"The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Call Number: FICTION Quinn
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.

Character Development: How do the characters of Eve and Charlie evolve throughout the novel? What drives their personal growth, and how do their experiences shape their identities?
Female Empowerment: Discuss the theme of female empowerment in "The Alice Network." How do Eve and Charlie defy societal expectations and gender norms to assert their independence and agency?
Historical Context: Explore the historical backdrop of the novel, including the portrayal of World War I and the aftermath of the conflict. How does the author depict the impact of war on individuals and societies, particularly through the experiences of Eve and Charlie?
The Alice Network: Analyze the significance of the Alice Network and its role in the war effort. How does the network empower women and challenge traditional notions of femininity and heroism?
Friendship and Loyalty: Examine the friendship that develops between Eve and Charlie. What bonds them together, and how do their differences strengthen their connection? How do themes of loyalty and betrayal manifest in their relationship?
Secrets and Betrayal: Secrets and betrayal are central themes in the novel. Discuss how secrets shape the characters' actions and relationships, and how betrayal affects trust and loyalty among the characters.
Redemption and Forgiveness: Consider the themes of redemption and forgiveness as they relate to Eve's past actions and Charlie's quest for the truth. How do the characters grapple with their past mistakes, and do they find redemption by the end of the novel?
Narrative Structure: The novel alternates between Eve's story in 1915 and Charlie's story in 1947. How does this dual timeline enhance the narrative? What parallels and contrasts can be drawn between the two timelines?
Gender Roles and Expectations: Explore the portrayal of gender roles and expectations in the early 20th century, both in wartime and post-war society. How do Eve and Charlie challenge or conform to these expectations?
Legacy of War: Discuss the long-lasting effects of war on individuals and societies, as depicted in the novel. How do Eve and Charlie grapple with the trauma and scars of war, and what does their journey reveal about resilience and healing?
Morality and Ethics: The novel raises ethical questions about espionage, resistance, and the sacrifices made in the name of patriotism. Discuss the moral dilemmas faced by characters like Eve and Finn, and how they navigate the complexities of right and wrong in wartime.
Love and Sacrifice: Love and sacrifice are recurring themes in the novel. How do romantic relationships, such as Eve's relationship with René and Charlie's relationship with Finn, intersect with themes of duty, honor, and sacrifice?

Early Life and Education: Kate Quinn was born in Southern California and grew up loving history, particularly ancient Rome. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Classical Voice from Boston University and a Master's degree in Classical Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music. Her early interest in history and her academic background laid the foundation for her future career as a historical fiction writer.

Literary Career: After working as a singer and a writer in the fields of opera and classical music, Kate Quinn transitioned to writing historical fiction. She made her literary debut in 2010 with the publication of "Mistress of Rome," the first book in her Empress of Rome series. The series, which includes "Daughters of Rome" and "Empress of the Seven Hills," explores the lives of women in ancient Rome.

Quinn gained wider recognition with the publication of "The Alice Network" in 2017. The novel, inspired by the true story of a female spy network during World War I, received critical acclaim and became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. It was followed by "The Huntress" (2019), another historical fiction novel set during and after World War II.

In 2021, Quinn released "The Rose Code," a novel centered around the female codebreakers of Bletchley Park during World War II. Like her previous works, "The Rose Code" received positive reviews and became a bestseller.

Writing Style and Themes: Kate Quinn is known for her meticulously researched historical fiction novels that center around strong female characters and untold stories from history. Her writing often explores themes of resilience, friendship, love, and the impact of war on individuals and society.

Personal Life: Kate Quinn currently resides in San Diego, California, with her husband and two children. She continues to write historical fiction novels and is active on social media, engaging with her readers and sharing insights into her writing process.

Kate Quinn's work has garnered a loyal readership and critical acclaim for its vivid storytelling, well-drawn characters, and immersive historical detail. She remains a prominent figure in the genre of historical fiction, captivating readers with her compelling narratives inspired by real historical events and figures.

The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
Call Number: FICTION Clayton
Wealthy, beautiful Naneé was born with a spirit of adventure that transcends her Midwestern roots. For her, learning to fly is freedom. When German tanks roll across the border and into Paris, this woman with an adorable dog and a generous heart joins the resistance. Known as the Postmistress because she delivers information to those in hiding, Naneé uses her charms and skill to house the hunted and deliver them to safety.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Call Number: FICTION Hannah
Viann and Isabelle have always been close despite their differences. Younger, bolder sister Isabelle lives in Paris while Viann lives a quiet and content life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. When World War II strikes and Antoine is sent off to fight, Viann and Isabelle's father sends Isabelle to help her older sister cope. As the war progresses, it's not only the sisters' relationship that is tested, but also their strength and their individual senses of right and wrong. With life as they know it changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Viann and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.

