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kathrynje's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I listeded to the audio version from Libro.fm and it was soooooo good!
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
fifteenthjessica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
World War II is in full swing, and decrypting German and Italian messages may be the difference between victory and defeat. Bletchley Park becomes a center of British Intelligence activity, and with many men at war, women are among the people brought in to help. Three of the women--Osla Kendall, a witty socialite who aspires to be seen as more than a ditzy debutante; Mab Churt, a jaded young woman from the poor side of London determined to make a better life for herself; and Beth Finch, a spinster near Bletchley Park who after years of bullying from her mother thinks she's not good for much else other than household help and solving crossword puzzles--form a strong friendship that breaks before the end of the war. A few years later, as the world prepares to watch Osla's war time beau Philip marry Princess Elizabeth, Osla and Mab receive coded letters from Beth saying that there was a traitor at Bletchley Park who was behind her commitment to an insane asylum, and she needs their help get out and catch them.
The novel is overall excellent, most of the characters are lovable (although the traitor felt very two-dimensional), and Quinn shows skill with the genres she blends for this. As someone who isn't that big on romance, I did find myself rooting for most of the couples, even to a certain extent Philip and Osla's doomed romance, however, it would have been nicer if there was more code breaking and mystery worked in. At times, Bletchley Park feels like it's only present in the novel to put higher stakes into the 1947 portion. Another thing is that Quinn paints a great portrait of how, even in relatively egalitarian places like Bletchley Park, misogyny still rears its ugly head.
I was initially going to give it 5 stars, but looking back over my notes, I remembered some pacing issues. At times the narrative switching between the war years and the madcap hunt for the traitor before Philip and Elizabeth's wedding (as well as between the three main characters' POV) was well done, other times it was questionable. Probably the worst incident of this is Beth coming to a (false) conclusion of who the traitor is, only for the very next chapter to reveal the traitor's real identity when they literally show up and tell her. Not to mention, chapter 3 gave such a strong portrait of Mab and Osla's characters that Chapters 1 and 2 seemed extraneous except for bring up some important relationships they have with people outside of Bletchley Park.
Graphic: Confinement and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Genocide, Homophobia, Racism, and Blood
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The novel follows three women who worked there - socialite Osla Kendall, working-class Mabel "Mab" Churt, and shy but brilliant local girl, Bethan "Beth" Finch who today would probably be diagnosed as autistic.
Kate Quinn excels in creating a vivid atmosphere, rich in historical detail with characters who feel three-dimensional. These characters are either composites of real people, fictionalised versions of real people, or actual historical figures - such as the late Prince Philip
But even though it's clear that Quinn did her homework on history, I found that upon reading the extensive author's note, I disliked the way she adapted characters and historical events to suit the plot. I know most authors of historical fiction do this, and normally I don't have a problem with it, but somehow it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it's because the backdrop of the novel is set in (relatively) recent times. I don't know - maybe it's just me.
Anyway, The Rose Code is still a beautifully written and excellently-paced novel - but if you're a historical purist, it might not be your cup of tea.
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Minor: Genocide and Antisemitism
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! It's a perfect complement to the typical WWII books and I've always been interested in the Bletchly Park codebreakers. I did feel that it was a little too long, but it was beautifully written and I can't wait to read more by Kate Quinn.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Sexual content
jackiepreston's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
katymaryreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel I may have missed out on some details by listening to the audio while doing other things, so I may well re-read this in the future.
It made me want to re-visit Bletchley Park!
Graphic: Death and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Sexual assault, and War
jlewis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book moves between the war years and 1947, with a slow build-up to why the relationship between the 3 women has gone so badly wrong, and then quite a fast-paced and tense resolution at the end.
So what are the faults? Well, the author is American and there is quite a lot of American vocabulary that could have done with being edited by a British editor. And she seems oblivious to how rare household telephones were in the war years in Britain, and certainly would not have been found in an impoverished East End house. Worst of all, in the audio version, the narrator pronounces Keswick as Kes-Wick.
Some of the plot centres around one of the lead characters being in a relationship with Prince Philip. While I think his character is drawn with a good deal of respect, I’m not sure it adds much to the book and an alternative, fictional aristocrat would have fitted the bill equally.
But my biggest complaint is the liberties she takes with her characters, particularly Beth, in order to drive the plot along. Her behaviour in the situation in which she finds herself in 1947 is utterly out of character, and there are other anomalies earlier in the book.
Having said which, I look forward to reading more by this author.
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Racism
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts
jenkneebee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma