Status
Available
Publication
Harper Collins Canada (2017), 560 pages
Description
"It's 1947 and American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a fervent belief that her beloved French cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive somewhere. So when Charlie's family banishes her to Europe to have her "little problem" take care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister. In 1915, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance to serve when she's recruited to work as a spy for the English. Sent into enemy-occupied France during The Great War, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents, right under the enemy's nose. Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launching them both on a mission to find the truth ...no matter where it leads"--… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Gwendydd
There's nothing spectacular about this book. It was fine, I didn't hate it, I finished it, but I didn't really get anything out of it. It tells the story of a young woman who is on her way to Switzerland to get an abortion after World War II, and she tries to track down a friend of hers who was
I suppose that if I hadn't already read a bunch of historical fiction from this time period, I might have found this more interesting, but I didn't think there was anything terribly interesting here.
Slightly spoilery content warning: [spoiler]
In the older woman's backstory, there are extensive descriptions of her sexual relationship with a collaborator she is spying on. The relationship is consensual, in that she is in the relationship of her own choice, but only because she is spying on him: she finds him disgusting, and he is cruel and manipulative. If you find yourself bothered by creepy sexual relationships, you should avoid this book.
[/spoiler]
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last heard from in France during the war. On her search, she runs into an older woman who was a spy in World War I. The older woman is a curmudgeon, so naturally by the end she softens up and the two women become friends. I suppose that if I hadn't already read a bunch of historical fiction from this time period, I might have found this more interesting, but I didn't think there was anything terribly interesting here.
Slightly spoilery content warning: [spoiler]
In the older woman's backstory, there are extensive descriptions of her sexual relationship with a collaborator she is spying on. The relationship is consensual, in that she is in the relationship of her own choice, but only because she is spying on him: she finds him disgusting, and he is cruel and manipulative. If you find yourself bothered by creepy sexual relationships, you should avoid this book.
[/spoiler]
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
In the last several years women from many different walks of life and ethnicities, and their integral contributions to the arts and science are being uncovered, recognized and brought to mainstream attention in books and movies. The Alice network, operating in France, is another such contribution,
I enjoyed the characters in this, became engrossed in their stories, such good characterizations; from the naive Charley, who shows tremendous growth during the course of this novel, to the irracible and hard drinking Eve, on to the delicious Finn, the Scottsman with a delicious bu'ur, well all I can say about him is be still my heart. Eve's story takes us back to the first world war, when she was part of the Network and her horrific experiences at the hand of a profiteer. Charley's story takes place in 1947, when she is looking for her cousin Rose who went missing in France. Fantastic, though tense filled stories, what these women risked with so little reward nor recognition.
The authors afterward clearly defines what who and what events were actual people or happenings. I think you will be surprised at just how much of this was based on fact. I was and so much of which I had never heard. The ending was a bit over the top, but if ever a book deserved a somewhat schmaltzy ending, it is this one.
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taking place during the first world war and was a spy network consisting of women. Women who put themselves in grave danger to collect information that the allies could use to defeat Germany.I enjoyed the characters in this, became engrossed in their stories, such good characterizations; from the naive Charley, who shows tremendous growth during the course of this novel, to the irracible and hard drinking Eve, on to the delicious Finn, the Scottsman with a delicious bu'ur, well all I can say about him is be still my heart. Eve's story takes us back to the first world war, when she was part of the Network and her horrific experiences at the hand of a profiteer. Charley's story takes place in 1947, when she is looking for her cousin Rose who went missing in France. Fantastic, though tense filled stories, what these women risked with so little reward nor recognition.
The authors afterward clearly defines what who and what events were actual people or happenings. I think you will be surprised at just how much of this was based on fact. I was and so much of which I had never heard. The ending was a bit over the top, but if ever a book deserved a somewhat schmaltzy ending, it is this one.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
This book had two parallel stories; one set during WWI and the other at the end of the Second World War. Personally, I found Eve's story far more fascinating as she risked her life spying for British Intelligence as they tried to destroy the Kaiser. Eve was courageous, intelligent and spunky.
However, despite an interesting storyline, I found that the book dragged at times, especially when I was following Charlie's story. Overall, an okay historical novel, but not one of the better ones I've read.
