Women Characters as Spies

[Charlyn Tuzon]

I think they were smart enough and deceiving enough to be used as spies. You can't blame them for having the body and looks - it just shows that men are weak when it comes to women. I think them being portrayed as prostitutes and at the same time spies, shows that men are easily deceived by women. Contrary to what others think or deem it as "weakness", I see it that even in wars, women are still assets and can be the reason that "men" won the war. This is shown in Sarah's character. Though this is not evident in the whole book as these women are not the main characters, I still think the author made it clear that women can be as powerful as any man - and dangerous too.

I agree to this, especially when you said that you can't blame the girls for having the body and looks given to them. Even if the women are physically attractive, there is so much more to them, and I thought they were brave to be willing and even volunteer to be spies. I think they did what they can to help win the war.

[briellejee]

Though the women may be depicted as smart, there could still be an improvement in regard to their role and their character development. Women deserve more than stereotype roles, even if such roles seem to intend to show their strength or intelligence.

I agree that there should be an improvement on their roles, but seeing that it is set in a war zone, and the fact that it is written by a male author, and also considering that the era is where patriarchy still resides strongly, there is little to be improved in their roles. We have to consider also that the book is a historical fiction, therefore depicts some truths - however disappointing in this age.

[Cecilia_L]

I am glad you brought this up. I didn't like how women were generally portrayed in the book. In my opinion, most of the female spies were easily disposable. Out of all of them, Yasmina was the most well-developed. I couldn't tell the rest apart from one another. It felt like they were simply included to benefit and help Jamie, Jacko and the other lead male characters.

While they came across as smart, it was clear their looks and bodies did most of the work for them. They were effective in their roles but I wish more work could have been done to make their personalities shine through.

This is one of my pet peeves too.

[Bluebird03]

I like the idea of smart women being cast in the role of spies. Yes, they may have great looks and bodies that they use as "bait", but I love the fact that they can combine intelligence, wit, street smarts etc., to accomplish their goals and contribute to winning the war. After all, isn't there a phrase "all is fair in love and war"?

[Ak1412]

Women don't have to be depicted as the most important part of a story to still be considered strong and independent. One can come without the other.

[lotus784]

It obviously takes a lot to be a spy. They used their beauty to their advantage in their role. However, it's not just a pretty face that makes the spy. They are intelligent and well-trained. While they may be lacking some development, their positions as spies should tell us a lot in itself.

[Gemma_15]

It's a good idea to use women in those lines of work as spies. But, character development is something that is needed for all characters in a book and these women seemed disposable. I mean, I can see it being realistic, but it's really just sad to me.

[Miercoles]

While the women in the novel were the key to the success of the spy mission, there was not much work done to fully develop their characters. Sarah was the most fearless of all the ladies, but we know little about her except that she is Jacko's sister. I hope that we see her in the other novels in the series.

[Anon_Reviewer]

This is a theme I notice more and more as I get older, and don't necessarily see improving in many of the newer books released. And my patience with it is a lot thinner than it used to be. Women as "strong" is great but it seems to be a substitute for women as people, especially among male authors. I agree with the comments made here about Yasmina, Fahmy, Fifi, and Yvette.

That being said, I wasn't necessarily expecting much since historical fiction war books written by men tend to be really terrible at this, and I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. But I think its a weakness in this book and in the genre, and I'm kind of sick of excusing it. (And I'm torn about that because many otherwise good books have that as a flaw, and I'm never sure how harsh its fair to be about it.)

Thank you for this topic, I think it's something we need to talk about more!

I completely echo your thoughts here. Many historical fiction novels usually take a jab at women's role in society. It's always a reminder of how bad women had it back then. I doubt it will ever completely stop doing that. But, I've read some books that go against this norm.

It's worth mentioning though, that the other women in this book are portrayed well. For example, Monique and Sarah. So kudos to Kater for that.

[Anon_Reviewer]

I am glad you brought this up. I didn't like how women were generally portrayed in the book. In my opinion, most of the female spies were easily disposable. Out of all of them, Yasmina was the most well-developed. I couldn't tell the rest apart from one another. It felt like they were simply included to benefit and help Jamie, Jacko and the other lead male characters.

While they came across as smart, it was clear their looks and bodies did most of the work for them. They were effective in their roles but I wish more work could have been done to make their personalities shine through.

On one hand I agree with you to some extent. On the other though, their looks and bodies were what got them the jobs of dances or prostitutes, spying was just a secondary thing using their position. Besides, they weren't really spies, or part of the military, or intelligence. They merely were there to aid the main characters. But look at Sarah who was even better at tracking then Jacko. Or the successful bussinesswoman Madame Badia.

Mmmm, you got me thinking there. I actually like your take on the issue. As I was reading your reply, I couldn't help but also think of Monique as well. It's still a bit sad that most of the women who could help were in those types of professions. It would have been interesting if there was a female character spy with the same ranking as Jamie and Jacko. But, I guess history wouldn't agree.

[Nyambura Githui]

You right guys, the Aussies army made a great job in choosing those ladies. The ladies were not just using their looks, but also their brains helping to win the war.

It takes a great deal of intelligence to be a spy. You have to learn your enemy, you have to plan how to deceive him, and not to mention, you also have to be prepared on how to get out if they knew you were one.

I agree. The women are strong and brave to become spies. But the role they play in order to spy is kind of demeaning.

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

In my opinion, the female characters were potrayed brave and independent but only due to circumstances. Being a spy, their bravery and boldness were required to get the job done, but I found that the author tried a little too much to show us that Yasmina would be the standout of the spies. I can barely differentiate the rest of them from one another.

[Chikari]

You right guys, the Aussies army made a great job in choosing those ladies. The ladies were not just using their looks, but also their brains helping to win the war.

It takes a great deal of intelligence to be a spy. You have to learn your enemy, you have to plan how to deceive him, and not to mention, you also have to be prepared on how to get out if they knew you were one.

I agree to this point as well. It wouldn't be an easy thing to be a spy successfully. I don't 100 percent agree with how women are portrayed in this book, but I don't think they're overall being discounted.

[ma_mon28]

I like the idea of smart women being cast in the role of spies. Yes, they may have great looks and bodies that they use as "bait", but I love the fact that they can combine intelligence, wit, street smarts etc., to accomplish their goals and contribute to winning the war. After all, isn't there a phrase "all is fair in love and war"?

Even to the point of death, Yvette and Fifi never hesitate to refused such offer. Perfectly said, it looks like they are the bait on a dangerous mission.

The girls even suggested or voluntered that they can surely do it.

[ma_mon28]

You right guys, the Aussies army made a great job in choosing those ladies. The ladies were not just using their looks, but also their brains helping to win the war.

It takes a great deal of intelligence to be a spy. You have to learn your enemy, you have to plan how to deceive him, and not to mention, you also have to be prepared on how to get out if they knew you were one.

I agree to this point as well. It wouldn't be an easy thing to be a spy successfully. I don't 100 percent agree with how women are portrayed in this book, but I don't think they're overall being discounted.

Exactly, without there contribution, it's hard for them to
decode the Hallicrafter.