There is no lack of narratives that detail the events surrounding WWII, but few tell the story from a French perspective. In CODENAME LIONEL, author Doyle Glass does just that by drawing inspiration from one man in particular: Robert Benoist, a Frenchman who lived during the horrific Nazi occupation of France. While the story is fictional, many of the details were inspired by real events.
Taking place in war-torn France, the book begins in 1917 during WWI. It then jumps ahead a few years to delve into Robert’s life as a rising F1 racer in the Grand Prix before moving into WWII. Having flown for France in The Great War, Robert is determined to serve his country again. When denied the right to fly, he finds himself caught up in the web of resistance efforts and covert meetings between the French and the British SOE members (who supply them with much-needed firearms, petrol, and food in an effort to keep the resistance alive).
This book is well written. As it takes place during such a violent period, there are a few mentions of death, torture, rape, and harsh language. These are usually fairly quick, but they're potentially offensive or triggering for some readers. Despite that, CODENAME LIONEL masterfully weaves history and fiction as the journey unfolds. This thrilling tale touches on some of the horrors faced during the Nazi invasion, using a restrained and straightforward tone that tells a powerful story without dwelling on the atrocities themselves for too long. Take this expository passage: “It wasn’t long before I learned the worst. Antonio Ascare was dead and, out of respect for their fallen driver, Campari and Alfa Romeo retired from the race.”
Robert Benoist loves his country deeply, yet struggles to maintain healthy relationships—always living in the fast lane. His thrill-seeking ways leave him reeling as he slowly comes to see himself as others do. His journey of self-discovery unfolds throughout the story, but the real strength of this novel comes from those he meets along the way. Soldiers, celebrities, civilians, and hardened criminals are just a taste of the interesting cast found between the pages. Together, their varied personalities intertwine to form the heartbeat of the story. The saying "No man is an island" is true, and this is a lesson Benoist learns intimately as he races from one challenge to another.
While CODENAME LIONEL evokes the devastation of the war, Benoist the narrator seeks to answer a few fundamental questions: "Did I do my best?" and "Was it enough?" These thoughts have plagued many others in times of war, and the reader is compelled to find out what the answers might be.
Doyle Glass's CODENAME LIONEL: A True WWII Story of Love, Betrayal, and the Fight for France thrillingly draws readers into the fast life of a man known for his love for speed and reckless heroics.
~ Stephanie Lynn for IndieReader