Status
Available
Publication
Berkley (2021), 368 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:“An extraordinary profile of immense courage and daring.”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Left Cuba “If you only read one WWII book this year, make it this one."—Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphans In the depths of war, she would defy the odds to help liberate a nation…a gripping historical novel based on the remarkable true story of World War II heroine Virginia Hall, from the bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl France, 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. But even the most cunning agent can be bested, and in wartime trusting the wrong person can prove fatal. Virginia is haunted every day by the betrayal that ravaged her first operation, and will do everything in her power to avenge the brave people she lost. While her future is anything but certain, this time more than ever Virginia knows that failure is not an option. Especially when she discovers what—and whom—she's truly protecting.… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member nancyadair
The publishing world seems saturated by WWII novels. And yet there always seems to be one more story to be told, a story unlike the others we have read. The Invisible Woman offers readers a character so amazing that it is hard to believe she is based on a real woman.
In The Invisible Woman, Erika
It is a riveting read.
The average lifespan of a pianist was six weeks. "You will receive no praise or accolades for your service," Virginia was warned, "Without military uniform, if captured, you will not fall under Geneva protection." She would starve. She would feel guilt over the deaths of those involved in her work. She could be jailed, raped, tortured, or put to death.
Virginia accepted the challenge. She had a debt to pay.
Virginia wore a prosthetic leg but it did not stop her from her work. Masquerading as an elderly woman, she rode a bicycle for hours, trekked through deep mountain snow, endured danger and grief, gained the trust of the boys and men she worked with, and was aided by women and children.
The "nameless and faceless" army of common folks were true heros, enduring suffering and loss unfalteringly. A village of pacifist Christians hid thousands of evacuated Jewish children.
Virginia struggles with what she has seen. How do men become monsters? Is humanity redeemable? Can small acts overpower it? Was resisting worth dying for? Will her humanity be another victim of the war?
Readers will be gratified by the ending.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
In The Invisible Woman, Erika
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Robuck brings to life Virginia Hall Goillot who went into occupied France as a "pianist," coordinating and supplying the Marquis as they sabotaged the Nazis. She was the only civilian woman to be award the U. S. Distinguished Service Cross, and one of the first women to work for the C.I.A.It is a riveting read.
The average lifespan of a pianist was six weeks. "You will receive no praise or accolades for your service," Virginia was warned, "Without military uniform, if captured, you will not fall under Geneva protection." She would starve. She would feel guilt over the deaths of those involved in her work. She could be jailed, raped, tortured, or put to death.
Virginia accepted the challenge. She had a debt to pay.
Virginia wore a prosthetic leg but it did not stop her from her work. Masquerading as an elderly woman, she rode a bicycle for hours, trekked through deep mountain snow, endured danger and grief, gained the trust of the boys and men she worked with, and was aided by women and children.
The "nameless and faceless" army of common folks were true heros, enduring suffering and loss unfalteringly. A village of pacifist Christians hid thousands of evacuated Jewish children.
Virginia struggles with what she has seen. How do men become monsters? Is humanity redeemable? Can small acts overpower it? Was resisting worth dying for? Will her humanity be another victim of the war?
Readers will be gratified by the ending.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
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LibraryThing member ang709
I read a lot of WWII books, but I found this to be a stand out. It is about an extraordinary real life woman, and despite knowing how things would turn out for her, I still found it suspenseful. I enjoyed reading and learning more about the resistance groups Virginia worked with, especially the
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last one where there were so many children. Virginia herself presented a hard exterior, but as this seemed to be a result of how seriously she took her job and the safety of her people, I found I still liked her and could readily root for her. I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction or stories about strong women. Show Less
LibraryThing member fcplcataloger
Author Erika Robuck weaves fictional details with historical facts in The Invisible Woman and the resulting story is one that I won't soon forget. As I read the amazing feats of OSS agent Virginia Hall, I concluded that she could have also been called a wonder woman as she feverishly worked to aid
I love a book that entertains as it enlightens and this book certainly delivers. Robuck stirred my emotions as I was plunged into a world of spies, war, and the uncertainties of justice versus revenge. The Invisible Woman is exceptional historical fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
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the war effort while wearing a prosthetic leg she had named Cuthbert. Hall was the ultimate spy and freedom fighter, the only civilian woman to ever be given the United States Distinguished Service Cross., and a CIA operative after the end of WWII.I love a book that entertains as it enlightens and this book certainly delivers. Robuck stirred my emotions as I was plunged into a world of spies, war, and the uncertainties of justice versus revenge. The Invisible Woman is exceptional historical fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
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LibraryThing member Desiree_Reads
A fascinating tale based on the life of a real woman who was an Allied spy during World War II. You'll follow Virginia Hall through several legs of her journey. You'll feel her to-the-bone weariness. You'll witness her internal struggle as to whether to help with the here and now or to play the
If you follow my reviews, you've probably heard me say it before... there is just a glut of WWII books out there right now. But this one's worth the read. It's a bit gritty and can be a bit confusing at times to tell if we're reading the current timeline or an internal dialogue memory. But, the author has a great way of foreshadowing and then letting the other shoe drop, so to speak.
