little known heroes. Nancy Wake was known by many names, had no formal training in spying or weapons and yet she led a powerful band of fighters with a big price tag on her head. While she always seemed close to being captured and death she never turned her back on a friend, her adopted country or the love of her life.
With a ...more
With a ...more
WOW! I love WWII stories and this one is no exception!
The book is told by the 4 different code names that was used by Nancy Wake during WWII to assist the Resistance in smuggling people away from the Nazi's. This book was extremely well done and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in March 2020.
The book is told by the 4 different code names that was used by Nancy Wake during WWII to assist the Resistance in smuggling people away from the Nazi's. This book was extremely well done and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in March 2020.
What a fabulous book. It kept me up late at night and at the edge of my seat! I love the fact that women who were and are so brave are FINALLY being written about and discussed. I am so happy and thankful for this author choosing to show the bravery of a woman and also show that despite being a bad a**, she can still wear some beautiful lipstick. I am so grateful for Double Day Books for allowing game the privilege to read this before the publication date.
I remembered why I stopped reading WW2 books. While I found the life of Nancy Wake absolutely amazing, the atrocious acts of the Nazis are so difficult for me to read.
This remarkable tale of espionage during WW2 is an engaging read and more compelling because it follows a real person. I found it very interesting and a real page turner.
I could not put this down. What an amazing story
Nov 22, 2019
Karen Troutman
is currently reading it
I love books about strong women characters. Based on a true story. I learned so much and enjoyed this book immensely! Love historical fiction books like this. Put it on your tbr book now.
Thanks to Net Galley for sending me the ARC.
Thanks to Net Galley for sending me the ARC.
I was able to read an ARC of this book because I live with the last remaining member of SOE at the moment. When I learned about this book and mentioned Nancy Wake to her she told me lots of stories about her life, and I knew I needed to ask if it were possible to get an early copy of this book. Ariel Lawhon graciously said yes, and my friend was so pleased to receive and read the book, as was I.
It's well-told and well-researched, and I really enjoyed it.
It's well-told and well-researched, and I really enjoyed it.
2.5 stars.
The real Nancy Wake was a fascinating woman, and the story of her feats during World War II are truly unbelievable and inspiring. After reading the summary I felt like I was in for a thrilling spy novel, full of heart pounding excitement and fast-paced adventure. But somewhere along the way, Nancy's story got bogged down in all the details, resulting in an overly long book that covered too much of her life and crawled at a snail's pace. A lot of Nancy's first person narration felt ...more
The real Nancy Wake was a fascinating woman, and the story of her feats during World War II are truly unbelievable and inspiring. After reading the summary I felt like I was in for a thrilling spy novel, full of heart pounding excitement and fast-paced adventure. But somewhere along the way, Nancy's story got bogged down in all the details, resulting in an overly long book that covered too much of her life and crawled at a snail's pace. A lot of Nancy's first person narration felt ...more
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Ariel Lawhon is the critically acclaimed, New York Times Bestselling author of THE WIFE, THE MAID, AND THE MISTRESS, FLIGHT OF DREAMS, I WAS ANASTASIA, and CODE NAME HELENE. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, One Book One County, Indie Next, Costco, and Book of the Month Club selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee,
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