Nancy Grace Augusta Wake

Nancy Wake—also known by her code name, Hélène—is the protagonist of the novel. The past plot line of the novel tracks the development of Nancy’s relationship with Henri and her eventual involvement in the Resistance, whereas the present plot line looks at Hélène’s work with the Maquis.

To begin, Nancy is spirited and outspoken. She, herself, says, “I have got to work on my temper” (88). In addition, she has an excellent memory: “I remember things. Irrational things. Odd little tidbits that stick in my brain and remain there forever” (367). Nancy’s memory is especially useful for her Resistance work. Above all, Nancy attributes the good things in her life to her inherent luck: “I am a woman who has been possessed, my entire life, by great luck” (122). She feels herself incredibly lucky to be with a man...