Summary
When World War Two started, Odette was a married French woman living in England and raising three daughters. Then she was recruited by the SOE and sent to France as a spy. In France, she was ultimately captured, sentenced to death, and sent to the notorious Ravensbrück concentration camp for women.
Miraculously, she survived the war, testified in the war crimes trials, and received several awards, including the George Cross. Soon she became a darling of the press, though all she wanted was to return to a quiet life.
Tragically, because she became such a well-known figure, she became an easy target for those who didn’t think being a spy was appropriate work for a woman and those who didn’t like seeing a woman receive such praise and recognition. In the 1950’s and 60’s, she came under vicious attacks in the press for both political and personal reasons.
My Thoughts
First of all, I can’t believe I had never heard of this woman! She was astonishingly brave, resourceful, and resilient.
The story was in turns shocking, heart-breaking, moving, and infuriating. At times it was incredibly hard to read because of the level of inhumanity.
This book is exceptionally well-researched. It begins with Odette’s birth and allows the reader to see how her childhood enabled her to survive much of what she faced, but I really appreciate that it also follows what happened to her after the war also. The level of psychological torment she experienced after the war as a result of political games, sexism, and individuals trying to cover their own mistakes and treachery is almost as sickening as what she experienced during the war.
What really stayed with me throughout was that Odette didn’t believe she was good enough to be a spy. She didn’t think she was physically strong enough. She was convinced she couldn’t do it. She had no faith in herself. Yet she proceeded to do it. That takes a special kind of courage!
What Else I Liked
- The author used a lot of direct quotes from primary sources.
- The writing is academic yet accessible.
- I appreciated the details provided about the training of SOE operatives. There were quotes directly from the SOE syllabus and the basic SOE lecture framework.
What I Didn’t Like
- Certain questions, such as who removed papers from a file, remained unanswered. This was not the fault of the author, but simply a reality of history.
- In the chapters about the post-war period, the pacing slowed a bit. I think it was necessary because of the amount of information required as a background to the attacks against Odette which would take place.
Potential Triggers or Disturbing Events
- World War 2
- Detailed descriptions of torture
- Graphic descriptions of concentration camps
- Graphic Violence
- Sexism
Ratings
It really depends on how interested you are in the subject.
4/5 If you are fascinated by the subject
3/5 If post-war politics aren’t your thing
About the Author
Dr. Penny Starns is a historian who specializes in the history of World War 2. She received her doctorate from the University of Bristol. She currently focuses on writing history books.
I love reading non-fiction books about historical events and historical figures. Do you have favorite historical eras that interest you? Let me know in the comments.
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