2021
WISE Score
A high-octane, true-life spy thriller about Nancy Wake, the WWII resistance fighter who outran the Gestapo and outdrank the British.
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If you're tired of sanitized, 'safe' historical fiction, Code Name Helene is the antidote. It’s a roaring, whiskey-soaked, blood-stained tribute to a woman who was too big for the history books to ignore.
It’s not a 'kids' book by any stretch, but for an older teen who thinks history is boring, this is the book that will change their mind. It treats the reader like an adult and Nancy Wake like the complex, flawed, and terrifyingly brave human she was.
This is firmly adult historical fiction. While a precocious 14-year-old history buff could handle it, the violence and mature themes make it best suited for high schoolers (16+) and adults.
While it features a protagonist who is often hungover and kills Nazis, the core is built on incredible courage, loyalty to a cause, and deep sacrifice for others.
The tradecraft and espionage tactics used by Nancy Wake are brilliantly detailed, sparking a real sense of awe at human ingenuity under pressure.
This is a gritty WWII story. Expect visceral war violence, descriptions of Gestapo cruelty, and adult themes including alcohol use and sexual situations.
It's a masterclass in historical literacy, shedding light on the French Resistance and the SOE through the lens of one of the most decorated women in the war.
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