The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a World War 2 novel that follows the story of three women at the decoding centre of Bletchley Park in England. Osla Kendall, a Mayfair debutant who wants to be more than just a silly socialite. Mab Churt, a Shoreditch girl who wants to be a lady. Beth Finch, “Mother’s little helper” who wants to be her own woman. This unlikely trio will get completely wrapped up in the secrets of war, both before and after.
I was thoroughly enthralled by this book. Not great to read before bed because I didn’t want to put it down to go to sleep. The story jumps between during the war and a few years after the war. We meet each of the three girls separately and watch as they come together, and as the two timelines come together. It makes for a fascinating puzzle as the post-war years give hints of what is to come, and you try to put the pieces together. It’s also a very raw look at life during war. The anger and animosity. The love and loyalty. The scars and secrets that will be carried to the grave. It may be fiction and have a spectacular ending, but a lot of the story feels like it could’ve been someone’s real life and I love that in a book.
I would recommend The Rose Code to anyone who loves war stories, strong women and underdogs. These are the kinds of stories that you won’t read in history books but are so important and provide glimpses of the humans and the details of these events. It may be a work of fiction but it is based in a real time and place and was very thoroughly researched.
Happy Reading
~ Rosie
Rosie Reads 