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Charlie St Clair, on the other hand, was a naive, pregnant girl looking for her beloved cousin. Her story wasn't as interesting but, thankfully, an older Eve, played an important role in it and Charlie's emotional growth was obvious throughout the story.However, despite an interesting storyline, I found that the book dragged at times, especially when I was following Charlie's story. Overall, an okay historical novel, but not one of the better ones I've read.
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LibraryThing member mcelhra
In 1947, Charlie St. Clair is pregnant and unwed. Her well-to-do mother takes her to Europe to take care of her Little Problem. Charlie uses the opportunity to escape her mother and search for her cousin Rose, who went missing in France during WWII. She finds and convinces Eve Gardiner to help her.
I enjoyed The Alice Network, especially Eve’s story during WWI. I wasn’t that interested in Charlie’s story. A couple of turns in the plot were just a little too convenient and didn’t make much sense, which bothered me a bit. There’s also a torture scene that had me majorly cringing so beware if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing. I appreciated that the author did her research in writing about the spy network. At least one of the characters is an accurate portrayal of a real person. Recommended.
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Eve was one of several female spies known as The Alice Network during WWI. The book alternates between Eve and Charlie’s journey to find Rose and Eve’s experience as a spy in WWI.I enjoyed The Alice Network, especially Eve’s story during WWI. I wasn’t that interested in Charlie’s story. A couple of turns in the plot were just a little too convenient and didn’t make much sense, which bothered me a bit. There’s also a torture scene that had me majorly cringing so beware if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing. I appreciated that the author did her research in writing about the spy network. At least one of the characters is an accurate portrayal of a real person. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
This story is framed by the two world wars. The main character in the first war is Eve, recruited to spy on the Germans. Charlie is the main character in the second time frame, looking for her cousin who was involved with the French resistance and is presumed dead. Charlie seeks out Eve, her link
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to finding her cousin, and thus begins the vacillating bulk of the novel. While the premise of the novel is intriguing and based on real people and real events, it somehow misses the mark of telling a really compelling story. The back and forth nature of the chapters gets tedious, and much of what could have been suspenseful is dashed because of what is revealed about Eve early in the book. Perhaps the book is just too long; some of chapters seem more like filler that does not advance the story. However, the last third of book is quite good - exciting and gripping where things actually happen - but it takes too long to get there. The story might have flowed if Eve’s story had been told as a long flashback after she met Charlie, and then the author could have finished with Charlie’s storyline when the stories converged. The characters were were interesting, and though flawed, showed development as the story progressed. The novel, too, is flawed, though it improved towards the end. I’m just not sure the ending was worth the journey. Show Less
LibraryThing member lbswiener
The Alice Network is a difficult book to plow through. The characters are not likeable. The story goes back and forth between WWII and a few years afterward. Even though there is a beginning, middle and an end one kept thinking end already. Because the characters are not likeable, the difficulty of
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the story, not knowing what kind of genre this book is supposed to be; only three stars were given in this review. This book is not recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daffydownd1lly
Loved this story from the first paragraph to the last. It revolves around three characters who become unlikely friends and allies in seeking out and quenching their nightmares from their individual experiences in the world wars, of which one character's started in WWI and the other two in WWII.
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Kate Quinn interweaves the characters and their stories seamlessly. And as with most stories on WWII I pick up, it shows yet another angle of how people were affected and took charge, in an effort to help their fellow allies. Show Less
LibraryThing member MissBec
This was a good book. It was based on a true story about the Alice Network. It kept my interest and I had a hard time putting it down. Really enjoyed it
LibraryThing member MomMom46
The book follows Eve Gardiner who is recruited as a spy in The Alice Network as she is sent into enemy occupied France during World War 1.She works at a restaurant run by a collaborator and profiteer,gathering as much information as she can from his German military patrons.Then 30 years later
A beautiful and well researched book showing the legacies of women in past wars.The story felt very real and was actually taken from the history of the real Alice Network and some of its women. Unfortunately,the massacre at Oradour-Sur-Glane is only too real.The entire population of the town's men,women and children were killed by the Germans on June 4,1944. The village remains as an empty memorial to their lives.
