Point of View

Code Name Hélène is told through first person narration from Nancy’s point of view. Although everything Nancy describes is filtered through her own biases and opinions, she is a reliable narrator. This narration style has the effect of making the reader feel a deep emotional connection to the protagonist and invested in her plight.

This narration style remains consistent throughout the novel. Occasionally, its perspective shifts to third person limited, with a focus on Henri’s thoughts and feelings. This is especially useful for the times when Henri and Nancy are apart. For instance, the reader only learns that Henri is being tortured by Marceline and Monsieur Pacquet thanks to a change in perspective. This makes the jump back to Nancy’s point of view all the more powerful and creates a sense of dramatic irony, since the reader knows something she...