Review: The Girl from Vichy

The Girl from Vichy The Girl from Vichy by Andie Newton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've read a lot of novels about espionage during World War 2 and the role of female agents, and this was one of them.

I liked the storyline, and I appreciate Newton's moves to illustrate complexity of human beings as they try to navigate difficult times. Why do people support their leaders despite the evidence that the leader is taking the people down a dangerous path? Why do some people collaborate with enemies? Why do some people risk everything to change the course of history? How does war change us?

Unfortunately, this story and the simplistic character and plot development never quite achieve what I believe Newton wanted to achieve.

For example, the protagonist's recruitment into the resistance was based on the fact that she wasn't a spy for the opposite side and because she fled marriage to a collaborator. She was actually a bit flighty. The resistance members shared names with each other, something that didn't happen in real life as German torture techniques might put them at risk. The protagonist never seemed to understand the need for absolute secrecy or the value of playing a role, which led to her mother's beating, her own capture, and her best friend's death. She never really recognizes that.

And I was just left saying, "Meh."

This kind of storytelling appeals to many people, but not so much to me.

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