Hello everyone!
Today, I have come here with a new book titled, “The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn is an incredible fiction that features an incredible friendship and the various obstacles faced by women in the 1940s. In this incredible story you will be observing a lot of emotions like forgiveness, remorse, regret, grief, ambition, secrecy, and much more. So, if you like reading historical fiction mysteries, you’ll surely love this book.
The author presents us with a thrilling tale about three women who worked as code-breakers at Bletchley Park outside of London during World War II. The story is full of aspirations, determination, courage, betrayal, and secrecy. As you read this gripping historical fiction, you will explore love, betrayal, grief, friendship, and the profound responsibility of keeping a thought-provoking and heartbreaking secret with a beautiful reminder about the sacrifices made by humankind and the strength of these enduring characters.
Kate Quinn shares this novel based on real-life women involved, however the story is a fiction. It follows three women who are recruited to work at Bletchley Park during World War II with a common purpose: joining the fight against the Nazis by breaking the German military codes. After being separated by a wartime secret, the women came together once again to discover the truth about their past.
I can’t give anything away, but as you read into the story, you see twists that surprise you are very much enjoyable to read. Let’s explore this interesting read for more details.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn | Book Review
About The Author | Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn, a native of Southern California, is a bestselling author of historical fiction and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Quinn was born in Long Beach, California. She earned a master’s degree in classical voice from Boston University and now lives in California with her husband and three black rescue dogs.
In addition to her four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, she has written two books set in the Italian Renaissance and three set in the 20th century, namely The Alice Network, The Huntress, and The Rose Code. Her books have been translated into multiple languages.
Book Overview | The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
A heart-stopping World War II story about three female code-breakers at Bletchley Park who must hunt down a spy after the war ends.
Length: 656 pages
Language: English
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, War Story, Fiction
Publisher: William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, published the Book in 2021.
Publication Date: 3rd March 2021
Setting: The Rose Code alternates between two time periods, starting with World War II in 1940 and the post-war period in 1947.
Point of view: From their separate points of view, the story is disclosed in two parallel timelines that merge at the end.
Major Themes: It explores the dynamics during World War II at Bletchley Park in England, includes thoughtful and negotiable themes like friendship, betrayal, loyalty, ambition, female solidarity, forgiveness, serenity, grief, and guilt over a decision made.
Main Character: The story is about three female code-breakers, Mabel “Mab” Churt, Osla Kendall, and Bethan Finch working at Bletchley Park during WWII in England. They not only formed an enduring friendship but also formed long-lasting bonds because they were all pledged to keep the action secret.
How did the research take place? Kate Quinn visited Bletchley Park in England and learned about the machines that were used to read dozens of books about code-breaking post-war for women using her extraordinary storytelling abilities.
Is the Rose Code based on a true story? Kate Quinn shared one of her experiences while writing the Rose code novel. Quinn explained that the novel was based on real-life women involved in Bletchley park; many of the characters were real people, but the story was fiction.
Book Summary| The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
In 1940, England prepares to fight against the Nazis. This wartime brings three different women to a mysterious country estate at Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain were trained to crack Nazi military codes.
Osla, who is beautiful, socialized, a quick thinker without family stability, falls in love with Prince Philip. She knows German, so she is asked to translate enemy secrets.
Mabel, the second lady, is a feisty girl from one of London’s poorest areas who desire to rebuild herself by getting an education, finding a husband, and working on code-breaking machines in Bletchley Park.
Lastly, we have Beth, who has zero self-esteem, is shy, has a very oppressive and abusive mother towards her, and believes that she is worthless, whereas she is brilliant and a star Cryptanalyst.
All three women serves their country together while making a life for themselves. However, like all other employees, the women live secret lives by hiding what they do at work and much of their everyday lives hidden from loved ones. Nevertheless, war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will separate the three, first through tragedy, then through treason.
In 1947, as the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Thrilling post-war Britain, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious letter whose key is buried in their long-ago betrayal that ended their friendship and put one in an asylum.
The mysterious traitor from their Bletchley Park past has emerged, and now Osla, Mab, and Beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one more code together. But as they remove the petals from the rose code, a greater danger looms, and their true enemy is closer than ever.
Will they be able to work together again and tackle this new trouble?
My thoughts about The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
In the description, it is described that three young women meets men and developed romantic relationships with that were pretty realistic to the point that there are conflicts and secrets they have to keep during their job. In addition, there was suspense and action at times which made for a delightful read.
For me, this story shows the unseen kind of heroes of the war.
Although this was always told from the male perspective and how the men fought in it, some women contributed to this war effort, which was quite interesting to learn about In this novel.
Throughout the story, you weave in and out of history and the present day. As the reader, you are exposed to what happened, what led to the falling out, how Beth ended up in this asylum, etc. No matter how you view it, it’s just very intriguing due to the inner weaving of the different storylines.
My Rating for the Book
Final Words
You will enjoy this Book if you are a fan of Historical Fiction, especially those who appreciate diving into WWII Historical Fiction. I find this book a worthwhile read for those who appreciate complex friendships, drama, and exciting characters in a well-written, thoughtful, compelling story.
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