In 'Jackdaws' by Ken Follett, the story is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, focusing on a group of British women who are sent on a secret mission to destroy a strategic target. The plot revolves around the mission to blow up a Nazi telephone exchange in a small town, with the protagonist, Flick, leading the team of female spies. The narrative is fast-paced, with a mix of action, suspense, and historical details that provide an engaging look at the women of the Resistance and the agents of the SOE who supported them. The writing style is described as well-crafted, with a good balance between familiar plot elements and unique perspectives, particularly the switch between the German and British sides of the story.
The book is praised for its portrayal of strong female characters, the gripping storyline that keeps readers invested in the outcome of the daring mission, and the well-researched historical background that adds depth to the narrative. Readers appreciate the suspenseful nature of the plot, the detailed descriptions that bring the WWII setting to life, and the way the author weaves together different perspectives to create a compelling and immersive reading experience. The book is commended for its blend of suspense, historical accuracy, and engaging characters, making it an enjoyable and memorable read for fans of historical fiction and WWII-themed novels.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include graphic violence, torture, and emotional distress associated with the wartime experiences.
Has Romance?
The book contains elements of romance, notably Flick's personal relationships.
From The Publisher:
In his own bestselling tradition of Eye of the Needle and The Key to Rebecca, Ken Follett delivers a breathtaking novel of suspense set in the most dangerous days of World War II.
D-Day is approaching. They don't know where or when, but the Germans know it'll be soon, and for Felicity "Flick" Clariet, the stakes have never been higher. A senior agent in the ranks of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) responsible for sabotage, Flick has survived to become one of Britain's most effective operatives in Northern France. She knows that the Germans' ability to thwart the Allied attack depends upon their lines of communications, and in the days before the invasion no target is of greater strategic importance than the largest telephone exchange in Europe.
But when Flick and her Resistance-leader husband try a direct, head-on assault that goes horribly wrong, her world turns upside down. Her group destroyed, her husband missing, her superiors unsure of her, her own confidence badly shaken, she has one last chance at the target, but the challenge, once daunting, is now near impossible. The new plan requires an all-woman team, none of them professionals, to be assembled and trained within days. Code-named the Jackdaws, they will attempt to infiltrate the exchange under the noses of the Germans-but the Germans are waiting for them now and have plans of their own. There are secrets Flick does not know-secrets within the German ranks, secrets among her hastily recruited team, secrets among those she trusts the most. And as the hours tick down to the point of no return, most daunting of all, there are secrets within herself. . . .
Filled with the powerful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and authentic detail that have become his hallmarks, Jackdaws is Ken Follett writing at the height of his powers.
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Jackdaws?
About the Author:
Ken Follett is one of the world's best-loved authors, selling more than 170 million copies of his thirty-two books. Follett's first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, a spy story set in the Second World War. In 1989, The Pillars of the…
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