For #WomensHistoryMonth I’m shining a spotlight on amazing books I’ve read about women involved in resistance and spying.
On my Bookshelf: Books About Women in the Resistance Movement/Spying
Image Source: Canva
Do you enjoy a side of thriller with your historical fiction?
What is Resistance?
There are specific real-life Resistance Movements like the French Resistance Movement. Then there is the concept of general resistance where just surviving or having hope for the next day is a form of resistance. Most of the stories I list here feature women (some real-life) involved with an organized form of resistance.
Authors writing in the historical fiction genre can approach a story in a few ways:
- they can create fictional characters experiencing an actual historical event
- they can base a story on real-life characters experiencing a true historical event
- or they can set their story in a time period from the past (at least 40-50 years in the past) and create fictional characters living in the time period with possible references to historical events and/or culture.
My FAVORITE hisfic stories are inspired by real-life individuals.
Most of the selections on my bookshelf represent my favorite type of histfic. Do you prefer a certain type of histfic?
Thank you for joining me today in celebration of Women’s History Month, Women authors, and inspirational women!
***Titles are Amazon affiliate links or links to my reviews.
(In no particular order)
The Girl From Guernica by Karen Robards
Fast-paced, page-turning, riveting, and unputdownable. Fictional characters during WWII. My favorite read of 2022.
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
Fictionalized story of a bad-a$$, real-life socialite spy, Nancy Wake. (WWII France)
The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck
One of my favorite real-life heroes is Virginia Hall who trades in a safe life to work as an Allied Spy with the Resistance Movement in France during World War 11.
Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini
In pre-warII Germany, real-life Mildred Fish, her husband, and their friends join the resistance and risk their lives to gather intelligence to bring down the Third Reich from within.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Two fictional sisters work in their own ways to aid the Resistance Movement in France during WWII.
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton
This is a memorable story of real-life hero Truus Wijsmuller, a member of the Dutch resistance who risked her life smuggling Jewish children out of Nazi Germany.
The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck
Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet are the real-life Red Cross Volunteers (heroes) who smuggle Jewish orphans out of France.
The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
A young American heiress, Nanee (inspired by real-life Mary Jayne Gold), helps artists and intellectuals escape from Nazi-controlled Europe.
The Daughters of War by Dinah Jefferies
In 1944, as WWII comes to their doorstep, three sisters take risks as they fight to survive and resist in their own ways.
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Inspired by true stories from WW11, a young Jewish woman creates documents that will help hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis.
Sisters of Night and Fog by Erika Robuck
The fictionalized account of two real-life young women, Virginia d’Albert-Lake and Violette Szabo, who join the resistance movement in their own ways and eventually meet at Ravensbruck concentration camp.
Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff
In Code Name Sapphire we learn how the Sapphire Line (inspired by the Comet Line) rescued downed pilots, and sabotaged a train on its way to Auschwitz, liberating as many prisoners as possible.
Goodnight From Paris by Jane Healey
This compelling story is the fictionalized account of real-life hero and Hollywood actress, Drue Leyton and her work with the Resistance to rescue downed allied pilots during WWII.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
In one timeline, a courageous female spy (Eve) is recruited to work in the real-life Alice Network in France during World War l.
QOTD:
Have you read a book about women in a resistance movement?
What book have you read that I could add to this list?
I’m linking up with Deb @ Deb’s World and Sue @ Women Living Well After 50, Donna @ Retirement Reflections, and Jo @ And Anyways…. for the March installment of #WhatsOnYourBookShelfChallenge.
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes
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All books I review are bought or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that they are free (arcs).
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There are some great books on this list Carol. I have read most of them, but still have a few on my TBR. I know I have read some others, but have gone blank right now.
These real-life women are inspiring!
They sure are Carol. I wonder I what I would have done in their position. 🤷♀️
Exactly!
i loved Daughters of War and have read a few different books to you that feature female resistance members!
Inspiring reads!
Hi, Carol – Thank you for being a regular contributor to ‘What’s On Your Bookshelf’. We greatly appreciate it. From your list above, I have read The Nightingale and The Alice Network. Awesome reads!
Participating is my please! Thanks for hosting! Incredible women in these books!
I think this is why I’m reading a lot more historical fiction these days. It’s because it’s so inspiring
Exactly! These women are amazing!
What a great selection you’ve shared with us Carol, I love Kate Quinn’s and Kristin Hannah’s books but I’ve added a few of the others to my list to read after reading your reviews. Thanks for joining us!
Thanks Debbie! Lots of inspiring women here!
Of these I loved The Alice Network. Hist fic like this is really inspiring – the courage these women showed… I have no words. Thanks for linking up.
Amazing women! Thanks for commenting Jo!