The Alice Network by Kate Quinn - November 2018

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Our winning group read for November is The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. Please discuss here and remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.



In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.
1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.

[Dan]

I recently finished reading this book. I must admit that when I read the blurb, I thought moving back and forth between Charlie in 1947 and Eve in 1915 would make the narrative disjointed. Instead the two plots weave together seamlessly into a whole.

[Tracy]

I greatly enjoyed this book and enjoyed learning about these brave, female spies!

[Deb]

I'm disappointed with this one. I felt it was too formulaic, too chicklit, too stereotyped.

[Dan]

I thought it was one of the best books I've read recently. I also enjoyed learning about the female spies. I've been reading about the ones who worked for Britain's Secret Operations Executive during World War II but didn't know there were ones in World War I.

[Tracy]

Dan, any other books you recommend regarding female spies?

[Lexi]

I finished this last night, and I was impressed! I have always considered the resolution to be the most telling part of a book when it comes to the author's writing ability, and I have to say that I felt as though Kate Quinn took her time when resolving the many moving pieces of the novel.

Additionally, I thought the way Kate Quinn handled the alternating narrative was superb. It left just the right number of unanswered questions, but still kept the reader informed.

(view spoiler)[ I have to say that I did see it coming that Rose was dead all along, but I don't think that took anything away from the story. How Rose's death contributed to the plot was surprising to me. (hide spoiler)]

Very excited to hear what others have to say!

[Corina]

I've read this one a while back but really enjoyed, thought it was well written and the dynamic between the characters was great. I didn't really know anything about female spies during the war, so must say it was interesting to find out more about it.

[Christine]

Loved this book. I went to a book signing and met the author. The characters are fictional but many things are based on real events. Oradour-Sur-Glane is a real place. Absolutely heart breaking. http://www.oradour.info/images/teach0...

[TR]

I read this one over the summer (I think that's when it was). One of the best books I've read this year.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I missed the last couple of posts! Christine, I bet that was interesting to meet the author. I always enjoy getting inside information on books. I think I would have liked to hear her speak. Thanks for the link.

I still haven't gotten to this one, but definitely want to soon. My husband read it and loved it. Lots of 5 star ratings here too.

[Carol]

Just finished. So many great reviews on this book but it fell short for me. It has all the elements I love - alternating time periods, historical fiction, based on a true story...I believe I would have enjoyed the WWI storyline on its own more. The WWII story line, and Charlie, was annoying and did not resonate with me.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

That's a bummer, Carol. That's happened to me many times where there are lots of good reviews and I have high expectations, but it just doesn't work for me for whatever reason.

I'm probably not going to have the time to get to this one until January, so I'll be discussing late. December is always a bit crazy.

[Sharon]

I finally got a copy of this after being on my library waiting list for 6 months! I just started, but I'm hooked already! So far, I'm enjoying the Eve chapters more.

[Dan]

Sharon wrote: "I finally got a copy of this after being on my library waiting list for 6 months! I just started, but I'm hooked already! So far, I'm enjoying the Eve chapters more."

It keeps getting better.

[Colleen]

Can't wait to read this one for my RL book club next year. :)

[Sharon]

Finished and I loved this! 4 stars. So interesting to learn about this network of spies. I love how everyone doubted these women were so important and in such leadership positions simply because they were women - they sure proved them wrong!