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er_marie's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. After reading The Rose Code I knew I wanted to continue reading Bletchley Park stories and this one did not disappoint. I really connected with the characters and thought the story was beautifully written.
dawnlaw's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous!
I loved this book, it had me gripped. It was so interesting and well written. I’m very interested in WW2 and the work at Bletchley so I couldn’t put the book down, I was very invested in the characters and their lives. An excellent read.
I loved this book, it had me gripped. It was so interesting and well written. I’m very interested in WW2 and the work at Bletchley so I couldn’t put the book down, I was very invested in the characters and their lives. An excellent read.
chrisjay94's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice easy read about Bletchley Park. It was a different view of the war as it focused on the codebreakers working on the Mediterranean and African fronts. It was probably more 3.5 stars because of some editing issues.
thatchickengirl23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Outing and Injury/Injury detail
emmacr2024's review against another edition
4.0
The Bletchley Girls by Anna Stuart is a fantastic read following three young women and the secret work they did at Bletchley Park throughout the second world war. Admittedly, I found it be a bit slow going at the start as introductions were made and background provided to the three main characters and to the work that went on at the park. I did think where could this story possible go as nothing much appeared to be happening bar giving the reader details. But I should have known that Anna Stuart was merely whetting the readers appetite and she had lots and lots in store. For once the women spread their wings so to speak the plot took on a whole other level and this developed from an enjoyable easy read to something much more. I became completely engrossed in the numerous twists and turns and the detail was just incredible. It was fast paced, edge of your seat stuff and you really felt as if you were there alongside the women as each became a vital cog in a much bigger machine and all with one aim, to put a stop to Hitler’s rampage once and for all.
Three very different young women arrive at Bletchley Park as raw recruits but they each have one common goal to help with the intelligence work which will hopefully aid those on the front and ultimately bring about the downfall of Hitler. They sign the official secrets act promising never to talk to anyone of the work they engage in. It’s 1940 and Steffie arrives having had to flee Rome at the outbreak of war. Her father had been the military attaché at the British embassy and his contacts had secured her this job. But as the story progresses Steffie proves she is not just some top dogs daughter rather in fact she proves she has what it takes to see connections where others don’t. She can take in the whole picture and time and time again as she eventually travels to foreign shores she demonstrates that she is worthy of her position. She has left her fiancée Matteo behind in Italy and rather than preparing for a wedding she finds herself thrust into a male dominated world where she hopes to show that women can play a vital role and should be valued and listened to.
Alisa really is a fish out of water. She has gone against her parents wishes and left the isolated Scottish island of North Uist. Her parents wanted her to marry and have children and more or less never stray from the island. She was shy and nervous and a bit stand offish at first but I think that’s because she was nervous and had taken such a brave leap into the unknown. She had a talent when it came to detecting radio frequencies and recording messages and this grew the more I read about her. She was really just a young girl who wanted some adventure and to see the world. Alisa had such strength to go against what her parents wanted for her. I think she was perhaps out of the three women the one who changed the most and through her work and dedication underwent such a transformation. Her journey takes her away from British soil and she was right in the path of danger but her resilience, her sharpness and her willingness to put herself on the line time and time again deserved nothing but admiration.
Fran was a character I loved. In fact I loved all three but perhaps Fran was the one who edged out for me ahead of the other two just a little bit. All credit to her for not following the route of entering medicine as her parents had and wished for her to do also. She wished to study literature at university and had taken up a job in the university library. This is how she came to work in the park as her fellow librarian Peter was one of the men chosen to operate in the huts that were within the park. So many little units working together to play their part and the camaraderie that was built up was amazing. I loved the intrigue and mystery that developed as the story took a surprising turn and Fran as she was so brilliant at organising everything ramped up her efforts to crack the clues and join the dots. There was a real sense of academia about her which stood her in good stead. No doubt about it the women each had a difficult, challenging and taxing job but they also had the intelligence and wherewithal to keep going in the face of stiff opposition.
I had never previously read a book that centred on the top secret intelligence work that occurred at Bletchley Park and I think that’s also why I became so engrossed and enthralled the more the plot was developed. After reading so many books in the World War Two genre at times you can became tired of the same old story rehashed in the same way with yet again a predictable ending but here because the subject matter for me was so fresh, vivid and gripping I felt like I was reading about the war from a totally different perspective and thanks to the detailed research by the author I was fascinated and intrigued by everything going on. There could have been a danger that at some points this story could have slipped into becoming more like a textbook as specifics regarding decoding and radio operators etc were detailed but thankfully that never became the case. Every little detail provided brought so much to the story and therefore this became a very compelling read.
