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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
I adore Kate Atkinson and will read anything she writes. This book was no exception!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting book based on some real life spy stuff the author was intrigued by. It had me second guessing what was really going on with and around the main character all along. Definitely a fun little ride, even if not my favorite of Atkinson’s. Glad I read it and would recommend to those who love spy novels.
Didnt really like the big twist at the end but enjoyed it otherwise
I love love love female spy stories, such as Restless by William Boyd, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn and The Traitor's Girl by Christine Wells -- and I love love love Kate Atkinson novels. I think I self-hyped Transcription a little, as I found the ending unsatisfying. However, for the most part, I enjoyed the story of a typist hired to transcribe bugged conversations of British fifth columnists. I probably preferred the sections set in 1950 at the BBC, and would have loved more of the story set during this period. I think I found the relationships between the spies and handlers confusing.
It was pretty good, but I had a bit of a hard time following who was on which side during the war. Maybe that was my lack of understanding.
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'd say 3 1/2 stars. Juliet Armstrong at age 18 becomes a member of MI5 during WWII - first doing clerical work, then transciption work, and eventually some spying. The book goes back and forth in time mostly between 1940 and 1950. Juliet assisted with an operation of spying on 5th column, Nazi-sympathizers in England by transcribing recordings of information collected. After the war, she receives an anonymous threat and wonders if it's a ghost from her past. No one is quite who he/she seems, it appears. I enjoyed the book, but wish a little more explanation had been given for some parts of the resolution at the end. Juliet is an interesting character, very cynical and worldly-wise for someone so young, yet also naive at times. Sometimes her character did not ring true and seemed more like someone with contemporary sensibilities. The book is loosely based on some real life spies/operations. I enjoy espionage, and this one was pretty good.
This was a one off for me, with Kate Atkinson. Usually, I love her stuff (hello, Started early, took my dog), but I found Juliet to be a less than engaging character, and frankly, the story was a little puzzling.