Oh, how deeply I have fallen in love with this book! It didn’t take many pages before I knew that this would be one of my favorite books of all time. Although technically it’s a young adult novel, it’s incredible cleverness, sophistication, and willingness to tackle big issues makes it a wonderful read for adults as well.
The story of Code Name Verity is, initially, a written confession of a captured British wireless operator being held at the Gestapo HQ in France during World War II. Through the narrator’s writing, the reader becomes privy not only to her experience as a Nazi prisoner, but also of her past and the profound friendship between her and a British pilot, Maddie. This story weaves together such raw honesty and truth and emotion that it’s difficult to believe it’s fictional–it feels completely and utterly real. I can’t reveal too much more about the plot without giving everything away, but suffice it to say that this story is clever beyond belief, and will keep you hooked and guessing the whole time.
The prose is animated and natural, the characterization is grounded and engrossing, and the plot tackles profound issues with absolute grace. Seriously, I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s unassumingly feminist, presenting us with two female protagonists so enchanting and flawed and brave that it’s hard for me not to miss them now that I’ve turned the last page. In addition, the historical details were meticulously researched, as one can see by the bibliography included in the back of the book. There is a companion book to go with this one called Rose Under Fire, and you can bet your literary tookus that I’ll be heading straight to the library to get my hands on it!
I would recommend this book to any reader, of any age, gender, and inclination. I know I’ll be stocking my personal library with more than a few copies, and I’ll probably be giving them out like mad.
To learn more about the author, visit her website.
To start reading this amazing novel, visit your local library or buy it through IndieBound!
(you can get it though Amazon or Barnes & Noble too, but I like supporting IndieBound’s vision, plus they can show you where to buy the book locally!)
