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A review by smiley_kylie
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
5.0
This is an excellent historical fiction novel based on an actual WW1 spy network led by Louise de Bettignies.
Something I appreciate about this book: though the story is based on the true life of the heroic Louise de Bettignies, she is more of a supporting character in this novel. (Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to read a book all about her and her efforts and will be looking for one soon.) It feels typical for a novel like this one to follow the leader of the network, the one who is bravest against all odds and inspires hope to her comrades. Instead, the reader follows two imperfect women in timelines about 30 years apart with lives that happen to intertwine thanks to the influence of Louise de Bettignies (Lili).
One is Eve, a woman with a sharp mind and a quick wit, but a stuttering tongue. She is recruited into the Alice Network in WW1 under the tutelage of Lili. Though she herself exhibits great bravery, she also carries a heavy burden of guilt from her actions in the war. The other is Charlie, a young woman with a head for numbers from a wealthy family who finds herself unmarried and accidentally pregnant in the aftermath of WW2.
Desperate to locate her beloved cousin who she lost contact with during WW2, Charlie crosses paths with Eve (now a weathered older lady with drink on her breath and a luger in her hand) who seems to know more than she is letting on. As the two women and Eve's driver, Finn, continue their search, we learn more about Eve's harrowing past: the brave things she did to serve her country and the reasons she feels so guilty.
This is an excellent and easy to read story. The angle of the perspectives provide a fascinating look into the effect war can have on people, both during and after. I recommend to lovers of wartime historical fiction.
Note: I listened to this as an audiobook while following along in my physical copy. Something my physical copy has that the audiobook does not is an excellent author's note at the end separating fact from fiction. I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible amount of truth included in the story!
Something I appreciate about this book: though the story is based on the true life of the heroic Louise de Bettignies, she is more of a supporting character in this novel. (Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to read a book all about her and her efforts and will be looking for one soon.) It feels typical for a novel like this one to follow the leader of the network, the one who is bravest against all odds and inspires hope to her comrades. Instead, the reader follows two imperfect women in timelines about 30 years apart with lives that happen to intertwine thanks to the influence of Louise de Bettignies (Lili).
One is Eve, a woman with a sharp mind and a quick wit, but a stuttering tongue. She is recruited into the Alice Network in WW1 under the tutelage of Lili. Though she herself exhibits great bravery, she also carries a heavy burden of guilt from her actions in the war. The other is Charlie, a young woman with a head for numbers from a wealthy family who finds herself unmarried and accidentally pregnant in the aftermath of WW2.
Desperate to locate her beloved cousin who she lost contact with during WW2, Charlie crosses paths with Eve (now a weathered older lady with drink on her breath and a luger in her hand) who seems to know more than she is letting on. As the two women and Eve's driver, Finn, continue their search, we learn more about Eve's harrowing past: the brave things she did to serve her country and the reasons she feels so guilty.
This is an excellent and easy to read story. The angle of the perspectives provide a fascinating look into the effect war can have on people, both during and after. I recommend to lovers of wartime historical fiction.
Note: I listened to this as an audiobook while following along in my physical copy. Something my physical copy has that the audiobook does not is an excellent author's note at the end separating fact from fiction. I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible amount of truth included in the story!