I was very excited to get the chance to review Code Name Helene as the plot sounded very exciting. Unfortunately I found it very difficult to get into the story and I did not finish the book.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and unfortunately I couldn’t relate to her style of writing. At times, notably when describing Nancy’s meeting and subsequent marriage to Henri, it read like a rather racy historical romance. For me, It seemed not to fit with the narrative of other sections of the book.

The book is not written in chronological order, so I felt that it was disjointed and didn’t flow so, whilst reading, I never felt fully immersed in the narrative. In parts, the dialogue was lacking that feel of authenticity and several times I cringed at the author’s choice of words. At the start of the book Nancy refers to her code name for the flight as being ‘sexist’. I very much doubt a woman in the 1940’s would use that term. I think there was too much unnecessary detail regarding hair colour, facial descriptions etc, so the book was overly long and particularly in the first half, a tad boring. About halfway through I began to skim read pages, something I rarely do. It did, however, pick up in the second half.

Having said that, I enjoyed the detailed description of scenes, even the harrowing ones and it was obvious throughout that the author had extensively researched Nancy’s life and that of the people to whom she was closely involved. I now really want to learn and read more about her which I wouldn’t have done had I not read this book. Also, the author’s note at the end gave some welcome explanation and insight.

I really wanted to like this book more and as opinions are so subjective, I am certain some readers will love it.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Headline for sending me a copy of this book, this is my honest review.

Nancy Wake was an amazing real life character and Ariel Lawton is clearly inspired by her. She also saw her as having a passionate and admirable marriage and at heart that is what this novel is about: Nancy falling in love with and marrying Henri, and how their love survived despite terrible odds.

The story is divided into two interweaving halves - Nancy before World War Two, a colourful life that culminates with her happy marriage in France just as war breaks out and she throws herself into Resistance work - and Nancy as a spy for Britain, parachuted back into France behind enemy lines, hoping to be reunited with the husband she left behind when she escaped France.

Nancy can swear like a trooper, drink men under the table and be bold and tough in battle. But she is also a romance heroine; her driving force is her relationship with Henri, her sexuality is only a feature of her marriage, her intentions can be fairly simplistic.

Although for me, this book didn't fully capture Nancy's spirit, it's an enjoyable read featuring a strong female character. I would have liked more roughness, rudeness and compromises, but suspect that Nancy herself would have been pleased with this glowing account of her!

Ariel Lawhon’s ‘Code Name Hélène’ is an absolutely fascinating piece of historical fiction, especially as it is based on the true story. Great writing and extremely interesting story to follow. You can see how much research has been done for the book, and learn a lot about the fascinating, brave woman who was one of the heroes of WWII. While of course, certain events have been fictionalised, a large part of the story and most important facts has stayed true to Nancy Wake’s life.

‘Code Name Hélène’ follows Nancy Wake, an Australian living in France, from her career as a freelance journalist to joining the Resistance during World War II and eventually becoming part of SOE and returning to France as operative named ‘Hélène’. Ariel Lawhon’s interchanging narration between Nancy’s life and work under different aliases allows us to learn a lot about the character. While some parts of her life are explored in greater detail – especially her love with Henri and the beginning of the involvement in the Resistance as well as her leadership of guerrilla fighters in France as ‘Hélène’ – and other are barely touched upon, the whole narrative is fascinating. Reimagining the story largely from Nancy’s perspective written in the first person gave a unique and powerful atmosphere to the book from the start to finish. When we meet Nancy – or ‘Hélène’ – she’s about to parachute to France. It makes for an intense beginning as well as immediately shows you what kind of person Nancy is. Brave. Passionate. Stubborn.

Ariel Lawhon’s book is a story of bravery, courage, friendship and love. But ‘Code Name Hélène’ in so many ways is more than that. It shows how flawed people are and how war changes them. Humanity and the limits of what people will do to survive or avenge those they have loved are also the topics explored in this fascinating narrative. I really want to read Nancy Wake’s autobiography now, if I somehow manage to get my hands on it.

I was fascinated to follow up this novel by watching a documentary of the very feisty Australian Nancy Wake who became known as the 'White Mouse' and was feared by the Gestapo for always escaping their clutches when she worked with the French resistance during WWII.
I found the novel a bit slow to get going and seemed focused on the glamorous perception of Nancy -quite real as she was a beautiful woman - but it lapsed into romantic tale rather than espionage at times especially in the build up to the marriage of Nancy to wealthy French businessman Henri Fiocca. However their romance was deep and Nancy later perhaps felt she had caused his death when he was captured and refused to give details about where his wife had gone.
Often women have been overlooked in military history and I think if you had met Nancy it would have been hard to have not remembered the hard drinking, swearing and self preserving tendencies of her. She got her husband to get her an ambulance and whilst he went to war as a soldier she went to the front line in France (now occupied by the Germans after the capitulation of General Petain) Although Nancy retained that Aussie gusto she loved France and saw it as her home country, loving everything about the culture (and its men!). Feted for her beauty she was a leading socialite especially once married to Henri so was extremely brave to strike out for firstly the resistance and then when she had escaped the Nazis joining the Special Operations Executive in England and asking to be dropped back behind enemy lines to once again rescue allies.
Often ruthless and not afraid to kill Nancy was quite a revelation. I see the novel is to be turned into a film and although I am sure it will have its merits sight of the 'real' Nancy being interviewed (she sold her medals feeling Australia really didn't honour her war efforts) showed the true nature of a remarkable woman,

Inspired by the true story of war hero Nancy Wake, "Code Name Hélène" is, in my opinion, one of the very best examples of historical fiction. With two converging timelines Ariel Lawhon brings alive the incredible feats of Resistance warrior and British SOE agent, Nancy Wake aka 'The White Mouse'. An Australian lady who worked as a journalist in Paris, found love in France, and who spent WW2 fighting with the Allied forces against the Germans.

This blend of fact and fiction is near impossible to put down. It's gripping, astonishing, heartwarming, and heart-breaking. It's a tale that I shan't forget, and so well told by Lawhon (an author new to me). I find myself wanting to read more of Lawhon's work, and needing to learn even more about the incredible lady that the Nazi's called 'The White Mouse'.

I so badly wanted to love this. The premise sounded right up my alley and I was convinced I would fall in love with the story and the character, but alas that wasn’t the case. I felt disconnected from everyone in this novel and the plot seemed to move at a snails pace. The only saving grace was the writing itself, which was easy to read and atmospheric. Maybe this just wasn’t for me, although I’m sure it’s a great read for someone else out there.