The Alice Network audiobook

I was introduced to an aspect of war that I haven't read much about - espionage, and even less so to an aspect reflecting the courage and intelligence and iron will of women serving as spies during WWl. Two time frames are connected even though there are two different wars, through the character of Eve Gardiner . She meets Charlie St. Clair in 1947 and we become privy to Eve's fascinating and intriguing life as a spy in 1915 during WWI. Charlie is searching for her cousin Rose, who was living in France during WWII and has not been heard from since. While Eve plays a major role in the more current time frame, at first reluctantly helping Charlie, it is the story of her past that is the most gripping. Having said that I was drawn to Charlie's story as well and admired her persistence and independent spirit. I was on the edge of my seat as Eve puts herself in danger to learn enemy secrets and I held my breath during one horrific scene. I've read novels about female spies in Code Name Verity and a couple of the Clara Vine stories by Jane Thynne during WWII but this is the first I've read of women spies in WWI and to say I was pulled into this story is putting it mildly. It's over 500 pages and not once did I feel as though the stories were dragged out. In fact it was hard to put down . While the main characters in this novel are fictitious, there are some real people in the story and one of them is the spy known as Alice Dubois, for whom the network of brave women is named (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis...). The real people depicted here as well as knowing that many of the circumstances were true make this so much more meaningful. The author is well known for historical fiction about Rome and I hope to read some of these as well.I received an advanced copy of this book from William Morrow/HarperCollins through Edelweiss.

The Alice Network, Kate QuinnTwo 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.تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز چهارم ماه مارس سال2019میلادیعنوان: شبکه آلیس؛ نویسنده کیت کوئن؛ مترجم: فرنوش جزینی؛ تهران: البرز، سال‏‫1397؛ در605ص؛ شابک9786009876204؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده21م‬کتابی که نویسنده اش تاریخ و خیال را، در هم‌ آمیخته، و اثری به‌ یاد ماندنی آفریده اند؛ داستان دو زن و اثری که نقش زنان در جنگ‌های جهانی را، با واژه های خویش به تصویر کشیده؛ این کتاب پس از انتشار در فهرست پرفروش‌ترین کتاب‌ها قرار گرفتنقل از متن: (بهتر این‌که اول بریم شهر «رُوان»؟ شاید اول بریم اون‌جا؛ این خیلی بیش‌تر از یک پرسش به‌ نظرم رسید، و خودم را به‌ خاطرش سرزنش کردم؛ من مجبور نبودم، برای جایی‌که بعد از آن قرار بود، بریم، اجازه بگیرم؛ این جستجو به‌ خاطر من بود، هرچند که یک کلمه خودش خیلی حرف بود؛ مأموریت من؟ وسواس فکری من؟ خب، هرچه که شما اسمش را بگذارید، این من بودم، که بابت این قضیه، باید هزینه می‌کردم، پس من مسئولش بودم؛ در ظاهر این‌طور به‌ نظر می‌رسید، که «ایو» و «فین»، عهده‌ دار آن باشند، چیزی که من آن را نمی‌فهمیدم، اما با همه این‌ها، بعد از این‌همه‌ مدت، که خود را مثل یک برگ، بر روی سطح گردابی عظیم، حس می‌کردم، از این‌که اکنون به گمشده‌ ام، نزدیک‌تر می‌شدم، حس خوبی داشتم؛محکم گفتم: ما به شهر رُوان می‌ریم؛ خاله ی من «پاریس» رو ترک کرد، و بعد از جنگ، صلاح دید، که به خانه ی تابستانی‌ اش بره؛ مادر «رُز» رو می‌گم؛ نمی‌شد از اون صرفاً با نامه، خبری گرفت، اما اگه شخصاً سراغش بریم، مطمئناً با من حرف می‌زنه؛ به «خاله فرانسویم» فکر می‌کردم، با آن تلق و تلوق تمام‌ نشدنی کیفش، که همیشه پر بود از جعبه‌ های قرص، برای تمام بیماری‌هایی که متقاعد شده‌ بود، با آن‌ بیماریها جانش را از دست می‌دهد، و من می‌خواستم به زور بازوهای نحیف و استخوانیش را بگیرم، و آن‌قدر آنها را تکان دهم، تا جوابی را که می‌خواستم، به من بدهد؛چرا «رُز» خونه رو در سال چهل و سه ترک کرد؟ چه اتفاقی واسه دخترت افتاده؟ به عرشه ی کشتی، نگاهی انداختم و «رُز» هشت ساله را دیدم، لاغر و کک‌ و مکی، که کنار نرده‌ ها، وَرجه‌ وورجه می‌کرد؛ او لبخندی به من زد، و بعد دیدم که او اصلاً «رُز» نبود؛ او حتی موهای بلوند «رُز» را هم نداشت؛ دیدم که آن بچه، به‌ سمت مادرش در سینه ی کشتی رفت، و تصورات من، هم‌چنان سعی داشت به من بگوید، که این طره ی زیبای موی «رُز» بود، که می‌دیدم، نه موهای قهوه‌ ای یک بچه ی غریبه؛تکرار کردم: «رُوان»، ما شب رو در شهر «لوآور» می‌گذرونیم، ‌بعد صبح دوباره راه می‌افتیم، اگه بتونیم قطار بگیریم، همین امشب اون‌جا هستیم.....»؛ ایو مسلماً به‌ جز سفر با اتومبیل، به چیز دیگری به‌ راحتی رضایت نمی‌داد، و به‌ همین‌ خاطر، من مجبور شده ‌بودم، پول زیادی بدهم، تا لاگوندای فین را، با آن وزن سنگینی که داشت، با جرثقیل به داخل کشتی بیاوریم؛ انگار که ما از اعیان و اشراف «انگلیس» هستیم، که به گشت‌ و گذار قاره‌ ای میرفتیم؛ که ارزش آوردن اتومبیل داشته ــ و به‌ خاطر‌همین اتومبیل، ما مجبور شدیم کشتی کم سرعت‌تر به شهر «بولون» را بگیریم، تا شهر لوآور ـــ با این هزینه، می‌توانستم شش نفر را به «فرانسه» ببرم، و برگردانمبا غرولند گفتم: «اون گاو نمی‌تونست سوار قطار بشه؟» «فین» گفت: «نمی‌دونم که اون میتونست یا نه.» نگاهی به همراه غیرقابل‌ پیش‌بینی ام در آن‌سوی کشتی انداختم؛ در سفر ماشینی، او به‌ نوبت، یا اهانت می‌کرد، و دری‌ وری می‌گفت، یا ساکت می‌شد، وقتی‌که به «فوکستون» رسیدیم، از خودرو پیاده هم نشد، و «فین» مجبور شد، که مرا برای خرید بلیت، جهت رد شدن از کانال همراهی کند)؛ پایان نقلتاریخ بهنگام رسانی 04/02/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 01/12/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