I really liked the book. The only thing that could make it better, I think, except for the aforementioned, would be if it could have included some photos or other ephemera in the back of the book. But I understand our heroine was quite an elusive character to research, which only makes sense for a spy.
Recommended for true-story historical fiction and book club lovers.
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long game. And you'll see her as a real person who did amazing things. And you'll see her grow as a person and as a woman - one who has a real, beating heart.If you follow my reviews, you've probably heard me say it before... there is just a glut of WWII books out there right now. But this one's worth the read. It's a bit gritty and can be a bit confusing at times to tell if we're reading the current timeline or an internal dialogue memory. But, the author has a great way of foreshadowing and then letting the other shoe drop, so to speak.
I really liked the book. The only thing that could make it better, I think, except for the aforementioned, would be if it could have included some photos or other ephemera in the back of the book. But I understand our heroine was quite an elusive character to research, which only makes sense for a spy.
Recommended for true-story historical fiction and book club lovers.
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LibraryThing member thosgpetri
This book is history about real people, not dates and events. This is the people in the events. It has been a long time since I cried reading a book, but this story and the people in it brought tears to my eyes. Knowing it is history the end is up in the air, triumph or tragedy, the outcome is not
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the author's desire, but what fate determined. A realistic, visceral story. An important lesson in the good and evil we humans are capable of. Show Less
LibraryThing member JillHannah
Amazing story of guts, determination, and fearless perseverance! I'd have thought the story a stretch if it wasn't based on a real woman's life! I'm so impressed with everything Virginia accomplished and often googled more information about this fascinating woman.
The story was well told, and I
It's another WWII book that shines light on heroes behind the front line.
Impressive research, impressive characters, and a very interesting book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this great historical fiction story.
The story was well told, and I
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cared about the many characters introduced throughout the story.It's another WWII book that shines light on heroes behind the front line.
Impressive research, impressive characters, and a very interesting book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this great historical fiction story.
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LibraryThing member TimBazzett
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but Erika Robuck's THE INVISIBLE WOMAN fit into my particular interests of war and the military. It tells the story of American Virginia Hall, one of the most respected espionage agents of WWII, who worked closely with the French Resistance in effecting the
- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER
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withdrawal of Nazi troops from France. She engaged in acts of sabotage and taught young French resistors how to do the same, all while secretly sending important data back to UK Headquarters and arranging air drops of supplies and weapons via her portable wireless set. And yes, Hall worked for both the US and UK at various times during the war, at one time escaping on foot from Nazi forces over the frozen Pyrenees, a difficult and treacherous journey, and all this with a prosthetic wooden leg she called 'Cuthbert' (the result of a hunting accident before the war). Robuck manages to weave in much of Hall's backstory and earlier missions as she follows her day to day efforts in the final year of the war, before and after the D-Day landing of Allied forces at Normandy. Erika Robuck has done her homework, seamlessly combining the factual with fiction, giving us a compelling and believable picture of Virginia Hall's exploits behind enemy lines, and even a bit about her post-war career with the OSS and the CIA, where she was the victim of gender discrimination despite her distinguished war record. A terrific read for history buffs, both men and women. Very highly recommended.- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.19 inches
ISBN
0593102142 / 9780593102145