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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Excellent writing but the first half of the book was very slow and it was hard for me to stay interested.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book really grew on me as I progressed and as I became aware of how complex it actually was. Almost want to read it again (especially the first half) through the lens of a second reading.
Much like in "The Song of Achilles," I spent the last half hour snivelling miserably over this book, feeling like I'd been hit in the back of the head. I THINK I'M DONE WITH TRAGEDIES FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS IT WAS PERFECT AND I CAN HANDLE NO MORE.
Aside from that, I'm really into the way the story is laid out-- the written confession frame has certainly been done before but it is done with some clever effects here,given that it takes half a book to really unfold exactly what Julie has and hasn't been telling her captors. Unreliable narration is so fun! Especially when it's done as a form of cleverness by the character.
and I'm very, very gay for Maddie and Julie, who are amazing (AND WHO COULD HAVE BEEN REAL. WOMEN DID THINGS IN HISTORY. I LIKE THAT THIS BOOK CARES ABOUT THAT, ON ALL LEVELS OF THINGS THAT WOMEN DID.) It's such a good story.
Aside from that, I'm really into the way the story is laid out-- the written confession frame has certainly been done before but it is done with some clever effects here,
and I'm very, very gay for Maddie and Julie, who are amazing (AND WHO COULD HAVE BEEN REAL. WOMEN DID THINGS IN HISTORY. I LIKE THAT THIS BOOK CARES ABOUT THAT, ON ALL LEVELS OF THINGS THAT WOMEN DID.) It's such a good story.
Extraordinary tale of friendship. Nothing i've seen in this world resembles what Verity and Kittyhawk had.
adventurous
emotional
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I've already been recommending this book. A great read. Good storytelling. Enough twists to keep you interested. Satisfying ending.
This book was okay but it was difficult for me to get into for some reason. Had higher hopes.
I am a wimp so I avoided reading this for three years because I was afraid of reading from the perspective of a U.S. spy being interrogated by the Gestapo in France during World War II.
On many levels, it isn't an easy read despite the narrative not...quite....showing us the actual torture.
While I was confused a bit at the start as the story jumps right in with places, names, and situations I wasn't familiar with, it slowly dawned on me that this was Verity/Julie herself telling the narrative of how she met her best friend and pilot and how she herself ended up in France as a confession to her torturers.
And the brilliance of Verity herself is the brilliance of the author. Verity/Julie is an unreliable narrator, and as she weaves truth and lies together, a picture emerges of an amazing friendship, the amazing bravery of small acts, and the ways women can help eachother fly.
"Keep Flying the Plane, Maddie." ; "Kiss me quick, Hardy" These two phrases, by the end of the accounts of flying planes secretly across the channel, hiding out with the resistance, wire operators risking their lives, muddled ethics of collaboraters who may not be all what they seem, etc, gain an emotional resonance that is impossible to ignore.
Splendid, difficult, emotional, wonderful book. My pre-teen tried to read it and she was a bit confused. I would say that while the worst is implied and happens off-screen, some background knowledge on world war II and the political situation is necessary to understand since we are plunged right into Verity's tale.
On many levels, it isn't an easy read despite the narrative not...quite....showing us the actual torture.
While I was confused a bit at the start as the story jumps right in with places, names, and situations I wasn't familiar with, it slowly dawned on me that this was Verity/Julie herself telling the narrative of how she met her best friend and pilot and how she herself ended up in France as a confession to her torturers.
And the brilliance of Verity herself is the brilliance of the author. Verity/Julie is an unreliable narrator, and as she weaves truth and lies together, a picture emerges of an amazing friendship, the amazing bravery of small acts, and the ways women can help eachother fly.
"Keep Flying the Plane, Maddie." ; "Kiss me quick, Hardy" These two phrases, by the end of the accounts of flying planes secretly across the channel, hiding out with the resistance, wire operators risking their lives, muddled ethics of collaboraters who may not be all what they seem, etc, gain an emotional resonance that is impossible to ignore.
Splendid, difficult, emotional, wonderful book. My pre-teen tried to read it and she was a bit confused. I would say that while the worst is implied and happens off-screen, some background knowledge on world war II and the political situation is necessary to understand since we are plunged right into Verity's tale.