*ebook & audiobook on Libby
*audiobook on hoopla
The German House by Annette Hess; Elisabeth Lauffer (Translator)
Call Number: FICTION Hess
Set against the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963, Annette Hess's international bestseller is a harrowing yet ultimately uplifting coming-of-age story about a young female translator--caught between societal and familial expectations and her unique ability to speak truth to power--as she fights to expose the dark truths of her nation's past. If everything your family told you was a lie, how far would you go to uncover the truth. For twenty-four-year-old Eva Bruhns, World War II is a foggy childhood memory. At the war's end, Frankfurt was a smoldering ruin, severely damaged by the Allied bombings. But that was two decades ago. Now it is 1963, and the city's streets, once cratered are smooth and paved. Shiny new stores replace scorched rubble. Eager for her wealthy suitor, Jürgen Schoormann, to propose, Eva dreams of starting a new life away from her parents and sister. But Eva's plans are turned upside down when a fiery investigator, David Miller, hires her as a translator for a war crimes trial. As she becomes more deeply involved in the Frankfurt Trials, Eva begins to question her family's silence on the war and her future. Why do her parents refuse to talk about what happened? What are they hiding? Does she really love Jürgen and will she be happy as a housewife? Though it means going against the wishes of her family and her lover, Eva, propelled by her own conscience , joins a team of fiery prosecutors determined to bring the Nazis to justice--a decision that will help change the present and the past of her nation.
The London House by Katherine Reay
Call Number: FICTION Reay
Caroline Payne thinks it's just another day of work until she receives a call from Mat Hammond, an old college friend and historian, but Mat has uncovered a scandalous secret kept buried for decades: In World War II, Caroline's British great-aunt betrayed family and country to marry her German lover. Determined to find answers and save her family's reputation, Caroline flies to her family's ancestral home in London. She and Mat discover diaries and letters that reveal her grandmother and great-aunt were known as the "Waite sisters." Popular and witty, they came of age during the interwar years, a time of peace and luxury filled with dances, jazz clubs, and romance. The buoyant tone of the correspondence soon yields to sadder revelations as the sisters grow apart, and one leaves home for the glittering fashion scene of Paris, despite rumblings of a coming world war. Each letter brings more questions. Was Caroline's great-aunt actually a traitor and Nazi collaborator, or is there a more complex truth buried in the past Together, Caroline and Mat uncover stories of spies and secrets, love and heartbreak, and the events of one fateful evening in 1941 that changed everything. In this rich historical novel from award-winning author Katherine Reay, a young woman is tasked with writing the next chapter of her family's story. But Caroline must choose whether to embrace a love of her own and proceed with caution if her family's decades-old wounds are to heal without tearing them even further apart.
All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams; Lauren Willig; Karen White
Call Number: FICTION Williams
France, 1914. As war breaks out, Aurelie becomes trapped on the wrong side of the front with her father, Comte Sigismund de Courcelles. When the Germans move into their family's ancestral estate, using it as their headquarters, Aurelie discovers she knows the German Major's aide de camp, Maximilian Von Sternburg. She and the dashing young officer first met during Aurelie's debutante days in Paris. Despite their conflicting loyalties, Aurelie and Max's friendship soon deepens into love, but betrayal will shatter them both, driving Aurelie back to Paris and the Ritz-- the home of her estranged American heiress mother, with unexpected consequences. France, 1942. Raised by her indomitable, free-spirited American grandmother in the glamorous Hotel Ritz, Marguerite "Daisy" Villon remains in Paris with her daughter and husband, a Nazi collaborator, after France falls to Hitler. At first reluctant to put herself and her family at risk to assist her grandmother's Resistance efforts, Daisy agrees to act as a courier for a skilled English forger known only as Legrand, who creates identity papers for Resistance members and Jewish refugees. But as Daisy is drawn ever deeper into Legrand's underground network, committing increasingly audacious acts of resistance for the sake of the country--and the man--she holds dear, she uncovers a devastating secret . . . one that will force her to commit the ultimate betrayal, and to confront at last the shocking circumstances of her own family history. France, 1964. For Barbara "Babs" Langford, her husband, Kit, was the love of her life. Yet their marriage was haunted by a mysterious woman known only as La Fleur. On Kit's death, American lawyer Andrew "Drew" Bowdoin appears at her door. Hired to find a Resistance fighter turned traitor known as "La Fleur," the investigation has led to Kit Langford. Curious to know more about the enigmatic La Fleur, Babs joins Drew in his search, a journey of discovery that that takes them to Paris and the Ritz--and to unexpected places of the heart. . . .

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn

"The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn

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