Code Name Hélène

A Novel

De: Ariel Lawhon

Narrado por: Barrie Kreinik, Peter Ganim

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River, this thrilling novel about a daring socialite spy chronicles the true wartime exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name.

"Will fascinate readers of World War II history and thrill fans of fierce, brash, independent women." —Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

It is 1936 and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for a Hearst newspaper when she meets the wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca than the Germans invade France and she takes yet another name—a code name.

Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène follows Nancy’s transformation from journalist to one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, known for her ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and her ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied forces. But with power comes notoriety, and no matter how careful Nancy is to protect her identity, the risk of exposure is great—for herself and for those she loves.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Ariel Lawhon delivers in Code Name Hélène. This fully animated portrait of Nancy Wake— underground operative, charmer in red lipstick, loving wife, and hard-hitting woman of her times, will fascinate readers of World War II history and thrill fans of fierce, brash, independent women, alike. A stark exploration of the remarkable difference one person, willing to rise in the face of fear, can make." –LISA WINGATE, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

"Fascinating"
—NEW YORK POST "REQUIRED READING"

“A spellbinding work of historical fiction. . . [and] one of the most sensual romance novels you’ve ever read. . . She is real, this really did happen is the mantra you may find yourself repeating, in awe of every page.”—BOOKPAGE, *STARRED*

"A compulsively readable account of a little-known yet extraordinary historical figure—Lawhon's best book to date." –KIRKUS REVIEWS, *STARRED*

“Magnificent. . . Lawhon carries us into the heart of the French resistance [and] into the mind of a badass heroine with uncanny instincts who takes on the Nazis and men’s arrogant sexism with uncommon bravado. . . Even long after the last page is turned, this astonishing story of Wake’s accomplishments will hold readers in its grip.”—BOOKLIST, *STARRED*

"Readers will be transfixed by the story of a woman who should be a household name."–LIBRARY JOURNAL *STARRED*

“Riveting. . . [A] stunning, moving story.”—BOOKREPORTER.COM

“Masterful. . . Exhaustively researched and vividly woven. . . As much an epic love story as an engrossing narrative of an unlikely anti-Nazi combatant. . . Lawhon has proven herself a master at her craft, and she does readers a great service with Code Name Hélène.”—CHAPTER16

“Captivating. . . [Lawhon] sweeps readers into Nancy’s wry, fast-talking, first-person account of her adventures. . . While Nancy cuts a vivid, stylish figure through the novel’s pages, her supporting case is also well drawn [and] Lawhon’s elegant plotting makes them shine. . .Lawhon’s gripping narrative gives ‘Hélène’ her due.”–SHELF AWARENESS

"Gripping…Lawhon throws readers into the middle of the action… Lawhon’s vivid, fast-paced narrative will keep readers turning the pages, and a detailed afterword makes plain how much of the account is factual. This entertaining tale does justice to Lawhon’s larger-than-life subject.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

LOVED IT!!

The narrators are great! The story is amazing! I did have a little trouble keeping up with the date changes in the story, so pay attention! I highly recommend this book!

Fantastic

Love historical fiction. Couldn’t stop listening to this one. I absolutely loved it and learned a lot!

A Story everyone should know

What a remarkable story about a remarkable woman. Well told. I wonder why I have never heard of her. There should be movies and tv series about this incredible person.

Very well done

Both the story and narration are extremely well done. I have listened to over 100 audio books and this one by far outshines all the others

Amazing...

I truly loved this book. What a phenomenal story. Excellent writing and narration, the character depth was beautiful.

Exceptional World War II story based on actual fact

This was a very involving yarn about a little-celebrated Australian woman agent in France who worked with the resistance. The two narrators did an excellent job with multiple accents and some very specific characters. The author’s historical notes at the end made the novel even more impressive.

Could not put it down

What a page tuner, if there were pages to turn! The seriousness of the suffering of WWII was brought to life. Sacrifice, strength, love, bravery are all included in this book.

great story

really loved this book! kept me listening long after I should have been asleep.

Wonderful Listen

I absolutely loved this book. The narration and story are both exceptional. I definitely recommend giving it a listen.

Voice of Henri

To be honest, I didn’t care for the voice of Henri Fiocca, I felt like it didn’t match the character and came as a bit of a shock when I first heard it. That being said, the female voice did a fantastic job and I would 100% still recommend the book to a broad range of people. Well worth the read!