I have read so much of people fighting at the front, of resistance groups and of course the camps but now I have developed a deep appreciation for the relentless work that was carried out by so many men and women whose brains and ingenuity helped win the war. These brave, courageous women that featured here were hardworking and filled with such integrity and loyalty to their cause and each individual brought their talents and skills to the team. I would have loved an epilogue to really wrap things up. I know there was an ending of sorts for the characters but I still felt there was a bit more to be told as the war had not concluded by the time the book finished. But I suppose that’s me being greedy and wanting more and it’s also the sign of a very good book. The detailed notes at the end provided by the author were a welcome addition and only enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the story as a whole. So what began as a quite slow read morphed into a fabulous story that was entertaining, informative, emotional and also detailed the bonds of friendship and showed how the integral work undertaken will never be forgotten. The Bletchley Girls is definitely a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction.
Three very different young women arrive at Bletchley Park as raw recruits but they each have one common goal to help with the intelligence work which will hopefully aid those on the front and ultimately bring about the downfall of Hitler. They sign the official secrets act promising never to talk to anyone of the work they engage in. It’s 1940 and Steffie arrives having had to flee Rome at the outbreak of war. Her father had been the military attaché at the British embassy and his contacts had secured her this job. But as the story progresses Steffie proves she is not just some top dogs daughter rather in fact she proves she has what it takes to see connections where others don’t. She can take in the whole picture and time and time again as she eventually travels to foreign shores she demonstrates that she is worthy of her position. She has left her fiancée Matteo behind in Italy and rather than preparing for a wedding she finds herself thrust into a male dominated world where she hopes to show that women can play a vital role and should be valued and listened to.
Alisa really is a fish out of water. She has gone against her parents wishes and left the isolated Scottish island of North Uist. Her parents wanted her to marry and have children and more or less never stray from the island. She was shy and nervous and a bit stand offish at first but I think that’s because she was nervous and had taken such a brave leap into the unknown. She had a talent when it came to detecting radio frequencies and recording messages and this grew the more I read about her. She was really just a young girl who wanted some adventure and to see the world. Alisa had such strength to go against what her parents wanted for her. I think she was perhaps out of the three women the one who changed the most and through her work and dedication underwent such a transformation. Her journey takes her away from British soil and she was right in the path of danger but her resilience, her sharpness and her willingness to put herself on the line time and time again deserved nothing but admiration.
Fran was a character I loved. In fact I loved all three but perhaps Fran was the one who edged out for me ahead of the other two just a little bit. All credit to her for not following the route of entering medicine as her parents had and wished for her to do also. She wished to study literature at university and had taken up a job in the university library. This is how she came to work in the park as her fellow librarian Peter was one of the men chosen to operate in the huts that were within the park. So many little units working together to play their part and the camaraderie that was built up was amazing. I loved the intrigue and mystery that developed as the story took a surprising turn and Fran as she was so brilliant at organising everything ramped up her efforts to crack the clues and join the dots. There was a real sense of academia about her which stood her in good stead. No doubt about it the women each had a difficult, challenging and taxing job but they also had the intelligence and wherewithal to keep going in the face of stiff opposition.
I had never previously read a book that centred on the top secret intelligence work that occurred at Bletchley Park and I think that’s also why I became so engrossed and enthralled the more the plot was developed. After reading so many books in the World War Two genre at times you can became tired of the same old story rehashed in the same way with yet again a predictable ending but here because the subject matter for me was so fresh, vivid and gripping I felt like I was reading about the war from a totally different perspective and thanks to the detailed research by the author I was fascinated and intrigued by everything going on. There could have been a danger that at some points this story could have slipped into becoming more like a textbook as specifics regarding decoding and radio operators etc were detailed but thankfully that never became the case. Every little detail provided brought so much to the story and therefore this became a very compelling read.
I have read so much of people fighting at the front, of resistance groups and of course the camps but now I have developed a deep appreciation for the relentless work that was carried out by so many men and women whose brains and ingenuity helped win the war. These brave, courageous women that featured here were hardworking and filled with such integrity and loyalty to their cause and each individual brought their talents and skills to the team. I would have loved an epilogue to really wrap things up. I know there was an ending of sorts for the characters but I still felt there was a bit more to be told as the war had not concluded by the time the book finished. But I suppose that’s me being greedy and wanting more and it’s also the sign of a very good book. The detailed notes at the end provided by the author were a welcome addition and only enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the story as a whole. So what began as a quite slow read morphed into a fabulous story that was entertaining, informative, emotional and also detailed the bonds of friendship and showed how the integral work undertaken will never be forgotten. The Bletchley Girls is definitely a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction.
followingcharlie's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic read… I loved the three characters and their intertwined stories. Each character was lovely in their own unique way, with their different backgrounds but the major plus of this book for me was the way it was written to show the spirit of the women involved in the Second World War, what they were driven to do but then, and more importantly their aptitude, resilience, perseverance, determination and commitment. I can hardly wait to read the follow up book which comes out later this month but in the meantime I will be researching other books by Anna Stuart and her pseudonym written books!
hanelizadeee's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
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
thepagelady's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting story told from three different points of view: Stefania, Ailsa and Fran. The story moves smoothly between the three women. The characters are wonderful strong female characters. And my favorite part was seeing the bond and friendship develops between them. This was a hard book to put down once I got started. It was easy to picture and feel what the women were going through and that just added to the experience. It's a great story about some amazing women! Thank you Bookouture
trudyd's review
4.0
The Bletchley Girls was a wonderful way to learn a more about WW2. The story revolves around three ladies, with unique backgrounds, coming to BP (Bletchley Park) at the same time. The author allowed me to gain a better perspective of how women, who had never been away from home, learned to get along and work together.
