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

Tremendous, exhilarating and unique. A must buy!

How can a WWII spy novel be unique? Ive read the best of them including the entire works of Higgins, Follett, Greg Ilse wrote a great one, Forsythe too. So I was skeptical and even a bit weary of the subject matter even though its been several years since i read a WWII novel. Cynthia's review tipped me this might be special, and i am so grateful it did.

For some of us, there are times in our lives when we experience a special relationship where the synergy of both personalties, self esteem, intelligence, ingenuity and drive creates something greater than the relationship itself. Ive seen and experienced it in sales, several friendships and in marriage. This is the story of two remarkable young British women who meet and work together just before the beginning of WWII. Individuallly they are smart and resourceful, though each is exceptional in different ways. They become best friends, but their relationship results in a much larger, more deadly force for Brittain against the Nazis.

The narration is eloquent. The narrative is sharp and funny.

This is a remarkable accomplishment.

Don't let the YA throw you off this book.

I tend not to like YA books. I just don't. I never would have listened to this one if I'd known up front is was considered YA - and that would have been a pity. I would have missed a terrific listen.

While not history but historical fiction, I thought much of what happened was possible. It seems that more and more I hear about specific women and their role in WWII. I am astounded that their names are not well known to all of us. This is a perfect illustration of the kinds of things women did during the war - often without recognition.

There are plenty of plot summaries already written. They border on being spoilers and that's unfortunate. Listen to this book with an open mind and just let it take you.

The narration is spot on. I cannot imagine anyone doing it any better.

Simply must read for yourself...

For mature YA's and adults it's an award winning read, quite intense yet uplifting. Such a difficult story to tell right... Elizabeth Wein deserves accolades for her creative presentation. I was a little irritated with the point of view jumping around from first to third and back again... and also the inconsistencies in what Queenie should know of Maddie versus the great amount of detail she shares. Thus the four stars. However, once the tale is told the reader understands this and I found in going back and listening to previously irritating spots... knowing the end made them brilliant. WWII as experienced in occupied France as a prisoner and spy was new for me and I enjoyed the historical insight. The resilience of the main characters makes what they endure much more bearable for the reader. It has the feel of "The Potato Peel Pie Society." I will read again.

Gripping story; wonderful characters.

Would you consider the audio edition of Code Name Verity to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but listening made the story very immediate -- and the narrators' voices made the point of view completely clear.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Code Name Verity?

I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read the book, but there were several points in the story that moved me to tears, or shocked me breathless. The author creates a vivid picture of WW II, and it was particularly neat to get a war story from two women's points of view -- and from women who weren't sitting on the sidelines, either!

Heartwrenching tale of friendship

Oh – my – goodness. I haven’t cried at the end of a book since The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I mean, WOW. In this historical fiction filled thriller, we meet Verity who is writing journal entries while captured by the Gestapo. Now, let me be very clear that it WILL take you more than half of the book to get into this book, but other reviewers and readers are not exaggerating when they say that it will pay off. I, myself, was extremely skeptical – this book that was “meh” for over 50% – how could it possible turn around? BUT IT DID.

This book made me bawl like a baby and all I could think of was MY best friend, who I’m lucky to blog with, and what I would do if it were the two of us in World War II. If you don’t come away from this book thinking about your best friend, I don’t know what to tell you!

What can I say about Code Name Verity that hasn’t already been said? I agree with my friends here:

“Code Name Verity is one of those books that will be seared into my brain and heart” – Jamie

“This novel tells such a beautiful, moving tale of friendship that will be staying with me for a long while.” -Alexa

Please please make the investment of this book – it’s so hard to ask someone to give a book more than 50% when you aren’t really into it but I promise, it will pay out. (I have told the truth!)

Absolutely fantastic historical fiction

Where does Code Name Verity rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

So far, it's the best of it's category: historical fiction. In addition to the a great story with some major twists, Jennifer Wein follows the book up with a brief discussion of research and the writing process.

What did you like best about this story?

The pace of the story telling and the background necessary to the story were well thought out. With struggling readers, some would have trouble with the long winding narration of the main character during her imprisonment. But the audible book make that part much more interesting.

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

Never listened to them before

Grateful that I didn't pass this up

Parts of the story cover brutal topics (WWll interrogation) but they are handled beautifully. Descriptions that evoke the emotions without the graphics. I think that this is marketed as a teen book but it is deep and clever, not superficial. It is hard to review without giving away some of the wonderfully complex interrelated storyline lines. Both heroines are brave and real and I'm grateful that I didn't skip Verity and Maddie's story. Highly recommend.

Amazing Narrator!

I loved listening to this book. LOVED the voices and tone changes. The story was entertaining and I was sorry to have it come to an end. I thought the ending was a little weak though very credible. Enjoyable!

well written

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

Readers were excellent

Who was your favorite character and why?

Julie. Strong, determined, goal oriented

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me cry. Very sad. How in an instant we make life decisions which influence our lives from that point on

Any additional comments?

They could have left out the singing

Kiss me Hardy!

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

I was completely engrossed in this book from the beginning, and despite thinking through a good portion of it that I couldn't possibly love it any more I found the last half bringing everything to a level I couldn't have imagined. This story is amazing, and beautiful, and horrifying, and terrible. It elicited a wide variety of emotions from me, and is an experience I won't soon forget.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it completely sucked me in, and everything felt authentic. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster, and while a lot of it was hard to experience, I wouldn't trade any of it.

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

The narrators were perfect! I truly believe that they add an additional level of wonderful on top of what is already a phenomenal story. Their accents were spot-on, and really brought both main characters to life. This is a book that is worth listening to before reading. I can't imagine there is a better way to perform this story, or a better way to experience it than by listening.

Who was the most memorable character of Code Name Verity and why?

The two main female characters are very different, but I felt completely connected to both of them. They are very different characters, each with talents the other did not posses. Their unlikely friendship and strong bond was something special to experience, and I felt glad to have met both of them.

Any additional comments?

This is a book that will stick with me. I've already found myself randomly remembering certain parts, which can elicit a strong emotional response even after the fact. I feel thankful to have experienced it, and will highly recommend it to everyone I know.