The Rose Code (May 2022) Buddy Read Discussion - Rosina & Hafsah

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the The Rose Code Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on May 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 05/01
May 1 - Prologue to end of Chapter 6

Week of 05/02
May 2 - Chapter 7 to end of Chapter 13
May 3 - 14 to end of 20
May 4 - 21 to end of 27
May 5 - 28 to end of 33
May 6 - 34 to end of 41
May 7 - 42 to end of 52
May 8 - 53 to end of 60

Week of 05/09
May 9 - 61 to end of 71
May 10 - 72 to end of 80
May 11 - 81 to end

PARTICIPANTS
~ Rosina
~ Hafsah

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

I've started the prologue and I just had a quick comment:
Idk why the author is doing this to me, using real ppl in her novel
When I think Prince Phillip of Greece, I'm not thinking dashing, handsome and charming
I'm thinking old, wrinkly and dead.

[Rosina]

I am starting Chapter 5

I didnt make the connection at first that Prince Phillip of Greece was the Prince Phillip that married Queen Elizabeth. I had watched some of The Crown on Netfllix and I have the vision of the actor that played Prince Phillip who i thought had been miscast he just didnt seem to look like a young Prince Phillip.

So far I am enjoying the story. I am really interested in learning more about Bletchley Park. I had watched the series on Netflix. Have you seen it? I have those ladies in my mind as the characters in this story.

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

you are more fortunate that me it seems because I'm picturing the real Prince Phillip and its really throwing me off

I haven't seen the series (I didn't even know there was one??!)

Finished chapter six: and I'm really intrigued by Beth's story, like how did she end up in the mental hospital because I know she's not mental..

[Rosina]

Here is a link to the series.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2275990/

looks like it is on Prime Video.

[Rosina]

I am also intrigued by Beth's story. She is very intelligent and perhaps she on the spectrum. I say that because (view spoiler)[ when she was zoning out when looking at the rose (hide spoiler)]. I love this time period of history and that is because my mom was a teenager during the blitz and having her describe her life during that time in history was so interesting to me.

[Melanie]

I don’t want to crash your party, but would you mind if I joined you in reading The Rose Code? I could catch up today. Let me know.

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

@Melanie
Of course!!! the more the merrier and we were just getting started as well

[Rosina]

sure...welcome...jump right in

[Melanie]

Thank you. I’ll catch up today.

[Melanie]

I sat down to read and a couple of hours later looked up and found myself finishing Chapter 10. I did see the series, although I watched it a long time ago when it came out on PBS. There is another really interesting perspective on Bletchley Park and codebreaking, a movie called Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

I love books that expose me to something I never knew. I looked up Prince Phillip and apparently, he did date Osla Benning in 1939 while he was sort of waiting for Elizabeth to grow up. I never knew that. I really didn't know anything about him as a young man before watching The Crown.

Do you think Beth's mother is being protective of a socially awkward daughter, or do you think her oppressive and over-bearing manner has really impacted her? I wonder. I'm totally interested to find out why she got locked up in an asylum.

[Rosina]

I started my reading for the day but will have to continue later today after work. I watched The Imitation Game a few times and really enjoyed it.
I hadnt had a chance to read about Prince Phillip and his life before marriage. I never really had much interest in him but after watching a show I am intrigued with his mothers life - Princess Alice of Greece.

[Melanie]

This is the second time I've read a book written by Kate Quinn and I really need to put her on my TBR more often. I read alot, and sometimes that makes books kind of fade away from memory as time passes. But I have never forgotten The Alice Network. It has stayed with me. I can still remember where I was when I read a certain passage of that book that I found arresting. All this to say that even though I knew something of Bletchly Park before reading this book, I'm engrossed.

[Rosina]

well I finally got day 2 reading finished. I am really enjoying this story. I am really intrigued by Beth and wonder as well how she ended up in the asylum. I have read that genius is just a step away from madness. Or did some place her in the asylum to keep her quiet or from exposing something.