They all wanted to do their part in the war against the Nazis. Each of the girls had a different job that couldn't talk about, even to each other. They were all connected, and yet separated by the Official Secrets Act.
Steffie had lived in Italy for eight years making her language skills of German and Italian an asset to the SOE. She thought she would be translating, but the men put her on a typewriter. She would soon show her worth.
Fran had worked at Cambridge and was known as a great organizer. Her talents were soon put to good use doing "general organizations work." She created an efficient index from their disastrous attempt at organization to keep track of all the information gained from messages.
Ailsa was a radio operator, that was actually given a job offer over the airwaves while working the radio on a small Scottish island. She left her little island without the support of her family in search of great adventure.
The girls were all put up in different homes surrounding BP. I was shocked by the author's descriptions of their bed stays that I had to research and talk to my mom. I can't believe how rough some of the ladies had it while residents pocketed government money. The story became even more endearing as the girls roomed together in a caravan on a farm. As a reader, I became more invested in the girls and what happened thanks to the stories they shared.
The story becomes a story of thrills and adventure when Steffie and Ailsa take on overseas appointments. Steffie gives the readers a glimpse into the lives of those serving in Egypt and those using it to their advantage. Cairo and other places in Egypt were a breeding ground for spies, parties and secrets.
Ailsa uses her wonderful radio skills on the island of Malta to search out the broadcasts of the Germans and Italians. She is a major asset to the war effort as she risks her life as Malta is attacked by fighters and bombers.
The author's story is not an easy read. I have never found evil to be light reading. But the story is insightful. It had me thinking. It had me wanting to know more, to research. I can't ask for more from a Historical fiction. The Bletchley Girls gave me more. Romance added a balance to the story.
I cheered on the successes of the Bletchley girls in war and romance. I was thrilled as the allies gained land over the Nazis. I became frustrated as knowledge grew of a spy's existence and the damage he was doing.
They all wanted to do their part in the war against the Nazis. Each of the girls had a different job that couldn't talk about, even to each other. They were all connected, and yet separated by the Official Secrets Act.
Steffie had lived in Italy for eight years making her language skills of German and Italian an asset to the SOE. She thought she would be translating, but the men put her on a typewriter. She would soon show her worth.
Fran had worked at Cambridge and was known as a great organizer. Her talents were soon put to good use doing "general organizations work." She created an efficient index from their disastrous attempt at organization to keep track of all the information gained from messages.
Ailsa was a radio operator, that was actually given a job offer over the airwaves while working the radio on a small Scottish island. She left her little island without the support of her family in search of great adventure.
The girls were all put up in different homes surrounding BP. I was shocked by the author's descriptions of their bed stays that I had to research and talk to my mom. I can't believe how rough some of the ladies had it while residents pocketed government money. The story became even more endearing as the girls roomed together in a caravan on a farm. As a reader, I became more invested in the girls and what happened thanks to the stories they shared.
The story becomes a story of thrills and adventure when Steffie and Ailsa take on overseas appointments. Steffie gives the readers a glimpse into the lives of those serving in Egypt and those using it to their advantage. Cairo and other places in Egypt were a breeding ground for spies, parties and secrets.
Ailsa uses her wonderful radio skills on the island of Malta to search out the broadcasts of the Germans and Italians. She is a major asset to the war effort as she risks her life as Malta is attacked by fighters and bombers.
The author's story is not an easy read. I have never found evil to be light reading. But the story is insightful. It had me thinking. It had me wanting to know more, to research. I can't ask for more from a Historical fiction. The Bletchley Girls gave me more. Romance added a balance to the story.
I cheered on the successes of the Bletchley girls in war and romance. I was thrilled as the allies gained land over the Nazis. I became frustrated as knowledge grew of a spy's existence and the damage he was doing.
nannykaren's review
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed Anna's latest historical novel, The Bletchley Girls which was inspired by her visit to Bletchley Park. Codebreaking really helped us win WWII; This novel tells the story of 3 women, chosen for their skills to go to Bletchley to work for the Secret Service. Steffi, Fran and Ailsa are dumbstruck to think that they could be part of such an organisation but things change when Steffi is posted to Cairo and Ailsa sent to Malta to help with the coding there. I found the descriptions of the code breaking fascinating and have inspired me to visit Bletchley myself! Great read