Play Book Tag discussion

The Rose Code – Kate Quinn
Book on CD narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
3.5***

Quinn uses her talent for historical fiction to explore the women (and men) who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII, and who were credited with breaking the German Enigma code. The novel focuses on three women: Osla (a debutante who is dating Prince Phillip), Mab (self-made, rising out of poverty and intent on making an advantageous match), and Beth (a mouse of a girl living under her mother’s thumb, but with a head for ciphers). And, as had become almost mandatory in this genre, there is a dual timeline. Though at least here, both are historical: 1940 and 1947.

I was fascinated to learn more about the goings on at Bletchley Park. The secrecy required of workers there was paramount, even long past the end of the war. One result was that the workers became their own community, with sports teams, dances, dining and affairs helping to relieve the stress of their work. Still, the emotional toll resulted in several workers breaking down and some even being confined to high-security mental asylums, as the government could not risk the possibility that they would leak information. Quinn shows all these aspects in the novel.

She also highlights a strong friendship between three women who would never have met were it not for the war work they undertook. I really liked how Quinn showed how the friendship between these three developed. And how their loyalty to one another, though severely tested, became central to the conclusion of the story.

Saskia Maarleveld does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She has a lot of characters to handle, men and women, young and old, from different regions of England, and she is up to the task.


LINK to my review

Thanks for this good review. This book has been on the "waiting list" of books to read - stacked just beside my bed. Your review makes it sound great but there is a negative tone since you gave it a 3.5 rating. And I swore off of WW2 books about a year ago - overload. Should I go to this next or to a 4 or 5 rated book? Thank you for your information. peace, janz

I really loved this one, so I'm sorry it didn't quite hit the mark for you.

Peacejanz wrote: "Thanks for this good review. This book has been on the "waiting list" of books to read - stacked just beside my bed. Your review makes it sound great but there is a negative tone since you gave it ..."

I really dislike the dual-timeline that seem required for historical fiction these days. Just tell me the story, please.