“Facing a pistol-wielding murderer does tend to put parents further down the list of things to be intimidated by.”― Kate Quinn, The Alice Network This is a very short review, but I couldn't stay completely silent on this book. The Alice Network is excellent, and I might go so far as to say it is among my favorites this year, or even among my favorite historical fiction novels ever. It had everything I wanted - mystery, history, adventure, drama, romance, wit - and though it is quite long, I was never bored. I borrowed this from the library, but will buy a copy now, because I just liked it so much. Highly recommended, Kate Quinn has a new fan!Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com

The WWI/WWII historical fiction genre has become pretty saturated over the past decade. You will find almost as many books about women in this era as you will find books with Girl/Woman in the title! Because of this, for me, I have become somewhat jaded by what ends up feeling like rehashed storylines or authors trying to force their style into a genre that they were not prepared to write in. (see The Lost Girls of Paris) Because of this, I have shied away from this genre for a few years.Recently, The Alice Network came highly recommended by my wife and Father-In-Law. 99.9% of the time I have been able to confidently trust their judgement of books so I figured I would give it a try and hopefully cleanse my palate of other books from this genre that did not stack up. Was it good? Am I glad I read it? Is my faith in WWI/WWII historical fiction centered around female protagonists restored? Yes, yes, and yes!The Alice network was great – I was riveted, never bored, and never wanted to stop reading. The stories of the two main female characters were told in different time periods of the early to mid-20th century but flowed and meshed together perfectly so as to become intertwined into one main story by the end. The writing was great, and the characters were interesting. There was some romance, but not too heavy, sappy, or cheesy for my tastes. I cannot say for sure how accurate the historical details were, but they seemed very well researched and were delivered with believability.Oh, and another important aspect to let you know about. If you have read my reviews before you know that I love truly despicable bad guys (see East of Eden). This book has one so slimy and awful and who does such mind-blowingly terrible things to one of our protagonists, I loved to hate him! If you enjoy feeling really good about cheering against the really bad, this is a perfect book for you.The Alice Network book definitely worth giving a try if you are a historical fiction fan. If you, like me, have been jaded with this genre, this may just be the perfect title to get you out of your funk.

