I find it difficult to decide whether I actually liked this book. It’s certainly an achievement and I do like fiction set in postwar Britain. However, I found the novel somehow unsatisfying.
The plot is in the form of flashbacks as an elderly woman is dying. Juliet Armstrong is recruited to MI5 for the Second World War at the age of eighteen. Her main task is to transcribe the conversations of Nazi sympathisers but she is involved in some horrible deed, which then resurfaces in the fifties, while she’s working for the BBC’s Schools broadcasting service. I found the first half of the book very readable and interesting. Much of it is set during the war and partly focuses on Juliet’s relationship with Perry, her supervisor. However, the aftermath didn’t appeal to me as much. I missed Perry and would have preferred him to be there throughout the story. I was also a little confused by the number of characters, especially when they returned after being out of the story for several chapters and I couldn’t remember who they were.
I liked the authentic tone of the novel, particularly the dialogue and Juliet’s thoughts. What Juliet has gone through is shown in her character development, from the fun and cynically romantic teenager of the forties to the hardened and secretive woman of the fifties. I didn’t like her much though. I’m not sure if I was supposed to.
There’s been a lot of buzz about this book since it was published last year. Maybe I’m missing something. I’m certainly glad that I’ve read it, and there were several aspects that I admired. When I was nearing the end of the story, I put the book down and left it for three days. This suggests that the plot at this point wasn’t compelling enough, because I wasn’t eager to know the ending.
Thanks very much to Bookish Chat for passing on a copy of the book to me.
I’m not a fan of Kate Atkinson. I read one of her earlier much hyped books (A God in Ruins maybe?) and was very disappointed. I hate it when you can remember who is who in a novel!
I doubt I will read any more Kate Atkinson when there are so many other authors to discover.
I wasn’t disappointed in this book, there were some good aspects to it.
Love your review! This had been in my radar ever since its publication (blaming the cover for it lol) and nope don’t think I’ll be reading it. Like you said, too many other authors to discover. I’m still waiting for a book hy NS! ?
Thanks Jee – you might really like it, many other readers did. The cover is good isn’t it? My own book is coming along slowly but yes you will be able to read it some day 🙂
Yesssss!! Pls sign it for me too!! ?❤️
Of course, Jee, you will get a signed copy 😀
Woot woot!! Thank you in advance!! ❤️?
This book has definitely been making the rounds lately and I’ve been wondering if I should read it or not. I guess the plot is a little weak which is a shame, her books are usually quite good.
I would say read it, there are many things to admire about it. Although to me the plot was weak, I don’t know if there was something I was not ‘getting’ about the book, as it has had such praise.
Does it sound terrible that I’ve not heard of this book until today??? I’m not sure if I’d read it but I have to say I just love the book’s cover image and colours?
It’s a great cover isn’t it?! Some books I admit have better covers than content…