Description
Book SynopsisNow reprinted, this revealing autobiography includes a prologue and epilogue written by two of the author's sons, Leeroy and Peter, who have pieced together more of this poignant love and life story. Nora's father, as Director General of the Soviet Foreign Office based in Moscow, is purged by Stalin, leaving his young daughter without kith or kin. The State forces her to meet up with diplomats and foreigners to report back with any information on their activities. One of her targets is John Murray, a cypher (code writer/decoder) at the British Embassy in Moscow. However, by falling in love with him she is classified as a traitor, arrested and imprisoned. John achieves her release by Stalin. In 1939, John and others of the Embassy staff are evacuated when the German army enters Moscow's suburbs. He is sent to Archangel, leaving Nora alone in his John's embassy quarters. With only forged papers, she begins a terrifying 1,000 kilometer journey to the desolate wastes of the Arctic port to bid farewell to John. Instead, they decide to marry; this and their eventual escape to safety and happiness in England shapes a thrilling climax to this true story.
Trade ReviewTimes Literary Supplement: The real story is in the simple, graphic and almost entirely persuasive account of her observations as a member of a highly privileged caste in Soviet society. Oxford Mail: A woman of infinite ingenuity, persistence and great courage. The book would make an admirable film on the lines of "Odette". Yorkshire Observer: As a work of fiction one would have regarded it as highly exciting and admirably constructed. Yet, astonishingly, every word is true. Yorkshire Evening Press: How she fell in love and married the man she was forced to spy on is admirably told, but nothing could be more thrilling than her ultimate escape from the secret police. Yorkshire Post: Told with a simplicity that carries conviction, and with a narrative skill that makes it as absorbing as any novel. Aberdeen Express: A remarkable story of personal courage. The revelations are grim and often terrifying. Birmingham Gazette: A curious story, dramatic, moving and always interesting. Cambridge Daily News: A curious human story. Good Housekeeper: Told without melodrama or hysterics and indeed with a calmness and sympathy that is surprising. The story is of an immensely courageous woman.
