A Fantastic Historical Fiction Novel: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Synopsis

1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything—beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses—but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious self-made Mab, product of East-End London poverty, works the legendary code-breaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Both Osla and Mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts. But war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart.

1947. As the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip whips post-war Britain into a fever, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter—the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship and left one of them confined to an asylum. A mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their Bletchley Park past, and now Osla, Mab, and Beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one last code together. But each petal they remove from the rose code brings danger—and their true enemy—closer…

My Review

I have been struggling with historical fiction in the last few months. It’s my favorite genre, but for a while there I felt like I’ve been reading the same book over and over again.

I’m so happy the Goodreads Choice Awards brought The Rose Code back to my attention. It was on my list of books to read in 2021, but I kept putting it off (see above). I finally read it this month (via the audiobook) and was pleasantly surprised.

I loved the characters (for the most part). They contribute toward the war effort by cracking codes and translating messages, their work being top secret. Mad respect for them not breaking their oaths even when it involves people near and dear to their hearts. Their dedication has me filled with awe anew, even though I’ve read many World War II stories with heroic characters.

Love the literary society idea, founded so they socialize with like-minded people, people who’ve sworn the same oath. The remarks about dressing (especially the importance of hats!), sticking together even when times get hard, coming to appreciate their work even though it was very unclear initially.

I especially loved the plot twist.

A story about friendship, love, betrayal, war, all centered around the countdown to a royal wedding. There’s frequent back and forth in time but I found I didn’t mind that at all.

The audiobook was very good indeed.

Loved the author’s note and learning about what inspired this story, usually I skip that part in books, but glad I didn’t so this time around, it was most informative.

I’m looking forward to reading more of Quinn’s books. I think I’ll read The Alice Network very soon indeed.

Buy The Rose Code: A Novel

Have you read this book, what are your thoughts?