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leahegood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Osla, Mab, and Beth ... three girls with wildly different backgrounds and socioeconomic standing, all pulled together by WWII and thrust into the secretive, chaotic, exhilarating work of code breaking.
Told in dual timeline between war time and post-war, this book shows the three protagonists learning to break codes, learning who they are as people, learning their way into friendship, finding love, and losing themselves down the rabbit hole of bombings and the high-stakes wonderland of Bletchly Park.
My Thoughts
This was the most unique WWII novel I've come across in a while. Unsurprising since it's a more niche war time experience (code breaking) and based largely on real-life people. I'm definitely curious to read some of the autobiographies and non-fiction books mentioned in the authors note!
While I give the book all the points for interest and readability, it did toe the line of spice level I'm willing to read. Though not explicit, the narrative nudged a bit past fade-to-black in the bedroom and also blurred ethical lines regarding extra marital (both pre-marriage and within-marriage) sex. The one element that makes me excuse this, ever so slightly, is that some of this content followed the real life narrative of the characters involved in the story.
Content
Sexuality: As mentioned above, the narrative is not explicit but does nudge past the fade-to-black point. This includes making out and intercourse in contexts of marriage, pre-marriage, consensual outside-of-marriage, and sexual assault. Contraceptives are discussed. Homosexuality is mentioned in passing.
Violence: Infrequent. Two instances of bombing aftermaths include stark, but not gratuitous, imagery of destroyed bodies. Nightmares regarding bombing violence and sexual assault are experienced.
Language: Characters swear throughout the book.
Religion: An abusive parent uses Bible passages to enforce her control. Characters mention attending (and enjoying) chapel, but do not live according to Biblical standards
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Islamophobia, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
rockshaw22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and War
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
kenny_2288's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
author2223'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and War
Moderate: Racial slurs
val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
Sexual assault: One of the main characters had to fight off some guys.
Sexual content: This woman at 17 had sex. This other woman gave an oral to some man. The girls have a conversation about sex. This woman has sex with her husband.
Racism: This man has dark skin (can’t remember where he’s from) and his father in law asks if he has N blood.
Death, child death, grief: This woman looses her husband and daughter in a bombing.
Cursing: There’s A LOT of this when they fight.
kailiyahknight's review against another edition
- 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
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
laura_ash'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? No
3.75
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Racial slurs
cathy_alice's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
That aside, it’s a really interesting read and takes you right into the complicated history of Bletchley Park. Full of emotion to balance out the complicated history.
I loved that the 3 main characters were completely different personalities and of very different backgrounds, but all were equally valid and important in their roles at Bletchley Park and in the wider narrative.
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Racial slurs and Sexual assault
megritchey's review against another edition
- 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
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
jencolumb0'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Torture, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Abortion, and Pregnancy
The racism and islamophobia are challenged to a degree. There is also a favorable depiction of an open marriage where criticism thereof is challenged.