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during the aftermath of World War 2,American college student Charlie seeks out Eve while searching for information about her missing French cousin Rose. The same collaborator,Rene, is a link to finding out Rose's fate.A beautiful and well researched book showing the legacies of women in past wars.The story felt very real and was actually taken from the history of the real Alice Network and some of its women. Unfortunately,the massacre at Oradour-Sur-Glane is only too real.The entire population of the town's men,women and children were killed by the Germans on June 4,1944. The village remains as an empty memorial to their lives.
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LibraryThing member milibrarian
In 1947 Charlie St. Clair finds herself unmarried, pregnant, and searching for her cousin who has not been heard from in 3 years. The search for her cousin Rose leads to a woman named Eve who served as a British spy in France during the first world war. As Charlie, Eve, and their driver Flinn
This is a well-told story of the effects of two world wars. The story easily alternates between 1915 and 1947. It is also a fascinating look at the unglamourous side of women's roles in intelligence gathering. There are, however, some graphic sexual and violent scenes which may bother some readers.
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travel through France looking for Rose, we also learn more about Eve's earlier life as a spy. Charlie's search leads to a man who was Eve's informer, as well as abuser, a profiteer in both wars. Their desire for revenge as well their search lead to an unusual friendship.This is a well-told story of the effects of two world wars. The story easily alternates between 1915 and 1947. It is also a fascinating look at the unglamourous side of women's roles in intelligence gathering. There are, however, some graphic sexual and violent scenes which may bother some readers.
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LibraryThing member thebooklover2
Usually books set in the era of World War II do not appeal to me, but I have to say that I loved Kate Quinn's "The Alice Network." Quinn brought the era to life in a way that others authors have not, and her background knowledge and research were apparent in her writing.
Quinn's novel is an exciting
Quinn's novel is an exciting
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mystery about the disappearance of a girl named Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France. After the war, her cousin Charlie St. Clair, an American with a few problems of her own, goes to Europe and decides to search for her beloved cousin. This book is exciting, with characters you grow to love as if they were your own beloved cousins. A wonderful read and highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member written
I thought this was an amazing story.
I've read a lot of books dealing with WWI and WWII but not really a telling in such depths as this book is in dealing with the spies and spy networks.
The sacrifices these men and in this book the women who put their lives on the line everyday to outwit the
I felt the tension,the fear,the tears and the exhilaration with the passing on of vital information. This book ties the story of Eve and Charlie and pulls you right into the story as well. Or it did for me.
Great writing and a terrific book.
I've read a lot of books dealing with WWI and WWII but not really a telling in such depths as this book is in dealing with the spies and spy networks.
The sacrifices these men and in this book the women who put their lives on the line everyday to outwit the
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enemy. Really scary stuff.I felt the tension,the fear,the tears and the exhilaration with the passing on of vital information. This book ties the story of Eve and Charlie and pulls you right into the story as well. Or it did for me.
Great writing and a terrific book.
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LibraryThing member gmathis
Evelyn Gardiner is a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking battle axe; Charlie St. Clair is a pampered and willful teenager with a Little Problem. Their skillfully-told story flings them all over France and bounces back and forth between Charlie's present (1947) and Eve's past (1915-18); and by its
I like my novels cozy and clean. I have a low tolerance for profanity (sprinkled saltily throughout) and sexual content (more than I cared to encounter); however, the plot tension was woven so tightly and so well, if you read with one eye shut and persevere, this is a nearly unputdownable read.
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conclusion, I concluded that neither of them were so terrible, after all. War does hard things to people.I like my novels cozy and clean. I have a low tolerance for profanity (sprinkled saltily throughout) and sexual content (more than I cared to encounter); however, the plot tension was woven so tightly and so well, if you read with one eye shut and persevere, this is a nearly unputdownable read.
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LibraryThing member mnm123
I recieved this book in exchange for a review. I loved this story. I have always been a fan of historical fiction, and I am now a fan of Kate Quinn. I was so drawn into the story I had trouble putting the book down. I started to google some of the dates and facts. I cried when they cried and
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laughed when they laughed. I believe it takes a great writer to pull someone so far into a story that they feel real emotions while reading. I will be on the lookout for more Kate Quinn books in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member FremdeB
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn is historical fiction at its finest. Combining history, suspense, romance, and intrigue, this new novel draws you into the world of women spies in wartime. Love, loyalty, murder, and revenge move throughout this account based on true events and the real people who
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lived them. Women are the heroes of this story and you will admire them all by the time you finish reading. The author has researched this time period thoroughly and has written a very effective tale. I look forward to reading more of her books. Show Less
LibraryThing member cjordan916
WWI female spies
LibraryThing member MEENIEREADS
May be a wee bit of a spoiler...........................
