Reviews tagging 'Antisemitism'

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

7 reviews

lyddie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

This was a FANTASTIC work of Historical Fiction!! I loved it from start to finish and was intrigued the entire time by the cast of characters and the top secret military work they were doing for WW2. This book was steeped in a lot of true history that the author honored and added to in a lovely way to create a gripping story. It is full of depth, intrigue, humor, high stakes, and is intellectually and emotionally challenging in the best ways. Definitely recommend!!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Antisemitism, and War

kailiyahknight's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Racial slurs

Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

megritchey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, and War

Moderate: Cancer, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Genocide, Suicide, Blood, Excrement, Antisemitism, Abortion, and Pregnancy

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

(who the fictionalised Osla is in a relationship with, as was the real Osla before he married the now-late Queen)

, 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.

---

Content Warnings

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

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.

She also has an affair with a married man called Harry Zarb. Harry and his wife Sheila have an open marriage, staying together for the sake of their only son, who has polio.

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, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and War

kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child death, Death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, and Medical trauma

fortwords's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you to @netgalley and @harperaudio for the advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases 3/9. 

The Rose Code • Kate Quinn 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
——————————————————————
👍🏼 Thumbs Up: 
I loved this book! It’s a fascinating look at the women code breakers during WWII. There is a fascinating mystery component and a lot of character development! 
•
👎🏻 Thumbs Down:
It was a little slow on the uptake for me. Once I got into it, though, I couldn’t put it down! 
•
🤓 For Readers WHO:
Are fans of historical fiction, and even if you’re tired of WWII I would recommend this one and say it’s well worth your time! This book is The Imitation Game meets The Crown! 
•
👉🏼 This is what’s WHAT:
Three women find themselves working at Bletchley Park assisting with code breaking. Their time together results in great personal upheaval that must be righted years later when a dangerous truth is discovered about their time at BP. 
•
⏳WHEN I read this book:
I couldn’t put it down! I listened to it constantly. This is high praise from someone who is very critical of WWII HF. 
•
🚨WHERE you should watch out:
Death, violence, adultery, treason, death of a child, forced institutionalization 
•
📍WHY you should read this book:
It’s a great look at a lesser known part of WWII history 
•
📚 HOW I read this book:
Advanced audio copy provided by @netgalley and @harperaudio

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, and Grief