Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein

[sophia_sol]

I've been on and off for years about whether to read this book, because I've heard that it's really amazing but also that it's a hell of a read, emotionally speaking. But recently I was encouraged to read it, so I gave it a try, and both things are indeed true about it, and in my opinion it is worth it! You know how it is, I sobbed wholeheartedly for the last 50 pages of the book because I cared SO MUCH and it got me SO BAD.

Code Name Verity is a work of historical fiction set in WWII featuring two young women who are best friends, working on the side of the Allies, one as a pilot and the other as a spy. I loved Maddie and Julie SO MUCH, and they love each other so much too, and war really really sucks!!

I absolutely did look up spoilers before going in, so that I could brace myself for what would be coming, and I'm glad I did. I think it would be an even harder read without that knowledge!

Anyway it's a brilliant book and I highly recommend it, as long as you are ready to be punched in the gut by feelings!

Comments

[lirazel]

I don't know anyone who doesn't spend the last 50 pages just sobbing their eyes out! I don't think I've ever cried as much reading any book. It's one of those that reminds me that I don't have to have a happy ending so long as the ending is right.

Anyway, I'm so glad you loved it! It's a forever favorite of mine.

[sophia_sol]

yeah, a right ending is the most important thing for a story! Though I'm not always in a place where I have the emotional energy to sob for 50 pages, lol, so I do have to be careful about when I read a book like this! But it's SUCH a good book, and the ending is exactly the right ending for it.

[lirazel]

I may have mentioned this already, but I read it for the first time driving with my family down to Florida. I was in the back seat of my parents' car, sitting beside my sister, crying my eyes out, and my dad kept going, "Is it a good book, Lauren? Is it a good book?"

Not the ideal way to read that book...

[sophia_sol]

oh no, what an awkward context to read a book like that!

I did once read a sobbing-my-eyes-out book in my workplace lunchroom, but thankfully nobody else was in the room at the time - though I know sounds carried well in that building so I'm sure people heard me anyway.....

anyway I read Verity at night alone in my bedroom, which was ideal I think

[lirazel]

I did once read a sobbing-my-eyes-out book in my workplace lunchroom, but thankfully nobody else was in the room at the time - though I know sounds carried well in that building so I'm sure people heard me anyway.....

Oh no! Haha! (Do you remember what book it was? I'm always curious about the ones that make people cry!)

That was definitely ideal!

[sophia_sol]

Oh yes, the book was The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliff! Super good book, well worth the read, definitely wish I'd brought a different book to work with me that day, lol!

[lirazel]

Oh, I haven't read that one yet! I need to!

[sophia_sol]

It was amazing! I'd definitely rank it among Sutcliff's best. And interestingly the crying was like....cathartic happy-sobbing that the ending managed to be a little bit hopeful after the bleakness of the rest of the book?

[oracne]

I managed to make it several years without spoilers and wow was it a punch. But a good punch.

[sophia_sol]

nicely done avoiding the spoilers! It really is a heck of a thing to read.

[forestofglory]

I love that book! I'm glad you decided to read it!

[sophia_sol]

Yes, it's so good!!!!!!!