A tale of two decades and two wars entwined make up this lengthy novel.
World War 1 and many sides of that conflict are virtually unknown to most of us boomers,Gen Xers,millennials, and even the greatest generation.
So it is true that I had no
This is the tale if one such spy from that 1914-1918 conflict who was a lady spy. Part of an all female network.
The other tale in the book that unites two war stories is that of infant terrible, 19 year old unwed mom, former college girl Charlotte St. Clair in 1947.
She grew up sharing summers with her French cousin, Rose. Rose disappeared off the radar during the latter years of the Second World War.
Charlotte thinks she may be alive and goes on a search for Rose Her sketchy research brings up the name of Eve Gardiner who happens to have been in a spy network of lady spies. This Eve has a driver, handy man, hunky Finn Kilgore.
One man from Eve's past was a traitor who profited during both wars and is connected to Charlotte's cousin Rose. The horrible Rene.
Lots of "daring do" as these 2 characters unite to find the bad guy, Rene catalyst in all this.
While this was well written I think a bit more editing could have been done to wrap up the whole story. As with so many works of fiction I grew weary and could not wait for the ending.
I am a real fan if World War Two fiction and non fiction. So before I read the real life historical facts in the back of the book I wondered why the Eve character was not utilized during WW 2 given her language skills and obvious knowledge of spy skills. It seems to me that she would have been very much an asset behind the scenes at the SOE. It could have temporarily gotten her away from her self destructive tendencies. The entire time I was reading the book I was surprised this was not where the book headed. This was a free,Early Reviewer book for me!
A tale of two decades and two wars entwined make up this lengthy novel.
World War 1 and many sides of that conflict are virtually unknown to most of us boomers,Gen Xers,millennials, and even the greatest generation.
So it is true that I had no
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idea that there was a spy network of mostly woman that operated during WW 1.This is the tale if one such spy from that 1914-1918 conflict who was a lady spy. Part of an all female network.
The other tale in the book that unites two war stories is that of infant terrible, 19 year old unwed mom, former college girl Charlotte St. Clair in 1947.
She grew up sharing summers with her French cousin, Rose. Rose disappeared off the radar during the latter years of the Second World War.
Charlotte thinks she may be alive and goes on a search for Rose Her sketchy research brings up the name of Eve Gardiner who happens to have been in a spy network of lady spies. This Eve has a driver, handy man, hunky Finn Kilgore.
One man from Eve's past was a traitor who profited during both wars and is connected to Charlotte's cousin Rose. The horrible Rene.
Lots of "daring do" as these 2 characters unite to find the bad guy, Rene catalyst in all this.
While this was well written I think a bit more editing could have been done to wrap up the whole story. As with so many works of fiction I grew weary and could not wait for the ending.
I am a real fan if World War Two fiction and non fiction. So before I read the real life historical facts in the back of the book I wondered why the Eve character was not utilized during WW 2 given her language skills and obvious knowledge of spy skills. It seems to me that she would have been very much an asset behind the scenes at the SOE. It could have temporarily gotten her away from her self destructive tendencies. The entire time I was reading the book I was surprised this was not where the book headed. This was a free,Early Reviewer book for me!
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LibraryThing member debkrenzer
Wow, just realized as I'm going to write this review that this book was 516 pages. I knew it was lengthy (good $$ value, if it's good!), but it does not seem like I actually read that many pages. Even better - I was mesmerized.
I was so into this book. These women were phenomenal in how and what
The characters - Eve cracked me up. She did not take any crap from anyone while on the road with Charlie and Finn. She was on a mission and she was going to make it happen. A crusty character who can really talk anyone into doing anything.
I know this is a good book. Over Memorial Day weekend I had several people ask me what good book I've read lately and . . . this one took the prize. It is a story that has and will remained with me and the fact that it is based on a true story only makes it that much better!
Thanks to William Morrow and Edelweiss for their approvals so that I could read the e-galley and provide this honest, unbiased review.
