What do you think?
Rate this book
Escape
‘The Great Escape’ meets ‘The Danish Girl’Simon Ferguson wants to fly – or at least work with aircraft, but that dream seems impossible until war breaks out.
When his father is killed at Dunkirk, he takes a job with a Civilian Repair Organisation repairing aircraft. As soon as is old enough, he joins the RAF and trains as a Flight Engineer.
Simon’s Stirling bomber is shot down and, after evading capture for several days, he and his Skipper are caught and sent to Prisoner of War camps.
While on the run, Simon notices that older men and couples attract less attention from the authorities.
Can he find a way to use this information?
Can he persuade others to support his plan?
Will the result make him question who he really is?
When his father is killed at Dunkirk, he takes a job with a Civilian Repair Organisation repairing aircraft. As soon as is old enough, he joins the RAF and trains as a Flight Engineer.
Simon’s Stirling bomber is shot down and, after evading capture for several days, he and his Skipper are caught and sent to Prisoner of War camps.
While on the run, Simon notices that older men and couples attract less attention from the authorities.
Can he find a way to use this information?
Can he persuade others to support his plan?
Will the result make him question who he really is?
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 24, 2025
This is a gripping WWII story with a unique twist. After Simon Ferguson’s bomber is shot down, he’s captured and sent to a POW camp — but his greatest escape may be discovering who he truly is. Blending wartime tension with deep personal identity themes, this is a bold, thought-provoking read that stays with you.
November 6, 2025
As someone who loves wartime fiction, this story hit me hard. Simon’s journey from dreamer to soldier to prisoner is gripping, but what really stood out was the inner transformation he goes through. The identity themes caught me off guard in the best way. It’s more than just a war story, it’s about what survival does to a person. Beautifully written and deeply human.
November 6, 2025
I was completely absorbed from the first chapter. Simon’s struggle to find his place during the war felt so real. The book captures courage, loss, and identity with rare sensitivity. I didn’t expect the emotional turn toward the end, but it was handled with so much grace. I closed the last page feeling both heartbroken and inspired.
November 6, 2025
Helen Dale does an incredible job portraying the tension of wartime life and captivity. What struck me most was the subtle way she explores gender and identity without losing the historical realism. It’s not a loud story, but it stays with you. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates character-driven war fiction with emotional depth.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews