What is A Flame in the Dark about?
The life of war hero Nancy Wake from age 16 in Australia, to the end of WWII. This YA novel takes the reader from Australia, to England then France. It shares Nancy’s exciting, but death defying journey from a junior journalist to being an important part of the French Resistance.
Plot summary of A Flame in the Dark (No Spoilers)
Nancy Wake knows she cannot live with her mother any longer. At 16 years old she yearns for more. Setting out on her own, she longs for adventure and has a strong belief that she has something important to achieve.
With an unexpected gift, Nancy can finally venture out into the world and she makes her way to London and then her dream city of Paris. Becoming a journalist, she meets many interesting people and even someone she can love for life.
When Hitler rises to power and she sees first hand the punishment of innocent German citizens, she wants to fight back, but isn’t sure how. When France is in Hitler’s sights, Nancy steps up again and again as the French Resistance forms, grows, and battles the invading forces.
Nancy’s courage grows exponentially as she aids in escapes and then must make her own. She endures endless dangerous situations, interrogations, and constant harsh conditions as she performs small tasks, right up to leading men in and out of battle.
Her famous bike ride is portrayed with all the terror, pain, and determination it would have needed to succeed, and help bring the freedom of her beloved France.
(The rear of the book has photos of all the important people in Nancy’s life and many of her. There is also a glossary of French and Spanish words used in the text.)
My thoughts
Wow! I didn’t know much about Nancy Wake beyond that she was a kiwi war hero and worked in the French Resistance. A Flame in the Dark has filled all the blanks in my knowledge with bold colour, and a plethora of emotions along the way.
Beginning with a captivating first page in Chapter 1, I was hooked. Maria Gill took me on a journey with Nancy from family in Australia, to love and terrible danger in France. Nancy Wake was a supremely courageous, determined, and intelligent woman who often proved herself more skilled than the fighting men that constantly surrounded her. But she still craved sleeping comfort, clean and tidy clothing, and her beloved red lipstick.
Each chapter heading has a title indicating what’s next and a newspaper snippet which also includes a date. This allows readers to place Nancy in this important time in history.
The settings are rich without too much exposition, the characters thrive on the page, and Nancy’s thoughts and feelings are portrayed realistically.
Maria Gill’s extensive research, including walking in Nancy Wake’s footsteps and riding a bike on the very French roads Nancy did, is woven expertly into her first YA novel.
Both Teen and Adult readers will enjoy this portrayal of this amazing woman who saved so many lives while constantly endangering her own.
I’d be surprised if A Flame in The Dark isn’t in future Award lists.
Writing Style
A short prologue begins the story.
Each following chapter has a title and an image of a torn out newspaper headline also showing the date. This is historically accurate based on true events.
An epilogue, photographs, a glossary and author’s note finish the novel.
What age is it for?
Age – 13+
Where & When is it set?
Australia / England / France – 1932-1944
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
First person / Past tense
Is there Violence?
Yes
What genre is A Flame in the Dark?
Historical Narrative Non-Fiction
Themes
War / Courage / Historical / Real Life
Is it part of a series?
No
Find Teacher Notes and see the Book Trailer here
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Author
Maria Gill
Publisher
Onetree House NZ
(2026, Onetree House, Aotearoa New Zealand, War, Courage, Historical, Romance, Love, Animals, French Resistance, Nazis, World War II, WWII, Prejudice, Racism, Journalism, Fighting Back, Violence)