Sheila is visiting friends in Poland. The year is 1939 and war is about to break out. While she has the means to leave the country, she stays behind hoping to help her friends get through the Siege of Warsaw, but is mistaken for a spy by the Germans and they insist on her help. She never knew her father and finds out that he was a Polish spy who was killed in WWI. The Resistance leaders all knew her father and while they don't want to put her in any danger, they have no choice since the Germans have interest in her. She winds up working with the Polish Resistance against the Germans... obviously not a safe position to be in. While Still We Live is a sentimental read for me. I first read it as a teenager, more than a few years ago... An aunt gave it to me during one of our summer visits to Montreal - she told me it would be good for me to learn some history. My aunt, my mother and the rest of their family emigrated to Montreal from Poland in 1929. I loved the book and the story because I did want to learn some of the 'history' about where they were born. What I didn't find out until many years later was that my Aunt's long time friend, someone I knew well, actually fought in the Polish Resistance during the war and participated in the Siege of Warsaw, which made this book mean that much more to me. I still get it out every so often, just to enjoy a good story, but also to remind myself of where I come from.
Helen MacInnes was a celebrated writer of intenational intrigue, about whom I have read much but of whose work I have read nothing. Seeking an introduction to her work, I chose While Still We Live. It was not the right choice, but I'm not discouraged and would be grateful if someone could recommend another, better, book by Ms. McInnes so I could try again. WSWL was written during WWII. It was intended, and is successful as, a moving tribute to the tragedy and heroism of the Poles, savagely overrun by Germany and Russia. The vehicle for this tribute is a somewhat wooden and pedestrian story of a young British woman who remains in Poland during the war and is motivated to work for the resistance there. As such, it's up against some stiff competition from subsequent writers and, at least in my opinion, doesn't do well. Some books age better than others.
What do You think about While Still We Live (1985)?
The author, Helen Macinnes, was a female espionage writer in the early 1950's. She was one of the few female writers in that genre, as men were considered more able to write about such things. But, the head of the CIA is reported to have enjoyed her novels. In addition, she based her novels on experiences she had as a newlywed traveling in Europe prior to WWII. Culturally I found the books very interesting as they depicted roles of men and women of the era. I have read a few of her novels, as they are easy to read. This is my favorite. There is the plight of Poland under the rule of the Nazis, the resistance, and the romance. An easy way to get a dose of history!
—Tara Laukat
When Sheila, somewhat naively, accepts an invitation to visit Polish acquaintances in the countryside not far from Warsaw in the summer of 1939, she is oblivious to the fact that war is about to break out all over Europe. Suddenly, it is too late to return to England, and Sheila belatedly realizes she is in danger. However, learning for the first time that her father died in Poland makes Sheila realize she too would like to work toward Poland's freedom. When she is mistaken for a German spy, suddenly there is an opportunity for her to work for the country she has learned to love against the Germans...
—CLM
September 1, 1939 -- the day Germany invaded Poland. And for one British girl this is a wake up call and she becomes involved in the Resistance. This is more a story of praise for Poland -- her history and people. And their refusal to give in. When I read it for the first time years ago I thought it was okay but a very weak story. It's still not a great thriller -- for long periods there's a lack of action but it is worth the read simply for the story of Poland (whether true or not, accurate or spruced up, it is not without its merits).
—Tamara