I was so into this book. These women were phenomenal in how and what
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they did. And, the author did a great job depicting every scene. I really felt like I was there. My hands would sweat right along with the characters, hoping upon hope that they did not get caught. The characters - Eve cracked me up. She did not take any crap from anyone while on the road with Charlie and Finn. She was on a mission and she was going to make it happen. A crusty character who can really talk anyone into doing anything.
I know this is a good book. Over Memorial Day weekend I had several people ask me what good book I've read lately and . . . this one took the prize. It is a story that has and will remained with me and the fact that it is based on a true story only makes it that much better!
Thanks to William Morrow and Edelweiss for their approvals so that I could read the e-galley and provide this honest, unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member Gwnfkt12
This book was perfection from beginning to end. Charlie St. Clair is looking for her cousin Rose who disappeared during WWII. Her only clue is the name of Eve Gardiner, a mysterious individual who, it turns out, was a spy during WWI and whose story is told in the chapter's opposite Charlie's. I
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loved the back and forth between WWI and the aftermath of WWII, in otherwords, the stories of Eve and Charlie. I loved Finn, Eve's man of all work, as he proved to be the tie between Charlie and Eve, as neither of them saw eye-to-eye until they realized just how similar their lives really were. It's hard to do a review of this book without giving away all the juicy details of the plot, as it turns out to be a mysterious and suspenseful story. But I would recommend this book to everyone. Just be prepared to be left shocked and awed. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
Kate Quinn stands as a personal favorite of mine; I know that anything she writes will be visceral in its setting/story and her characters will be as real as I. When I learned she was departing the worlds I knew her from, ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy, to explore the dramatic setting of World
World War II spy thrillers are almost a dime a dozen nowadays. Everywhere you look, someone has their own take or spin on the familiar tales, especially when you talk about spy thrillers in Nazi France. Yet, WWI is a whole new world when it comes to espionage stories. Then Quinn explores one of the most successful spy rings from that era, ran by women no less, and you've got a suspenseful narrative to hold you on your seat’s edge.
Quinn applies her skill at world building to this era just as well as her previous historical escapades. The harsh reality of German occupied north east France during the First World War comes to stark life as she portrays a population who will do anything to survive, snakes who profit from such an environment, and a German occupation force who revel in their control. The odds these women faced, fighting for their country in their own way, were truly staggering. On top of the already inherent dangers, these women also faced draconian prejudice and views on their role in war and their reputations. The bravery shown by these gals in the face of all that truly inspires. Sad to say, not every member of this ring had a happy ending, either, so the odds got some folks.
On top of utilizing some excellent historical details and scene settings skills, Quinn continues to create excellent, realistic characters through which to tell her story. Every single one stands out as a real individual, even the secondary background folks. It's our leads, though, that really shine. Each is damaged by war in their own way, all experiencing grief and some elements of PTSD. From the severe case of Evelyn who faced the true horrors of war and mankind's evilest behavior to Charlie's obsessive grief over her cousin's disappearance, each tale takes the audience on an emotional journey unlike any other. Not many authors can achieve as much success with their characterizations as they do with their world building, but Quinn is one of them. Truly a master!
Then on top of everything, Quinn weaves an intricate plot line that ties everything together in a truly suspenseful climax. Hidden connections as both world wars unfold surprised me left and right. I loved how the author tied in her character’s emotional journey with the story as well. Healing from past trauma and facing your demons played a huge part in the story overall. As our characters traverse over France looking for their missing pasts, the reader can't help but be transported in this journey of growth and overcoming the odds.
One can never fail when reading a Kate Quinn book. She has it all: great characters, a spellbinding story, and a setting and world you can sink into. Not once was I bored and looking for the motivation to continue on this epic story. I can't recommend this book highly enough; safe to say that if Kate Quinn wrote it, it's got to be good!!
Note: Book received for free via LibraryThing giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
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War I and II, I was all on board from day one. She doesn't fail to deliver, either.World War II spy thrillers are almost a dime a dozen nowadays. Everywhere you look, someone has their own take or spin on the familiar tales, especially when you talk about spy thrillers in Nazi France. Yet, WWI is a whole new world when it comes to espionage stories. Then Quinn explores one of the most successful spy rings from that era, ran by women no less, and you've got a suspenseful narrative to hold you on your seat’s edge.
