January is coming to a close, which means it’s time to discuss this month’s book club pick. Before I get to my thoughts on The Alice Network, I just want to say thank you to everyone for the support I’ve received this month since launching this book club. This is something I’ve thought about doing for so long, but kept postponing. I hope that we can continue to grow this community and share our love for the written word.
Now, my thoughts on The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. I was drawn to this story because a) it was historical fiction set during WWI and WWII b) the plot jumped between timelines and c) it was a story about women written by a woman. For the first page, I was instantly hooked and wanted to know more about the circumstances behind Charlie St. Clair’s pregnancy (one of the main heroines), and whether or not she would find her missing cousin Rose. I did not find that same connection to Eve immediately (especially given her introduction), but as her story unfolded, so did my attachment to her.
Though the details were more intense than I originally anticipated, each story was gripping and unpredictable. I read many reviews that stated that they enjoyed it, but didn’t like the ending. To some degree, I would agree. I was hoping for a different way for Eve’s conflict to be resolved, but I understand why Quinn ended it the way she did. I did enjoy the epilogue though. (I know I’m being vague here, but I don’t like to spoil the ending for those that haven’t read it yet — I’ll share more details when I discuss the book tonight during my Instagram live).
I said earlier that I love it when novels jump between multiple storylines, and it was still true (for the most part) with The Alice Network. I did like the mirroring between Eve and Charlie’s lives and how their experiences were similar, but also completely different, and that the switch between 1915 and 1947 from chapter to chapter demonstrated that. However, sometimes I just wanted more of one story than the other.
If you love historical fiction, especially about strong women during times of war (or dealing with the consequences of it), I believe you will enjoy The Alice Network. I will warn you though, that some of the scenes are violent and intense (one in particular, I couldn’t read and had to skip), but I believe that they were essential to the plot and the development of the characters. Overall, I give it a 4/5.
For those that did read with me, what did you think? Was The Alice Network what you were expecting? Was the ending what you expected or wanted?
Let me know what you thought in the comments, and join me tonight on Instagram live to discuss at 8:30 MST!
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