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jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled to get into this book, which is a huge disappointment to me as I was very much looking forward to it. It was very slow, and I didn't connect to Juliet or any of the other main characters. I did find the focus on the mundanity of spycraft surprisingly interesting - it's not all fun and games, and I appreciate how Atkinson presents it.
floatwiththesticks's review against another edition
5.0
Man does Kate Atkinson know how to plot and pace a novel. She has the historical fiction genre on lock for me - this was my fourth book of hers and she now sits at the coveted table of “authors who always deliver.”
(One of my favourite things about her books is that you always feel like you’re in on the joke, until the narrator reveals their last card).
(One of my favourite things about her books is that you always feel like you’re in on the joke, until the narrator reveals their last card).
trin's review against another edition
3.0
I love Kate Atkinson, but I may be a little burnt out on English literary spy novels set during and after WWII: Sweet Tooth, Warlight, Restless -- and I know there are others -- all of which I've read just in the last few years. At her best, Atkinson can be very innovative, but she doesn't really bring anything new to this period. Her stylistic tics were unusually overbearing (so many parentheticals!) and I never quite warmed to Juliet as a protagonist: I admired her occasional ruthlessness, but was frequently annoyed at her naiveté. Atkinson has produced genuine shock and wrenching sobs from me; this merely kept me occupied for a nice hour in the bath.
charlotter191's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sumedhaj's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
szirbel's review against another edition
4.0
A slow burn but an interesting read on how women potentially impacted MI6’s operations during WWII.
katiegilley's review against another edition
4.0
It seems strange to describe this as a witty WWII novel, but there you have it. Juliet works for the MI5 during the war transcribing meetings of Nazi sympathizers. One day, something goes terribly wrong and it haunts her for the rest of her life.
Atkinson is a master at writing funny female characters. I laughed out loud several times, despite the strong messages Atkinson sent about the dangers of war and allowing hateful regimes to flourish in the world.
Atkinson is a master at writing funny female characters. I laughed out loud several times, despite the strong messages Atkinson sent about the dangers of war and allowing hateful regimes to flourish in the world.