Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Audiobook Review: Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Title: Rose Under Fire
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Code Name Verity #2
Publication Date: 6th June 2012
Time: 10hrs 7mins
Narrator: Morven Christie, Lucy Gaskell
Book Source: Own audio

Synopsis: Rose Justice is a young pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. On her way back from a semi-secret flight in the waning days of the war, Rose is captured by the Germans and ends up in Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi women's concentration camp. There, she meets an unforgettable group of women, including a once glamorous and celebrated French detective novelist whose Jewish husband and three young sons have been killed; a resilient young girl who was a human guinea pig for Nazi doctors trying to learn how to treat German war wounds; and a Nachthexen, or Night Witch, a female fighter pilot and military ace for the Soviet air force.

These damaged women must bond together to help each other survive. In this companion volume to the critically acclaimed novel Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein continues to explore themes of friendship and loyalty, right and wrong, and unwavering bravery in the face of indescribable evil. 

My Thoughts:
Rose Under Fire is a companion novel to Code Name Verity which I listened to last year and loved! You wouldn't be lost reading Rose Under Fire as a standalone but in order to get the very most from the experience I'd suggest reading Code Name Verity first. There's a crossover of characters and Rose Under Fire takes place shortly after Code Name Verity finishes. I thought Rose Under Fire was a simpler narrative to follow, it didn't have the same head-spin twist of Code Name Verity but both pack an emotional wallop.

Rose Under Fire is the story of Rose Justice, a young American Air Transport Auxillary pilot captured by the Germans and imprisoned in Ravensbrück. I liked that the focus in Ravensbrück was the political prisoners and Rose's experience 'adopted' by the Rabbits, the young Polish girls and women brutally experimented on and mutilated by Nazi doctors. The unspeakable horror they endured was difficult to listen to, I kept having to stop to breathe. a

But it's not the horror that stays with you, it's the womens' character, their friendship and unfailing loyalty, every brave, funny, stinking, bitter, sarcastic, hopeful, terrifying, uplifting story shared. Humanity shines even in the most evil, dehumanising situations. 

Elizabeth Wein lists the 74 Polish women experimented on in Ravensbrück. This is a work of fiction but it's based on true accounts, in essence it is their story. 

Narrators Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell were for the most part brilliant (again.) I say for the most part ... I'm not sure who narrated Roza but at first her 'voice' made me wince. It was the shrillest make-your-ears-bleed pitch but strangely enough as her story progressed her voice grated less. I'm not sure whether this would have been any easier to read rather than listen to but Rose and the girls; Roza, Elodie, Karolina, Irina, Lisette and Anna came to life and it tore my heart out. 

I wonder sometimes whether generations to follow will feel distant or removed from these atrocities and then the truth hits, we haven't actually come that far. Amongst others, as the genocide of West Papuans by Indonesian military unfolds, it makes me weep. We seem to have learnt nothing.

Grab the tissues and pepare to be put through the wringer. 

Connect with Elizabeth Wein






21 comments:

  1. I've heard really good things about both this book and Code Name Verity. I want to read them, but would have to be in the right mood.

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    1. Absolutely Kay, stories like this take it out of you. But it's oh so worth it!

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  2. Oh book 2! I still got book 1 to listen to

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    1. What are you waiting for B lol. CNV did my head in (in a good way) ... this one was easier to follow.

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  3. Sounds really good, I think I will get this one for my sister and Code Name Verity, she likes books like this. Yes it seems the world learns nothing, so much killing in so many places.

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    1. I think your sister will 'enjoy' them Kathryn. Did she end up reading The Nightingale, I know you loved it so I'm sure you'd like these too :)

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    2. She just phoned me to say she loved The Nightingale, so I suggested Cody Verity. She is off to hospital for an op and weeks off her feet so just organising audio for her. I say to her are you sure you have listened to such and such. (Not sure of her eyesight!) She has serious health issues and not sure what she can see or not see, which is why audio is good. She has a genetic cancer and motor neuron disease so has lots to contend with. Anyway we have differing reading tastes generally! Whe isn't a romance reader! Just sifting through your listens to see what I can suggest to her. Code Verity I'll organise right now!

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  4. I'm glad to see you liked this one. I've been wanting to check out Elizabeth Wein's books because they sound amazing.
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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    1. If you get a chance to pick them up Krystianna read Code Name Verity first. Hope you enjoy!

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  5. Wow wow wow!! This sounds AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. get the tissues Julie, I know you'd like this one!!

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  6. Great review! As I'm a newbie to the world of audiobooks, I'm not sure I would choose one this intense and heart-wrenching to listen to right now. Maybe reading the print of it would get me through the difficult scenes better.

    Thanks for an honest and informative review. I've had so many people recommend these to me and I thought they were YA books but they seem to be very much cross-over books for adults who don't read YA also. Going on my to-look-out-for wishlist.

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    1. Hope you get around to these one day Rita, I don't read much YA historical fiction, usually find it a bit light on if you know what I mean but that is far from the case with these two from Elizabeth Wein. If I didn't already know I'd never have guessed they were YA :)

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  7. No, we haven't come far at all. :( I have Code Name Verity on my to-read list. I should really get to it.

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    1. It's very clever and intensely emotional Belle, hope you get to it soon.

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  8. Fantastic review! I'm not sure I could handle listening to the audio version especially since I listen to audio books while driving. The book is a very powerful and emotional story but I also learned a lot from reading it. I agree that it is best to read this after Code Name Verity.

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    1. Yeah driving with tears rolling down your face is not good lol. Did you like one more than the other Christina?

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    2. I think I liked them both equally. Code Name Verity had an unexpected twist and the method of telling the story wasn't so straightforward like Rose Under Fire.

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  9. Looking forward to this one on audio. Since I had a hard time getting into Code Name Verity in print, but was immediately drawn in with the audio, I am going to the audio route for Rose. Great review.

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    1. can't wait to see what you think Nise, prepare yourself for Roza's voice lol

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  10. I need to revisit this series, I wasn't in the mood when I began Code Verify but wow your thoughts have me rethinking it!

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