For 2023, I’ve committed to reading some of my own books I own, instead of going for the shiny new one the library has. Quinn has become my travelling companion. Loved the Diamond eye which I read in France last year. Now I have dusted off this one and she is joining me on the beaches of st.Lucia.This is a twofer. It is historically paralleled - first Great War (1915) and end of WWll (1949) with Eve being in both. A British spy in the first war and the trauma she suffered to the present day (1949) where she has been asked by a young girl to help locate her missing cousin. Revisiting the locations years later, jars Eve’s memory into sharp focus and the years sacrificed being a spy.This was fascinating. The Alice Network being a group of women spies. Trained to bring intel to the Brit’s. Historical buffs will love this one as it is based on some truths. It was intense at times, brutal even. Themes of early pregnancy, trust, grief, shame. And most significantly, the role women played during both wars. 4⭐️

4.5 rounded to 5 starsOver the last few months, I can’t seem to get enough of these World War I and II historical fiction novels. Almost every one I have read has been such high quality, and this one is no exception.As is often the case in these stories, there are two timelines (1915-1916 and mostly 1947). I found myself equally engrossed in both. Eve Gardiner features prominently in both eras. For much of the book I found it difficult to reconcile the Eve during WWI with the post-WWII Eve. They seem like different people. The two images do eventually merge as we come to understand how the transformation occurred. This created a little confusion for me early on, but was not a huge determent to my enjoyment of the story. The book is also a little long. Otherwise, I thought it was superb.Make sure you read the riveting Author’s Notes at the end. I was surprised and delighted to see that much of the story is based in truth. The research that went into writing this book is immense, and the author deserves so much credit for that. We get everything in this novel: fascinating characters, gripping storylines, high suspense, further insights into WWI, and a bit of romance. I especially loved learning more about the French Resistance spy network during WWI, in particular the real Alice Network headed by a woman (code name Alice Dubois). This is a rich and absorbing read highlighted by outstanding writing. I found myself caring a great deal for the characters, flawed as they are. I highly recommend The Alice Network to all those interested in historical fiction set in or around the time of the World Wars. I look forward to Ms. Quinn’s next book, The Huntress.

Traveling Sister Group read with Brenda, Susanne, Lindsay and JanBI found this book to be a very interesting and fascinating read that was quite enjoyable although there was some issues that I had with the authors portrayal of one of the characters. I so enjoyed learning about the remarkable women of the Alice Network and really appreciated that there was some truth to this story. Would recommend!The full Traveling Sisters Review can be found on our sister blog:http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...

“Are you ever afraid?”“Yes, just like everybody else. But only after the danger is done—before that, fear is an indulgence. Welcome to the Alice Network.” Based on real characters and events, The Alice Network is a historical novel about two women who meet in 1947. Eve had been a spy in World War I. Charlie is a pregnant American in search of her cousin, Rose. Everyone assumes Rose died during WWII, but Charlie wants proof, which leads her to Eve.The story weaves back and forth between 1915 and 1947. Eve was a talented spy because she kept her ability to speak German a secret. Also, she has a stutter, so everyone assumes she’s dull witted, an advantage when you’re trying to learn enemy secrets. Both Eve and Charlie are likable women, although when Charlies meets Eve, Eve drinks whiskey for most of her meals and is a little bit crazy. It’s an admirable, fast-paced novel about two women facing challenges and discrimination because of their gender. Highly recommend. For more of my reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog

Books set during WW2 are my favourite type of books to read and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Not once was there a time when I felt the book to be slow. I felt for these characters and what they went through and when I read the Author's Note and found that it was based on true events, I loved the book that much more!