Quinn applies her skill at world building to this era just as well as her previous historical escapades. The harsh reality of German occupied north east France during the First World War comes to stark life as she portrays a population who will do anything to survive, snakes who profit from such an environment, and a German occupation force who revel in their control. The odds these women faced, fighting for their country in their own way, were truly staggering. On top of the already inherent dangers, these women also faced draconian prejudice and views on their role in war and their reputations. The bravery shown by these gals in the face of all that truly inspires. Sad to say, not every member of this ring had a happy ending, either, so the odds got some folks.
On top of utilizing some excellent historical details and scene settings skills, Quinn continues to create excellent, realistic characters through which to tell her story. Every single one stands out as a real individual, even the secondary background folks. It's our leads, though, that really shine. Each is damaged by war in their own way, all experiencing grief and some elements of PTSD. From the severe case of Evelyn who faced the true horrors of war and mankind's evilest behavior to Charlie's obsessive grief over her cousin's disappearance, each tale takes the audience on an emotional journey unlike any other. Not many authors can achieve as much success with their characterizations as they do with their world building, but Quinn is one of them. Truly a master!
Then on top of everything, Quinn weaves an intricate plot line that ties everything together in a truly suspenseful climax. Hidden connections as both world wars unfold surprised me left and right. I loved how the author tied in her character’s emotional journey with the story as well. Healing from past trauma and facing your demons played a huge part in the story overall. As our characters traverse over France looking for their missing pasts, the reader can't help but be transported in this journey of growth and overcoming the odds.
One can never fail when reading a Kate Quinn book. She has it all: great characters, a spellbinding story, and a setting and world you can sink into. Not once was I bored and looking for the motivation to continue on this epic story. I can't recommend this book highly enough; safe to say that if Kate Quinn wrote it, it's got to be good!!
Note: Book received for free via LibraryThing giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
What a wonderful book. I loved it! The book is about two different women, separated in age by about 30 years, but both women have a common goal that throws them together. Eve Gardiner served in the Alice Network, which was nn actual spy group that operated in France during WWI. Charlie St. Clair is
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a young, pregnant unmarried American woman who comes to England in 1947 looking for her French cousin who was lost during WWII. Fate and a scrap of paper with Eve's name on it sends Charlie to seek out Eve. The book runs two parallel storylines - Eve's and Charle's and it moved back and forth seamlessly between the two timelines and the two wars. Eve's tragic story of her experiences in the Alice Network is revealed bit by bit in the story. When Charlie finds her in England, Eve is a drunk, foul-talking woman, living alone in a Londond house. But the common goal to find the man responsible for Eve's tragic story sends the two women on a quest to France. Back and forth we go as Eve, Charlie and Eve's man of general work - a young Scotsman named Finn, search for the devil that was Rene Bordelon. This story gripped me from start to finish! The real-life Alice Network was depicted so well by Ms. Quinn. Her fictional characters are mixed in seamlessly with the real-life characters of the network. I loved these two brave women, and I loved their story. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
This was an excellent novel. I found myself really getting hooked by this book more and more as I read. I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I read the summary. Historical fiction that focuses on female spies during World War I was just too interesting to pass up. It did take me a
This book is told in two different timelines. The first timeline is in 1947 just a few years after World War II and the second timeline takes place during World War I in 1915. So many times when a book is laid out in this manner, I find myself enjoying one timeline more than the other. That was not the case at all with this book. The shifts between the time periods flowed remarkably well. There was never a time where I wished the book would stay in either timeline a little longer. I was really very equally interested in both times and I thought that the way they worked together was flawless.
The characters in this book were amazing. Charlie is the first character that makes an appearance and she is the focus of the 1947 timeline. She is young but very smart and I thought she had a lot of spunk. Eve is really the star of this book. She is the character that brings the two timelines together. She is the focus of the 1915 time period and her character plays a very important role in 1947. I think that seeing the changes in her over time really added a lot to the story. I also really enjoyed Finn, Lili, and Violette. Everyone in this story plays an important role and each of the characters felt very realistic.
