The Invisible Woman
by Erica Robuck
Look up “Virginia Hall” online and you will learn that she was a WWII American espionage agent. When you read author Erica Robuck’s fascinating historical fiction look at Virigina Hall, you will be enthralled and inspired by Virginia Hall’s life.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for a digital advance review copy of this amazing book.
Based on the remarkable true story of an American woman who defied the odds to become the most dangerous Allied spy in France during World War II, comes a gripping historical novel about strength, humanity, and bravery from the bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl.
March 1944. Virginia Hall wasn’t like the other young society women back home in Baltimore–she never wanted the debutante ball or silk gloves. Instead, she traded a safe life for adventure in Europe, and when her beloved second home is thrust into the dark days of war, she leaps in headfirst.
Once she’s recruited as an Allied spy, subverting the Nazis becomes her calling.
“An extraordinary profile of the immense courage and daring of Virginia Hall and an intimate look at the cost of war, The Invisible Woman is a must-read. “–Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author
“[A] captivating, page-turning read. . . . The Invisible Woman shines a light on this courageous historical woman, whose pioneering work as an agent deserves recognition.”–Marie Benedict, New York Timesbestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room
“Erika Robuck shows us exactly how biographical fiction should be written: with respect for the historical record, a deep understanding of the subject, and the empathy to allow the character at the heart of the novel to shine through. . . . If you only read one World War II book this year, make it this one.”–Natasha Lester,New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan
“Virginia Hall . . . is the stuff of inspiration and legend . . . [with] feats of human goodness and bravery amid some of modern history’s darkest moments. . . . Breathtakingly beautiful.”–Allison Pataki, New York Timesbestselling author of The Queen’s Fortune
JENA’S REVIEW
The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“It is better to light just One Little Candle than to stumble in the dark.” *
The opening line to one of my favorite Christmas carols kept playing in my head as I read this inspiring book. Occupied France was in dire need of hope and in the midst of terrible darkness and oppression, some tiny points of light did shine through. This book is a fictionalized, but accurate account of Virginia Hall and the people she worked with in 1944.
American Virginia Hall was a well-educated young woman who began her career with the American Consulate service. During WWII she became an Allied spy, working with the British in France. Her basic mission as a wireless operator was to get supplies to the resistance fighters in France, organize them in acts of sabotage and train them to overthrow the Germans after D-Day. In the midst of evil, could she bring forth the hope of a brighter world?
The typical wireless operator survived in Nazi France for six weeks. Virginia was not typical. In spite of a physical handicap, she persevered. Her story is one of fear, loneliness, hardship and danger, but also moments of friendship, love and opportunity to witness acts of great mercy and bravery.
Readers will find the actual “spying” details fascinating. In an evil and constantly life-threatening world- a world without computers and high-tech??- how did Virginia accomplish her mission? Spies communicated through coded messages. Also, the BBC broadcast coded messages each evening. Even crossword puzzles could convey a secret message. It’s thrilling to be crowded in a dark room with Virginia and her cohorts, breathlessly listening to the radio for the words that would signal a delivery of supplies, or the start of the D-Day invasion. Through Virginia, we get to know many amazing and unsung people with true hearts for good.
A section of the story that deserves a whole book of its own, is Virginia’s time in Le Chambon-sur-Ligne. Saving the “Old Testaments” will have you weeping. Virginia was deeply affected too, but the love and valor she observed also helped to thaw her icy heart of emotional self-protection.
Well-paced, with wonderful historic details that enhance rather than slow-down the story, you will be awestruck by Virginia and thankful that people such as her rose up during a dark period of history. This is a must read! Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
*Sung by Perry Como
Music by George Mysels
With Lyrics by Joseph Maloy Roach, Published 1952
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Author Erica Robuck
Erika Robuck is the national bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl, Call Me Zelda, Fallen Beauty, The House of Hawthorne, and Receive Me Falling. She is also a contributor to the anthology Grand Central: Postwar Stories of Love and Reunion, and to the Writer’s Digest essay collection Author in Progress. #Hockeystrong, as E. Robuck, is her first satire. Her forthcoming novel, The Invisible Woman (Feb. 2021), is about real-life superwoman of WWII, Virginia Hall. In 2014, Robuck was named Annapolis’ Author of the Year, and she resides there with her husband and three sons.
About the Author
