-
Code Name Hélène
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Peter Ganim
- Length: 17 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $35.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The White Mouse
- By: Nancy Wake
- Narrated by: Christine Jeffery
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nancy Wake, nicknamed 'the white mouse' for her ability to evade capture, tells her own story. As the Gestapo's most wanted person, and one of the most highly decorated servicewomen of the war, it's a story worth telling. After living and working in Paris in the 1930's, Nancy married a wealthy Frenchman and settled in Marseilles. Her idyllic new life was ended by World War II and the invasion of France. Her life shattered, Nancy joined the French Resistance and, later, began work with an escape-route network for Allied soldiers.
-
-
Historical
- By JanTru on 08-24-21
By: Nancy Wake
-
I Was Anastasia
- A Novel
- By: Ariel Lawhon
- Narrated by: Jane Collingwood, Sian Thomas, Ariel Lawhon
- Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia where they face a merciless firing squad. None survives. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed.
-
-
Review
- By Amazon Customer on 08-24-18
By: Ariel Lawhon
-
Dragonfly
- By: Leila Meacham
- Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Jefferson Mays, Karissa Vacker, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the height of WWII, five idealistic young Americans receive a mysterious letter from the OSS, asking them if they are willing to fight for their country. The men and women from very different backgrounds - a Texan athlete with German roots, an upper-crust son of a French mother and a wealthy businessman, a dirt-poor Midwestern fly fisherman, an orphaned fashion designer, and a ravishingly beautiful female fencer - all answer the call of duty, but each for a secret reason of his or her own. They bond immediately, in a group code-named Dragonfly.
-
-
Perfection
- By Panache on 08-14-19
By: Leila Meacham
-
The Diamond Eye
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the snowbound city of Kiev, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son - but Hitler’s invasion of Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper - a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the Eastern Front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.
-
-
awesome
- By Bird Miller on 04-01-22
By: Kate Quinn
-
Flight of Dreams
- A Novel
- By: Ariel Lawhon
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the evening of May 3, 1937, Emilie Imhof boards the Hindenburg. As the only female crew member, Emilie has access to the entire airship, from the lavish dining rooms and passenger suites to the gritty engine cars and control room. She hears everything, but with rumors circulating about bomb threats, Emilie's focus is on maintaining a professional air...and keeping her own plans under wraps.
-
-
Well written and engaging
- By Joy on 02-28-16
By: Ariel Lawhon
-
The Rose Code
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything - beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses - but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets.
-
-
My Favorite Book!!!
- By Jan M on 03-09-21
By: Kate Quinn
-
The White Mouse
- By: Nancy Wake
- Narrated by: Christine Jeffery
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nancy Wake, nicknamed 'the white mouse' for her ability to evade capture, tells her own story. As the Gestapo's most wanted person, and one of the most highly decorated servicewomen of the war, it's a story worth telling. After living and working in Paris in the 1930's, Nancy married a wealthy Frenchman and settled in Marseilles. Her idyllic new life was ended by World War II and the invasion of France. Her life shattered, Nancy joined the French Resistance and, later, began work with an escape-route network for Allied soldiers.
-
-
Historical
- By JanTru on 08-24-21
By: Nancy Wake
-
I Was Anastasia
- A Novel
- By: Ariel Lawhon
- Narrated by: Jane Collingwood, Sian Thomas, Ariel Lawhon
- Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia where they face a merciless firing squad. None survives. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed.
-
-
Review
- By Amazon Customer on 08-24-18
By: Ariel Lawhon
-
Dragonfly
- By: Leila Meacham
- Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Jefferson Mays, Karissa Vacker, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the height of WWII, five idealistic young Americans receive a mysterious letter from the OSS, asking them if they are willing to fight for their country. The men and women from very different backgrounds - a Texan athlete with German roots, an upper-crust son of a French mother and a wealthy businessman, a dirt-poor Midwestern fly fisherman, an orphaned fashion designer, and a ravishingly beautiful female fencer - all answer the call of duty, but each for a secret reason of his or her own. They bond immediately, in a group code-named Dragonfly.