I loved that this book really made me feel for the characters. This story is set during two very rough periods of time historically. There were points in the story that I really felt the character's fear, uncertainty, and frustrations. Some parts of the book were heartbreaking and terrifying. I also liked that the book took a positive turn and ended with hope. There is even a bit of romance that really worked well for me.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. This story took a subject that I knew very little about and brought it to life. I am completely impressed by this book and will be checking out other novels written by Kate Quinn soon.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss.
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little bit to really get into the story but once I did there was no looking back. I am so glad that I decided to pick up this wonderful book.This book is told in two different timelines. The first timeline is in 1947 just a few years after World War II and the second timeline takes place during World War I in 1915. So many times when a book is laid out in this manner, I find myself enjoying one timeline more than the other. That was not the case at all with this book. The shifts between the time periods flowed remarkably well. There was never a time where I wished the book would stay in either timeline a little longer. I was really very equally interested in both times and I thought that the way they worked together was flawless.
The characters in this book were amazing. Charlie is the first character that makes an appearance and she is the focus of the 1947 timeline. She is young but very smart and I thought she had a lot of spunk. Eve is really the star of this book. She is the character that brings the two timelines together. She is the focus of the 1915 time period and her character plays a very important role in 1947. I think that seeing the changes in her over time really added a lot to the story. I also really enjoyed Finn, Lili, and Violette. Everyone in this story plays an important role and each of the characters felt very realistic.
I loved that this book really made me feel for the characters. This story is set during two very rough periods of time historically. There were points in the story that I really felt the character's fear, uncertainty, and frustrations. Some parts of the book were heartbreaking and terrifying. I also liked that the book took a positive turn and ended with hope. There is even a bit of romance that really worked well for me.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. This story took a subject that I knew very little about and brought it to life. I am completely impressed by this book and will be checking out other novels written by Kate Quinn soon.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member maryzee
Learned history I knew nothing about
LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
Well-written book that draws in the reader. I will post my full review soon!
LibraryThing member whitreidtan
Female spies. How many have you heard of? The only one I could have named before reading this book was Mata Hari. I'm not surprised that there are many more nor that they have been forgotten by history even though their contributions to war efforts have been remarkable. Kate Quinn's new novel, The
Charlotte St. Clair is in disgrace. A math major at Bennington, she has disappointed her wealthy family by coming home pregnant and unwed. To forestall gossip, Charlie and her mother sail to England on their way to Switzerland to take care of Charlie's "Little Problem." But Charlie wants to use this trip to find her French cousin Rose, who hasn't been heard from since 1944, three years ago now. Charlie has made some initial inquiries and so once in England, she slips away from her mother to follow the one lead she has, landing on Eve Gardiner's doorstep in London. Eve has no intention of helping the little Yank on her doorstep until Charlie utters a name that Eve hasn't heard since the end of World War I. Eve is a broken woman. Her hands are destroyed and she spends her nights completely pickled. She's brusque and angry and imperious. But if the man whose name Charlie invokes lived past WWI, Eve is willing to use Charlie's quest for her cousin for her own reasons. The two women, plus Eve's taciturn Scottish driver Finn, head to the Continent, in search of the past.
Alternating chapters tell the story of both Charlie and Eve and what drives them in their search. Charlie lost her soldier brother to suicide and blames herself for not being able to save him. She is determined not to fail again and to find and save Rose. She is frozen emotionally and it is only in her determination on this journey that she allows herself to feel anything. Eve is carefully guarding her own wartime wounds. Unlike Charlie though, Eve's war was the First World War, when young and innocent, Eve became Marguerite Le Francois, a valuable member of the Alice Network, a female spy ring in France reporting from German occupied Lille. Eve, as Marguerite, one of the fleurs du mal, gets a job as a waitress in Le Lethe, a restaurant run by a French profiteer and patronized by high ranking Germans. In serving the Germans, Eve hears valuable information she can pass on to Lili, the leader of the Alice Network. As Charlie, Eve, and Finn motor through France searching out Eve's contacts in order to track down Rose and Rene, Le Lethe's owner and the man connected to both Eve and Rose, Eve's story slowly comes out.