[Rosina]

Im in chapter 14 and wondering why Beth is being called Liddell and not Finch? Did I miss something?

[Melanie]

@Rosina I didn’t even catch that! Im wondering who the traitor is. Im wondering if it’s the poet or if that’s just what I’m supposed to think at this point. Any guesses who it could be? I think it’s definitely a man.

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

the doctor calls her Alice Liddell quite a lot and I think its very much connected to BP and the traitor storyline

@Melanie The poet i feel is the distraction, i just know when we find out who it is, it'll be the least expected person

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

Afterthought: I think Alice Liddell is a nickname because she's part of the Mad hatters book club thing idk sounded more wow in my head lol

[Rosina]

I got some more read this morning and I know that this is going to consume me over the next couple of days but I hope I can hold it till the weekend.

No idea who the traitor is yet. Im leaning towards a woman.

[Melanie]

@Hafsah I totally missed that Alice in Wonderland reference until you put it together. And to think I was an English Major, but I never liked Louis Carroll either. So I guess I’m with Mab.

[Melanie]

Where are you two in the reading? I am being careful about my posts because I absolutely don’t want to post spoilers. But, I cannot slow down. I have read 2-days ahead because I’m totally engrossed. I can’t tell which story I like better the flashback story of BP or the story of Beth in the Asylum.

[Rosina]

I'm starting ch 31...I feel the same and reading when I can....might be done early if I get more time this weekend...

[Rosina]

On the laptop this morning, typing on my mobile is so frustrating.
So I read more last night and this morning. I will be starting Ch 34 later today.
Here are some of my thoughts
(view spoiler)[ I really do not like Beth's parents. It seems that the mother has ruled that house from the start. She is a mean person. I really got upset when she forced Boots out the house and the gals had to go looking for him. Her father was not much help.
I am glad that Beth stood up to her mother and that the gals let together that night. She is much better being away from her parents.

Mab getting married. I am torn on this. I am hoping she gets her HEA but I have my doubts. I just finished reading where they went to the Lake Country for 36 hours and they were communicating via notes. I found that kinda cute but I think it would get irritating. I can understand that both are tortured souls. Chapter 33 ends with Mab telling about story with the 3 boys but then says "Dont ask for anymore secrets."
Is Mab the one who betrayed Beth?

Osla going and showing a way that information can be smuggled out of BP. Will she be accused of leaking secrets? Is Dilly the spy or does someone break into his safe?
We know the outcome of her and Philip relationship. I do kind of wish that she gets her HEA. I had never realized that Philip and Lilibeth had been corresponding since she was 13. I thought that it was an arranged marriage of sorts. (hide spoiler)]

Halfway through, I am still enjoying the story but wondering if perhaps it is a bit too long.

[Melanie]

I’m on Chapter 55. I can’t answer if it’s too long yet. That’s possible for sure, but I’m still hanging on every word and feel like there are lots of storylines that will resolve and I’ll be totally satisfied. There is obviously the main story arc with the three girls and what happened to cause such a rift, how Beth came to be in the asylum, and whether or not there is a traitor at BP and who it is. But I’m also really interested in if there is something more going on with Dilly and the cypher he was working on, where is Harry Zarb and why has he not shown up for Beth, and where is the mysterious J.P.E.C. Cornwell?

Also, I’d just like to say. I’ve participated in buddy reads before, but this one has been by far the most enjoyable. It is fun to read a hood book, buts even more fun to read a good book and have someone to really discuss it with — especially when they point you to things you might have missed. Thank you both.