-
-
Perfection
- By Panache on 08-14-19
By: Leila Meacham
-
The Diamond Eye
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the snowbound city of Kiev, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son - but Hitler’s invasion of Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper - a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the Eastern Front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.
-
-
awesome
- By Bird Miller on 04-01-22
By: Kate Quinn
-
Flight of Dreams
- A Novel
- By: Ariel Lawhon
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the evening of May 3, 1937, Emilie Imhof boards the Hindenburg. As the only female crew member, Emilie has access to the entire airship, from the lavish dining rooms and passenger suites to the gritty engine cars and control room. She hears everything, but with rumors circulating about bomb threats, Emilie's focus is on maintaining a professional air...and keeping her own plans under wraps.
-
-
Well written and engaging
- By Joy on 02-28-16
By: Ariel Lawhon
-
The Rose Code
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything - beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses - but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets.
-
-
My Favorite Book!!!
- By Jan M on 03-09-21
By: Kate Quinn
-
The Alice Network
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive.
-
-
Great narration, story lacking
- By Andrea on 02-28-19
By: Kate Quinn
-
The Huntress
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 19 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying. When the Nazis attack the Soviet Union, she risks everything to join the legendary Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on the invading Germans. When she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, and only Nina's bravery and cunning will keep her alive.
-
-
Spellbinding
- By Jean on 07-28-19
By: Kate Quinn
-
The Women of Chateau Lafayette
- By: Stephanie Dray
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert, Emma Bering, Rachel Jacobs
- Length: 23 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An epic saga from New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Dray based on the true story of an extraordinary castle in the heart of France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy.
-
-
An absolute masterpiece of a book!
- By Kindle Customer on 05-15-21
By: Stephanie Dray
-
The Lost Girls of Paris
- By: Pam Jenoff
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden, Henrietta Meire, Candace Thaxton
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs - each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station. Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a network of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war.
-
-
Don’t bother
- By Carol on 03-28-19
By: Pam Jenoff
-
The Paris Dressmaker
- By: Kristy Cambron
- Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paris, 1939. Maison Chanel has closed, thrusting haute couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion as Nazi soldiers invade the streets and the City of Lights slips into darkness. Lila’s life is now a series of rations, brutal restrictions, and carefully controlled propaganda while Paris is cut off from the rest of the world. Yet in hidden corners of the city, the faithful pledge to resist. Lila is drawn to La Resistance and is soon using her skills as a dressmaker to infiltrate the Nazi elite.
-
-
Excellent in all ways
- By Amazon Customer on 02-23-21
By: Kristy Cambron
-
The Black Swan of Paris
- A WWII Novel
- By: Karen Robards
- Narrated by: Nancy Peterson
- Length: 16 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance. When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve knows it won’t be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary - including assassination.
-
-
Where to Start?
- By celeste curley on 10-05-20
By: Karen Robards
-
The Room on Rue Amélie
- By: Kristin Harmel
- Narrated by: Madeleine Maby, Jacques Roy
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When newlywed Ruby Henderson Benoit arrives in Paris in 1939 with her French husband, Marcel, she imagines strolling arm in arm along the grand boulevards, awash in the golden afternoon light. But war is looming on the horizon, and as France falls to the Nazis, her marriage begins to splinter, too. Charlotte Dacher is 11 when the Germans roll into the French capital, their sinister swastika flags snapping in the breeze. After the Jewish restrictions take effect and Jews are ordered to wear the yellow star, Charlotte can't imagine things getting much worse.
-
-
It was okay
- By Emily on 04-05-18
By: Kristin Harmel
-
The Only Woman in the Room
- By: Marie Benedict
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.