Both Charlie and Eve are damaged and they don't really want to have to rely on the other, or anyone really. Each carries enough guilt to break them but they are both also fighters. While Charlie's story is interesting and heartbreaking, it is Eve's story, the story of an Alice Network operative and what lengths she needed to go to to uncover information that is most engrossing. Because of the alternating time lines, the story is quite action filled and the revelations that occur on the journey are fascinating. The reader is as curious about Eve's life in occupied Lille and how her hands came to be so destroyed as Charlie is. The reader is also invested in finding Rose and seeing how Charlie and Finn's growing friendship develops. The drive to know the truth makes the pages turn fast indeed. Quinn has drawn both WWI France and post WWII France carefully and the historical details of life in both times is well done. The tension in both story lines is delicately balanced and heightens in concert as the novel progresses. Tying together both World War I and World War II makes this story that much more fascinating, as does the note in the back of the novel detailing true roots of Eve's story. Historical fiction fans will thoroughly enjoy this novel of spying, betrayal, love, and hope. That it brings to light the little remembered fact of the Alice Network, the danger women faced as they worked for their country, and their important contributions is wonderful indeed.
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Alice Network, brings a female run spy network back into view as it highlights the sacrifices that women made in wartime, the damage that war does, and the fierce loyalty so many women felt for family, friends, and country.Charlotte St. Clair is in disgrace. A math major at Bennington, she has disappointed her wealthy family by coming home pregnant and unwed. To forestall gossip, Charlie and her mother sail to England on their way to Switzerland to take care of Charlie's "Little Problem." But Charlie wants to use this trip to find her French cousin Rose, who hasn't been heard from since 1944, three years ago now. Charlie has made some initial inquiries and so once in England, she slips away from her mother to follow the one lead she has, landing on Eve Gardiner's doorstep in London. Eve has no intention of helping the little Yank on her doorstep until Charlie utters a name that Eve hasn't heard since the end of World War I. Eve is a broken woman. Her hands are destroyed and she spends her nights completely pickled. She's brusque and angry and imperious. But if the man whose name Charlie invokes lived past WWI, Eve is willing to use Charlie's quest for her cousin for her own reasons. The two women, plus Eve's taciturn Scottish driver Finn, head to the Continent, in search of the past.
Alternating chapters tell the story of both Charlie and Eve and what drives them in their search. Charlie lost her soldier brother to suicide and blames herself for not being able to save him. She is determined not to fail again and to find and save Rose. She is frozen emotionally and it is only in her determination on this journey that she allows herself to feel anything. Eve is carefully guarding her own wartime wounds. Unlike Charlie though, Eve's war was the First World War, when young and innocent, Eve became Marguerite Le Francois, a valuable member of the Alice Network, a female spy ring in France reporting from German occupied Lille. Eve, as Marguerite, one of the fleurs du mal, gets a job as a waitress in Le Lethe, a restaurant run by a French profiteer and patronized by high ranking Germans. In serving the Germans, Eve hears valuable information she can pass on to Lili, the leader of the Alice Network. As Charlie, Eve, and Finn motor through France searching out Eve's contacts in order to track down Rose and Rene, Le Lethe's owner and the man connected to both Eve and Rose, Eve's story slowly comes out.
Both Charlie and Eve are damaged and they don't really want to have to rely on the other, or anyone really. Each carries enough guilt to break them but they are both also fighters. While Charlie's story is interesting and heartbreaking, it is Eve's story, the story of an Alice Network operative and what lengths she needed to go to to uncover information that is most engrossing. Because of the alternating time lines, the story is quite action filled and the revelations that occur on the journey are fascinating. The reader is as curious about Eve's life in occupied Lille and how her hands came to be so destroyed as Charlie is. The reader is also invested in finding Rose and seeing how Charlie and Finn's growing friendship develops. The drive to know the truth makes the pages turn fast indeed. Quinn has drawn both WWI France and post WWII France carefully and the historical details of life in both times is well done. The tension in both story lines is delicately balanced and heightens in concert as the novel progresses. Tying together both World War I and World War II makes this story that much more fascinating, as does the note in the back of the novel detailing true roots of Eve's story. Historical fiction fans will thoroughly enjoy this novel of spying, betrayal, love, and hope. That it brings to light the little remembered fact of the Alice Network, the danger women faced as they worked for their country, and their important contributions is wonderful indeed.
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Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017-06-06
Physical description
8 inches
ISBN
0062654195 / 9780062654199