[Rosina]

So glad you are enjoying the BR. Sometimes they can be so dry.
I just finished Ch34 my question is (view spoiler)[ the smell that Osla spelt after Mountbatten and entourage visited BP...was it the smell from the coat from Cromwell when he rescued her from the Cafe bombing?
And if so perhaps she cant remember/recognize him from that night? (hide spoiler)]

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

I'm a little behind and I'm fighting the urge to read y'alls spoilers but I will refrain until I can catch up later today

[Rosina]

no Worries Hafsah....my reading speed has been inconsistent....Hoping to finish this weekend....

i think I am on Ch39....starting to speed up a bit now...

[Rosina]

Go more read last night. Currently to start Ch57

Thoughts so far. I am enjoying the read. Good writing and does a good job of keeping you focused in such a long book.
(view spoiler)[ Still havent figured out who put Beth in the asylum other than it must be from the higher ups. I am thinking that perhaps it has something to do with Dilly and the code he was working on. It had to do with the Russians, and the Russians were Allies. Perhaps Beth cracked something in that code that would be devastating if it was known so she was put away.

Francis and Lucy both gone. Poor Mab but she does remarry from the snippets of info in the Chapters when they talk about going to see Beth in the Asylum.

Ozma was surprised she was told to cease correspondence with Philip. Good that they met at Christmas but now she knows about Philip and Elizabeth.

What stood out for me was the bombing of Coventry and I think because of the stories I had heard from my mom about Coventry. That is where she married her first husband - I cant remember the exact year was either 43 or 44. I had seen pics of the wedding and it is a pretty place. He was granted a 3 day leave so they could get married.

Now Giles and Mab spend the night together. Will he be the one she marries? And he is so in love with Beth. But Beth with Harry. Wondering how this is going to be resolved?
(hide spoiler)]

[Rosina]

I finished this morning. The last 150 pages go by quickly. I really enjoyed this story. I like how real people are integrated into the story. I will read more of her books. have few on my shelf to read.

I liked how the story all tied together at the end. Looking forward to hearing what you all though of the book.

[Hafs, Games Procrastinator]

I just finished it as well. I will wait until Melanie is done to post a full review.

I didn't like the real ppl aspect to the story sadly (and weirdly) and while I enjoyed the story I don't think I see myself picking up another one of a books any time soon.

[Melanie]

I'm so sorry for the delay. I finished last Thursday, I just couldn't hold myself back once I was hooked on the story, but I did have to travel over the weekend to a family celebration out of town. I thought I would wait to give you both time to finish.

I loved it. It made me kick myself for not reading more books by Kate Quinn sooner. I loved how the old team all came back together to help Beth once she escaped. The idea of the lobotomy on a mind as complex and magical as Beth's had me so stressed out as a storyline. And, the twist of Mab and Mike come together when they realize they both worked for BP -- I didn't see that coming at all. And I loved that Osla got her happy ending with JPEC Cornwell. I'm a sucker for a happy ending, while also learning quite a bit about history.

I really appreciated the Epilogue by the author. I had lots of questions and the Epilogue went a long way to answering most of them.

I can't wait to hear what you both thought. And I'm also really curious what you plan to read next. I really enjoyed this buddy reading group a lot, and hope to read more with you both.

[Rosina]

I really ejoyed the story. When i read HF I always end up looking for more books to read. I always have had an interest in British Royalty and have a few books to read - most are on Wallis Simpson... one is on Alice - Philips mom...

I thought the wtiting was good and I didnt find there was really any slow spots. I too liked that there were HEA for the core group. I think Beth was my favorite character and I was really hoping she didnt get the lobotomy...
I didnt see the Mike Mab connection until it was pointed out...I hadnt really thought that Giles was the traitor....I was thinking it would be someone we really didnt know or one of the higher ups...
I will definitely read more of her books....

[Rosina]

My next BR is ....looking forward to entering a good fantasy...

[Melanie]

Rosina, What is the book about Alice? I think I'd be interested in reading that for sure. Let me know.

[Rosina]

Melanie wrote: "Rosina, What is the book about Alice? I think I'd be interested in reading that for sure. Let me know."

I got it on a kindle sale a few months ago..