Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • A Woman of No Importance

  • The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII's Most Dangerous Spy
  • By: Sonia Purnell
  • Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
  • Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (469 ratings)

$0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
A Woman of No Importance cover art

A Woman of No Importance

By: Sonia Purnell
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT

Listeners also enjoyed...

Code Name: Lise cover art
Madame Fourcade's Secret War cover art
A Life in Secrets cover art
The Greatest Generation cover art
The Silence Before Dawn cover art
The White Mouse cover art
Courage & Defiance cover art
MacArthur's Spies cover art
The Indigo Girl cover art
A Man Called Intrepid cover art
The Women of Chateau Lafayette cover art
American Ulysses cover art
Beneath a Scarlet Sky cover art
A Girl Called Samson cover art
Hidden Places cover art
Resistance Women cover art

Summary

The New York Times best seller.

In September 1941, a young American woman strides up the steps of a hotel in Lyon, Vichy France. Her papers say she is a journalist. Her wooden leg is disguised by a determined gait and a distracting beauty. She is there to spark the resistance.

By 1942 Virginia Hall was the Gestapo's most urgent target, having infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare and sprung soldiers from Nazi prison camps. The first woman to go undercover for British SOE, her intelligence changed the course of the war - but her fight was still not over.

This is a spy history like no other, telling the story of the hunting accident that disabled her, the discrimination she fought and the secret life that helped her triumph over shocking adversity.

Winner of the Plutarch Award for Best Biography

©2019 Sonia Purnell (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"A rousing tale of derring-do." (The Times)

"Riveting." (Mick Herron)

"Superb." (Irish Times)

What listeners say about A Woman of No Importance

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    389
  • 4 Stars
    61
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    356
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    364
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional read.

Very interesting and humbling subject matter, a story of quiet bravery and commitment. Beautifully read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ultimate female wartime agent

Gripping story of Virginia Hall’s wartime exploits, narrated well by Juliet Stevenson. Her heroism is unsurpassed, but sadly not reflected in her treatment by the authorities after the war. Excellent research and recounting by Sonia Purnell, without which Virginia’s award of the Croix de Guerre with Palm might still have remained unrecorded. Recommended read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent in every way .....

I’d never heard of Virginia Hall - what a woman and what an inspiration. Hugely enjoyed the story and narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A truly remarkable woman’s life

Having not lived through a war, this was an insight into a truly remarkable woman’s life, showing determination and courage despite all odds. Thank you to Sonia Purnell who took the time to capture Virginia Hall’s story in the greatest of detail which is an inspiration of what good leadership can achieve.
Narrated beautifully by the talented Juliet Stevenson who brings the story to life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb story of courage

Incredibly absorbing and brilliant book, about a heroine who displayed unbelievable courage. Beautifully narrated, too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational

Don’t miss this book. Beautifully narrated and fascinating story. One of the best books I have listened to. Humbling to learn of the bravery and sacrifice made during the occupation of France.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

brave lady

a story about a brave and strong lady o had never heard off. a great read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational story of courage and determination which is deserving of the attention of all

The courage and determination showed by this lady throughout her life is truly inspirational. She fought the Germans and discrimination in equal measure and beat them both. Her story is brilliantly told and expertly narrated and leaves an indelible legacy for all those who make the choice to share it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Worthwhile listen

An enthralling story beautifully read. Virginia Hall was a strong woman who found purpose and happiness as an SOE and OSS operative in Nazi occupied France.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bravery not to be forgotten

This is a compelling true tale of how one person can go above and beyond their duty when they are trusted to do do.
Churchill’s words of, Never do so many owe their lives to so few, is an accurate description of the bravery of all the the Resistance, their helpers, and of course the main person. I
The book really does give an insight into their lives although we can not feel the pain, suffering and loss of all concern.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!