My Review of Madame Fiocca by Suzy Henderson

WWII Drama with a True Story at Its Centre

New-Zeeland born Nancy Wake frees herself from her bible reading mother and goes to New York thanks to a gift from her aboriginal aunt. On a background of subtle abuse from her mother, combined with an absent father, she has a lot to overcome. After leaving New York for London, she decides to study journalism. Her first assignment is in Marseille, she lands a scoop and can settle down in Paris as a journalist.

Hitler is a looming threat, but Nancy enjoys a luxurious lifestyle as she meets a wealthy industrialist, Henry Fiocca. He woes her, and she – eventually – excepts his marriage proposal.

The war breaks out, and Nancy embarks on a journey through the miseries, the hopes, the deaths, and the resistance, which she feels compelled to assist.

Ms Henderson has thoroughly researched her subject matter. More importantly, she brings Nancy Wake and her love interest to life. The gallery of German soldiers, Jews, Gestapo officials, Special Operations Executives, pilots, and members of the French resistance offer their individual characters to the readers’ perusal. Ms Henderson’s writing is evocative in the early parts of the book, but when the reality of war breaks over her protagonist’s head, it becomes matter-of-fact and blunt. Full of contrast as life on this earth must be, this is a captivating and rewarding read.