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

YA novel but good for adults too

Historical novel of a young woman pilot and her best friend in WWII. It is nicely done but I struggled a little to finish it.

Oscar worthy performance

It took me three tries to get into this audio book because it was tough to keep track of who's who, but boy am I glad I kept trying. The readers' performances are the best of any audio book I've experienced. They don't really read but rather perform and they are stunning (especially the first reader).

One of my favorites of the year...

Any additional comments?

I can't even tell you how addicted I was to every word of this story. The narration is impeccable and perfectly suited to the story and the characters. Intriguing, heart-breaking, uplifting, inspiring. Girl Power all the way. Sobbed my eyes out and wrote the author a thank you letter the second I finished listening. Just get this. You won't regret it.

Didn't Float My Boat

Would you try another book from Elizabeth Wein and/or Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell ?

Might. It wasn't horrible or all bad.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was appropriate, and frankly I wasn't surprised. I felt there'd be some twists, especially given the characteristics of the main gal.

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

No, sure haven't.

Was Code Name Verity worth the listening time?

Not for me. The narration was good, but I became bored with the detail about aviation, airplanes types, etc. It was more like droning on and on. Disappointing.

Any additional comments?

Ready to move on, and chalk this one up to bad luck.

Best story I've listened to in a long time

The narrators of this book were fantastic and the story line was captivating. It was a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

great twists

you don't see what's coming, tears and all. good to listen to as well in the car

Absolutely absorbing!

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

This is an amazing story. I had no idea when I started this story that it would haunt me afterward. So touching, courageous, and thought provoking. The narrators do a wonderful job, and the production was engrossing. I highly recommend this book. I am not a crier, but the end really got me.

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

I felt that each of the characters were so well written that it would be wrong to pick one. They all came vividly into my mind as the story played out.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Code Name Verity is what I would choose. It's the reason I decided to look at the book for selection in the first place.

Gripping, compelling YA novel for all ages

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was my first real foray into the world of audiobooks. I'm a fast reader and audiobooks usually move too slowly for me but this audiobook really enhanced my reading of this novel. I highly recommend this audiobook in addition to following along in the novel.

What does Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The care that both Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell take in narrating their respective parts of the story is incredible. They both bring the characters to life and gently maneuver through the difficult emotions that Verity and Maddie experience.

Narrator nailed it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great story and the narration superb with accents to match each character.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course it was Maddie because it made me wish I was as gutsy as her.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of them: flying, crashing, gustapo jail

If you could take any character from Code Name Verity out to dinner, who would it be and why?

too much to think about - don't know.

High five, Elizabeth!

The first time I gave this book a shot waa almost a yesar ago. I got about 40 mins in and stopped. It was a lil confusing at first. I started it up again 3 days ago and I'm glad I did! Super loved the way it was written. Blew me away at the subtle way you did the final scene... Kiss me hardy! I was driving home frm work with my mouth open and a tear in my eye! Narrators were superb