-
-
This is not a biographical novel
- By Mary on 10-06-19
By: Marie Benedict
-
Lilac Girls
- A Novel
- By: Martha Hall Kelly
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gati, Kathrin Kana, and others
- Length: 17 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline's world is forever changed when Hitler's army invades Poland in September 1939 - and then sets its sights on France. An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement.
-
-
Absolutely wonderful
- By Elice Lehmann on 09-27-16
-
When We Were Brave
- A Completely Gripping and Emotional WW2 Historical Novel
- By: Suzanne Kelman
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Present day, London: When Sophie discovers a photograph of her great aunt Vivi from World War II, it throws her into a world of confusion. Because, as she learns about this secret relative, she quickly realizes that the photograph doesn’t fit with her family’s story. It shows Vivi leaving an address associated with a spy network in London - a place she had no reason to be - and it is dated right before she disappeared.
-
-
One of THE best ww11 spy novels with 4 main characters
- By paula wright on 04-06-20
By: Suzanne Kelman
-
Resistance Women
- A Novel
- By: Jennifer Chiaverini
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the New York Times best-selling author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate American - Mildred Fish Harnack - and her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against Hitler in Nazi Berlin.
-
-
Excellently researched and written!!!
- By Bob L. on 07-02-20
-
My Dear Hamilton
- A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
- By: Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 23 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the New York Times best-selling authors of America's First Daughter comes the epic story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton - a revolutionary woman who, like her new nation, struggled to define herself in the wake of war, betrayal, and tragedy. In this haunting, moving, and beautifully written book, Dray and Kamoie used thousands of letters and original sources to tell Eliza's story as it's never been told before - not just as the wronged wife at the center of a political sex scandal but also as a founding mother who shaped an American legacy in her own right.
-
-
Long and Detailed view of AmHistory.
- By quest1177 on 01-09-20
By: Stephanie Dray, and others
Publisher's Summary
"This fully animated portrait of Nancy Wake...will fascinate readers of World War II history and thrill fans of fierce, brash, independent women, alike." (Lisa Wingate, number one New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)
Based on the thrilling real-life story of socialite spy Nancy Wake, comes the newest feat of historical fiction from the New York Times best-selling 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 Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène is a spellbinding and moving story of enduring love, remarkable sacrifice, and unfaltering resolve that chronicles the true exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name.
It is 1936, and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for 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.
As Lucienne Carlier, Nancy smuggles people and documents across the border. Her success and her remarkable ability to evade capture earns her the nickname "The White Mouse" from the Gestapo. With a five million-franc bounty on her head, Nancy is forced to escape France and leave Henri behind. When she enters training with the Special Operations Executives in Britain, her new comrades are instructed to call her Hélène. And finally, with mission in hand, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly Madam Andrée, where she claims her place as one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, armed with her ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and the ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces.
But no one can protect Nancy if the enemy finds out these four women are one and the same, and the closer to liberation France gets, the more exposed she - and the people she loves - become.
Critic Reviews
"A compulsively readable account of a little-known yet extraordinary historical figure - Lawhon's best book to date." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“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)
“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)
More from the same
What listeners say about Code Name Hélène
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- carpsmarsh
- 02-14-21
Mixed Feelings
Historical novels are my favorite genre so this one seemed like a slam dunk. The story, while sensationalized, was a good one and like most historical novels, it sent me to the Internet to learn more. A big problem I had was trying to figure out who was who. There were so many code names and not a whole lot of background to flesh out many of the characters so I sort of lost track and just kept reading. If I really understood who was doing what and their relationship to Nancy, I would have appreciated the book far more.
