“Epic, robust detail and sharpness come together like a symphony conducted by one of the most revered historical fiction authors when it comes to the French Resistance in World War Two…”
Far from being ‘another World War Two drama’, Natasha Lester reveals the key player of Alliance – formed from rudimentary foundations to be a key part of General Paton’s freedom for Occupied France. The Mademoiselle Alliance centres on Marie-Madeleine Meric Fourcade, the formidable French woman who led agents, devised courier routes and established HQ that was key to releasing the Nazi iron-grip of France.
Whilst author Natasha Lester provides the fictionalised account of Marie-Madeleine with several code-names and heroic death-defying actions, she does so with honourable respect and meticulous, researched detail – a key factor that is vital in the historical fiction genre.
From her unconventional car rallies, flight lessons and communications with local women in 1920s Morocco, Marie-Madeleine sparks curiousity and reverence. Her character draws us like a magnet and commands an empathetic response throughout the chapters. We’re reminded of how women were positioned in society and the cloak of invisibility they were often asked to wear. Underestimated, treated as a chattel, controlled and intellect dismissed, Marie-Madeleine led men and women that disregarded convention to hold her in her essential role and give hope for France and freedom. She was able to be undetected for so long due to her ‘invisibility’ as a woman.
Having read all of Natasha Lester’s French series, the anticipation of a new novel exceeded expectations and again, her written craft has sculpted another gem to sit amongst my favourites.
Sue Reid
Read By Reid NZ
Hachette publishers
ISBN 9780733651687