1940, three different women answer the Bletchley Park call. Osla, a debutante fluent in German puts her mind to the test decoding secrets. Mab, a self-made woman searches for a solid man while she works the machines. Beth, drawn into the fight by Osla and Mab is one of the only female cryptanalysts . Three women whose friendship is torn apart the longer the war rages on.
1947, three friends turned enemies are reunited via an encrypted letter. The letter is key to why their friendship burned and left one stuck in an asylum. It is up to them to discover the traitor in that letter and crack one last code but with each decipher, danger and the enemy draws near.
| Why The Rose Code Is Worth Your Time
Are you joking? This novel is an absolute and utter smash. It is 656 pages and not one was out of place. I listened to The Rose Code on audio and I typically only listen to audiobooks on walks - not for this. I had to sit down and stare into space as I listened because I was so captivated. I cannot rave enough about how captivating this novel is and is why it is absolutely worth your time.
With strong women, strong men, and a strong strong story, The Rose Code by Kate Quinn will meet your expectations. It is a novel of code breakers, secrets, power, and fury. It is about the terror of living in the UK during WWII and how each individual played a part, big or small, in the war effort.
You will be hooked. This is a story created to be adored and is one of wonderful code and a final break.
| Plot Progression
Yes! It is told from two timelines, the beginning of the war onwards and post-war. Intertwined beautifully together, because you know that one character ends up in an asylum and why, the prelude to how makes the two timelines work well together.
The moments in Bletchley Park, BP for short, those themselves told their own story of three individuals and their journey's. All so powerful and different and frustrating at the same time. Fantastic!
| Characters
There are a wide array of characters in this novel with Osla, Mab, and Beth the narrator's of the story. Osla adores work despite being born into a high-class family. Mab, she has a hardworking attitude and pained history. And lastly Beth, a woman pulled into the war who finally discovers what she is made of. Three women bound together by BP and the secrets within. These women are delights to read but I must say some of the accent choices on audio are a bit questionable but luckily they did not detract from how well rounded these characters are.
You will know their history, you will know their frustrations, and you will know their desires. Including all the supporting characters from their love interests, co-workers, family, and the traitor, which combined with how certain characters are historically incorporated makes them phenomenal. (PS. Can you tell I think this book is worth your time?)
| Ending
Main Genre | Historical Fiction.
Year Published | 2021
Rating | 10 / 10
Worth Your Time? Absolutely.
| My Thoughts
WARNING: Skip My Thoughts for a spoiler free review.
Please enjoy this lengthy My Thoughts section and remember, skip this section for a spoiler free review!
The Rose Code was jaw-droppingly fantastic. I listened on audio and that was to my own detriment because it took me much longer to finish than I wanted. I could not stop listening. I mean, it was 656 pages long and every single page was warranted. Written so beautifully and voiced so well, even if the accents were not the best, I could not tear myself away. This, this was fantastic!
Beth, Osla, and Mab were all dynamic women whom I loved dearly. They each were strong and I cannot reiterate how much I adored them. Oh, did you want something more succinct and a bit more detailed about my thoughts? No. I only have positive ramblings to give because I only have positive thoughts for every aspect of this novel. It combined history with fiction and created strong women I adored; this book is all about strength, thank you.
I don't even have a favourite character, I found them all to be worthy of my love. I love how strong Osla was in who she was, I love how Beth stood up for herself and was smarter than she thought, and I love Mab for fighting and never stopping her fight. War is truly pain and I think the dynamics of their lives embodied that statement.
I was pained by Beth's incarceration. I was upset by Osla's dismissal of a man she loved. I was broken, truly broken, by Francis and Lucy's death and the role Osla and Beth played in it. I loved how this was written and like The Alice Network, I felt a sense of vindication and triumph finishing this novel. At least I did not cry as much this time.
And, guess who thought the traitor was Giles? Me! When he asked Mab what the goss was, I thought to myself "that's an awfully chummy individual, I bet he's the spy," and my goodness, I was right. The last time I guessed the culprit was when reading One of Us Is Lying and that novel does not even stand in relation to deception so I was shocked I guessed the spy. Giles, a man liked by all and Osla was engaged to him?!? What was this insanity that was so perfectly wound together that none of it felt to be too much.
What a gorgeous novel by Kate Quinn that is absolutely and utterly worth the hype. An absolute must, yes. Over and over.
| Your Thoughts
Did you decide that The Rose Code is worth a read? If so, let me know what you thought of the novel below! And check out My Thoughts once finished for guess what, my thoughts on this literary adventure!
Are you looking for something else? Check out these historical fiction novels instead!
Was this worth an hour of your time? Because it was undoubtedly worth an hour of mine and many many more.
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