Code Name Verity

By: Elizabeth Wein

Narrated by: Morven Christie, Lucy Gaskell

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Code Name Verity is a compelling, emotionally rich story with universal themes of friendship and loyalty, heroism and bravery. Two young women from totally different backgrounds are thrown together during World War II: one a working-class girl from Manchester, the other a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a wireless operator. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted friends. But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. The story begins in Verity's own words, as she writes her account for her captors.

©2012 Elizabeth Gatland (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

I cried

Amazing story and I'm not even that interested in the time period. Warning: this one will wrench your heart.

Beautifully written!

The friendship between these two girls, yes, girls, was a testament to the real goodness of people. Strong and self starters, afraid but with go ahead bravery, they both were the best of that generation. Love, love the book.

Uplifting and fascinating

What did you love best about Code Name Verity?

The individuality of the characters and their strength and talents.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the combination of historical fact and human drama, and the courage and humor of the main characters.

Which character – as performed by Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell – was your favorite?

Hah I didn't even realize it was two separate narrators. I didn't have a favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

You will find this especially interesting if you are interested in aircraft and their history, but it's fascinating even without that.

Truly FANTASTIC!

Truly fantastic couldn't stop listening. The narrators were perfect for the parts. strongly recommend to all

Phenomenal WWII story

Would you listen to Code Name Verity again? Why?

This was a phenomenal story about two young women who were part of the ATA (Aviation Transport Auxilllary) in Britain during WWII. The story was told in two parts, and i loved the fact that there were two narrators for the book. Both were terrific! I felt as if I were listening to the two leading characters as they told their story. My favorite Audible book to date!!

I can't stop thinking about this book!

What made the experience of listening to Code Name Verity the most enjoyable?

I laughed, I cried. Hearing the story of two best friends in WW2 England. The storytelling of the main character was incredible. At the end, you'll wish it was a series. Wishing the story didn't end.

Any additional comments?

5 stars except...I loved this story and the performance. There were a few times where the storyline got intense. There were times when the character was yelling. And the narrator yelled. I'm ok with that, but I wish the producer had done a better job of leveling the audio. There were a few times I had to yank the earbud out of my ear.

For the most part it was a pretty good story, but

Ms. Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell gave a very good performance. Elizabeth Wein's story seems an reasonably accurate picture of how women in the armed forces of WWII were treated. Up until the bridge I was enjoying the book and then, well the actions on the bridge were unrealistic. I don't want to put in a spoiler, but anyone with the proven ability to shoot as well as she could, would not have allowed the actions to get that out of hand.

Deceptively Cheery Tone - Realistic WWII Tale

(NO spoiler here.) So, I was annoyed at the beginning of the book, and numerous times throughout. The (English and Scottish) heroines are extremely chipper during war time in England and France. I thought Americans had a reputation for being upbeat, but these two characters kept smiling and making self-deprecating remarks and "golly gee whiz" comments even in the scariest and most desperate situations.

Now that I have listened to the whole book, I believe that the author used this cheerful tone to lull the reader into a state of relaxation and ease, so that - when she does throw something tragic at us - it hits harder. Good technique. It worked on me.

But it still seemed unrealistic and it still annoyed me, so I could not give this book a 5.

The narrator was fine.

I really cared about these characters!

I really felt I knew the characters. The construction of the plot had surprises and tension that kept me looking forward to the next time I could listen.

Riveting, Emotional WWII Spy Adventure

What did you love best about Code Name Verity?

Connecting with the characters. This was a historical era story, but I had no trouble imagining I was there and right there with them as they experienced what they did.

What other book might you compare Code Name Verity to and why?

Any book where a character is hiding the truth within the truth while acting a part under intense duress.

Have you listened to any of Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first time, but they were both sensational.

If you could rename Code Name Verity, what would you call it?

I Told the Truth

Any additional comments?

Story will stick with me for some time to come.