An even bigger problem for me was what one astute reviewer referred to as a "story-in-a-blender" style of writing. This is a popular gimmick in contemporary writing that I loathe. For me, it defeats the purpose of good storytelling. *Code Name Helene* time jumps so much I could barely keep track of the story line. There aren't chapters so much as 34 "episodes", each with a different date. Here's the progression:1944, 1936, 1944, 1936, 1944, 1936, 1944, 1937, 1944, 1939, 1944, 1939, 1944, 1940, 1944, 1940 1944, 1942, 1944, 1942, 1944, 1943, 1944, 1943, 1944, 1943, 1944, 1943, 1944, 1943, 1945, 1944 - or something like that. It would be difficult enough to keep track of this in a hardcover book where you can flip back and forth to jot down notes. With the audio version, it was impossible for me to keep track of these dates as the story unfolded. Only on reflection, do I see that the story alternated between two time periods, something I didn't pick up on while trying to focus on what was happening. I just found it choppy, confusing and difficult to follow.
In the end, I think planning to read the book twice would provide the most enjoyment. The story of this remarkable woman is definitely a good one and if you can get past the multiple code names and time jumps, I believe the author does justice to bringing Nancy Wake's incredible wartime exploits to life.
110 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amanda Hinrichs
- 07-10-20
Such a great book
I rarely give 5 stars, reserving that award for truly great books. I loved this book. I only wish I had known it was a true story before I read it. I'd like to read it again wit that revelation. If you liked The Nightingale or Under the Scarlet Skies, you'll love this book.
41 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MaryJ
- 09-15-20
Excellent Narration
Cheers for the narrators. But... if a story is worth telling, why hack the story timeline into pieces, shuffle it, and annoy the listener with the task of reassembling it? In my opinion, it did not add noteworthy drama to the work.
26 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- J Garrison
- 04-13-20
Excellent historical novel - I could not put it down!
I loved this book. I cannot believe I had never heard of Nancy Wake before listening to this book. It has all of my favorite characteristics, historical, taking place over different time periods, intrigue, suspense, romance, courage, and excellent character and plot development. I will definitely look for more books by this author. I have no hesitation to recommend this book.
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robin Gadget
- 04-16-20
Well written, beautifully narrated - best of genre
Great story of a great woman, fictionalized to grab the reader's interest, and it surely does. I love to listen to historical fiction of the era, and this is as good an example as any.
Some seem to think that the magnitude of WWII alone is enough vehicle to carry a story, but this author does her job, delivering depth of character and interaction with events as a backdrop; like a good story should.
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Geolass
- 10-23-20
Historical Fiction at its Best!
Loved this story, characters and narration! Learning of Nancy Wake and her adventures during WWII, was the real treat of this book! What a woman - and what a story the author told of this remarkable woman, and her feats, during that historic time! The story was captivating and riveting! This book gave a real sense of the place and time about which it was told! I finished it a couple of days ago, and am still thinking & mulling over the characters! A remarkable and true story, with just enough fiction to make it a GREAT LISTEN!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JenniferS
- 02-28-21
Loved this book. Great portrait of a real heroine!
Nancy Wake is one of the great women of modern history and deserves many books and movies! As a proud antipodean, I have always loved her story and Ariel Lawhon's faithful retelling (yes a few literary adjustments and added dialogue make this a novel not a biography) is exceptional. My only issue with this audio book is I would have loved Henri to have been narrated in a French accent if not by a French actor. Ganim does a passable French accent (his Australian is not very good sadly) , but when the story is being told from Henri's POV, it should have been 100% French accented English, not dipping in and out of American and French. Small thing, yet it took a little away from the performance. Still, l love this book and the audible recording.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- EGR
- 02-27-21
Brilliant Novel about the incomparable Nancy Wake
An absolute extraordinary novel based on the real WW2 Heroin. Whilst history is being erased and all but forgotten; this retelling of a poinent part of World history is a treasure.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alexandra Mirabile
- 10-27-20
If you like historical fiction
This book was amazing! The fact that this was a real woman made it even better.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lesley Marceau
- 04-19-21
Bad
I could not finish this book it was awful!! I wanted a good spy book and got some condescending, self importance , women I could not listen to any longer.
4 people found this helpful