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srah's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.5
I took off a quarter point for being a bit longer and slower than it needed to be, and another quarter point for the graphic descriptions in the Café de Paris scene, which I have been thinking about all week since I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Forced institutionalization, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Genocide and Homophobia
fifteenthjessica's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This will probably be my last finished novel of 2022, and I'll definitely check out more by Kate Quinn.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
franklola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Genocide
beautifulpaxielreads's review
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.
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.
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
rmperash's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, and Medical trauma
remy_licked_my_book's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a 4.5 star read for me! Fascinating story based on incredible, true research done by Kate Quinn. I listened to this as an audiobook and it was a lovely listen. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WWII reads or anything about the royal family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- 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
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free review copy of this book.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
abby_p's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and War
linesiunderline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Ah Kate Quinn… I’ve only read 3 of her books but I can easily say that she writes historical fiction better than most. I adored The Huntress, and for me, The Rose Code equaled it. Another 5⭐️ experience.
I don’t think The Rose Code was as tense a read as The Huntress, however the way that Quinn brings the three central female characters to life is every bit as satisfying as the page turning quality of her previous novel. I could’ve read an entire book about each one of the code breaking women at the heart of The Rose Code.
One of the most tantalizing qualities of great historical fiction is how it gives the reader a feeling of being transported, and Quinn excels at this. When I read her books, I am temporarily pulled away from the present time and I sink down into an experience from the past, and I love that sense of traveling away into the story. I can get lost in her books.
Absolutely brilliantly narrated on audio, and certainly worthy of rereading, this will be one of my favourite books of the year!
I don’t think The Rose Code was as tense a read as The Huntress, however the way that Quinn brings the three central female characters to life is every bit as satisfying as the page turning quality of her previous novel. I could’ve read an entire book about each one of the code breaking women at the heart of The Rose Code.
One of the most tantalizing qualities of great historical fiction is how it gives the reader a feeling of being transported, and Quinn excels at this. When I read her books, I am temporarily pulled away from the present time and I sink down into an experience from the past, and I love that sense of traveling away into the story. I can get lost in her books.
Absolutely brilliantly narrated on audio, and certainly worthy of rereading, this will be one of my favourite books of the year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
meresand's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was a joy to watch unravel, despite heartbreaking events, it never loses hope. The story follows a complicated, loving, and real friendship between three women doing incredible work. It perfectly infuses the opulence of the city with the horrors of war, all the while sewing a continuous thread of mystery throughout the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Abortion
Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse