Scan barcode
rballenger's review against another edition
5.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: Reese's Book Club Pick.
Overall rating: This was an excellent book. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and how the past and present came together as one. Some of the book was a little predictable but I didn't mind that because the story was well written and engaging. I would recommend The Alice Network in a heartbeat.
What made me pick it up: Reese's Book Club Pick.
Overall rating: This was an excellent book. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and how the past and present came together as one. Some of the book was a little predictable but I didn't mind that because the story was well written and engaging. I would recommend The Alice Network in a heartbeat.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
3.5***
Charlie St Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and heading to Europe with her mother to take care of “the little problem.” It’s 1947 and Charlie is reeling from the death of her brother and worried about her beloved cousin, Rose, who has not been heard from in a couple of years. She decides to find Eve Gardiner, the one name and only clue she has to Rose’s whereabouts. But Eve is an alcoholic recluse with her own demons. During WWI she had been recruited as a spy working with the French Resistance. Along with other women they formed The Alice Network.
Based on the real stories of women who served as spies during World War I, Quinn has crafted an interesting, engaging story of wartime heroines and the price they paid for their service. She uses a dual timeline, moving back and forth between Charlie’s search for Rose, and Eve’s remembered experiences thirty years earlier.
I found Charlie irritating. She was in turns stubborn, hysteric, weepy, lost and determined. I thought she was mostly immature, and she got on my nerves almost as much as she got on Eve’s.
I was much more interested in Eve’s story. She’s a broken woman when we meet her, racked with survivor’s guilt and trying to numb her pain with alcohol. But as I learn more about her back story, how she came to be recruited for the spy network, her courage and bravery in the face of very real danger, I grew to admire her. Her story is what compelled me to keep reading / listening.
I found the ending rather rushed and implausible. I am referring mostly to Lost half a star there.
The author’s note at the end expounds on the real people and events that inspired the novel. Additional historical information (letters and trial records) is also included.
Saskia Maarleveld did a marvelous job performing the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has the skill needed to differentiate a large cast of characters from a number of countries (Scotland, USA, France, England, and Germany). My only complaint about the audio is that it does NOT include the author notes and historical documents that the text.
3.5***
Charlie St Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and heading to Europe with her mother to take care of “the little problem.” It’s 1947 and Charlie is reeling from the death of her brother and worried about her beloved cousin, Rose, who has not been heard from in a couple of years. She decides to find Eve Gardiner, the one name and only clue she has to Rose’s whereabouts. But Eve is an alcoholic recluse with her own demons. During WWI she had been recruited as a spy working with the French Resistance. Along with other women they formed The Alice Network.
Based on the real stories of women who served as spies during World War I, Quinn has crafted an interesting, engaging story of wartime heroines and the price they paid for their service. She uses a dual timeline, moving back and forth between Charlie’s search for Rose, and Eve’s remembered experiences thirty years earlier.
I found Charlie irritating. She was in turns stubborn, hysteric, weepy, lost and determined. I thought she was mostly immature, and she got on my nerves almost as much as she got on Eve’s.
I was much more interested in Eve’s story. She’s a broken woman when we meet her, racked with survivor’s guilt and trying to numb her pain with alcohol. But as I learn more about her back story, how she came to be recruited for the spy network, her courage and bravery in the face of very real danger, I grew to admire her. Her story is what compelled me to keep reading / listening.
I found the ending rather rushed and implausible. I am referring mostly to
Spoiler
the final confrontation between Eve, Charlie and Rene, but also to the Epilogue set in 1949.The author’s note at the end expounds on the real people and events that inspired the novel. Additional historical information (letters and trial records) is also included.
Saskia Maarleveld did a marvelous job performing the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has the skill needed to differentiate a large cast of characters from a number of countries (Scotland, USA, France, England, and Germany). My only complaint about the audio is that it does NOT include the author notes and historical documents that the text.
xcinnamonsugar's review against another edition
3.0
Chapters alternate between the past (Eve) and the present (Charlie). The latter was a bit of a drag to get through.
All the spy work in Eve’s chapters had me on the edge of my seat. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover in the epilogue that Alice Dubois, the queen of spies, was a real historical figure and actually pulled off most of the insane stunts described.
Charlie was annoying, but the worst feature of her storyline was her supposed love for math/numbers. It was clearly written by someone who does not enjoy math but imagines that math-inclined people think in nonsensical equations such as, and I quote, “One scribbled address plus one dash of resolve multiplied to the power of ten...solve for X”. WHAT IS THIS I’m crying.
All the spy work in Eve’s chapters had me on the edge of my seat. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover in the epilogue that Alice Dubois, the queen of spies, was a real historical figure and actually pulled off most of the insane stunts described.
Charlie was annoying, but the worst feature of her storyline was her supposed love for math/numbers. It was clearly written by someone who does not enjoy math but imagines that math-inclined people think in nonsensical equations such as, and I quote, “One scribbled address plus one dash of resolve multiplied to the power of ten...solve for X”. WHAT IS THIS I’m crying.
lindsey_reads06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilyosterloh's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Abortion, Gore, Violence, Blood, Sexual assault, Torture, and War
_callmebekah_'s review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
emilye3's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this! What an amazing story. I loved Charlie and Eve and Finn so much. Their stories are sad but they find something in each other and make something out of it. I listened to this on audiobook and I’m so glad I did because it felt like I was actually listening to them each tell me their stories. Highly recommend!
xylandriel33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this book for a book club I am part of, and historical novels that are set specifically during a war tend to be ones I avoid. They are just too heavy emotionally for me to enjoy most of the time. However!!!! I am so glad I decided to attempt this book. Kate Quinn's writing sucked me in from the very first chapter, and I had a hard time ever putting it down, honestly. The dual storyline with two points of view was really well done! Sometimes one storyline can outshine the other one but I had no problem with Eve and Charlie's stories. Both were equally intriguing for me. :) I really enjoyed this one!
kahledietz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
lozza27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
I was surprised by how much I loved this book! I knew I liked specific types of historical fiction, but I did not expect to be so engaged with this story. I loved the dual timelines and how they connected. I loved the characters and their stories and hardships. I specially loved hearing about Eve’s story as a spy because it kept me on my toes and very engaged. I was so attached to her character and grew to love her resiliency and strength. The story was heart breaking, entertaining, and had a beautiful ending. I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I have it a try!