beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- 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
For the most part, The Rose Code was a gripping, compelling work set against the backdrop of the Bletchley Park codebreaking operation in Buckinghamshire, England, during the Second World War.
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, the-then Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and Winston Churchill.
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.
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
Spoiler
(who the fictionalised Osla is in a relationship with, as was the real Osla before he married the now-late Queen)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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Violence, War, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Bullying, Racism, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racial slurs, Ableism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Antisemitism and Genocide
Spoiler
A past gang rape attempt is described. The survivor, Mab, manages to fend off her attackers, and as a result of this, she has a fear of sexual intimacy. Another main character, Beth, is probably autistic - although this is never stated explicitly. She is bullied by her mother. Once employed at Bletchley Park, Beth experiences breakdowns and burnout, and works for hours at a time. She is later sent by one of the other employees at Bletchley Park to a sanatorium in order to ensure her silence about an act of treason. Once there, she is coerced, abused and gaslighted by the staff and on one occasion exchanges sexual favours for information. She also later is threatened with undergoing a lobotomy, and the procedure is described in detail. It does occur to another minor character, but Beth is rescued before the procedure is carried out.kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had no idea about Bletchley Park or the work that was done there during World War II. This historical-fiction did a great job of giving me some insight into what went on at BP and who the people working there were. This book is equal parts funny, hopeful, devastating, thought-provoking, and sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, War, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Rape, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Cursing, and Child abuse
jlewis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
There are a good many flaws in this book, which is a pity, but even so I enjoyed it (audio version) immensely. Set in WW2 at Bletchley Park, the protagonists are 3 very different women who work there and the relationship between them. Even though I have been to Bletchley Park, I felt I had a much better idea of the work there after reading this book, but it wasn’t heavy-handed in too much technical detail.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Racism
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