BOOK REVIEW #THE CODE BREAKER GIRL #GOSIA NEALON #WORLD WAR 2 #HISTORICAL FICTION #BOOKOUTURE PUBLISHERS

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

This novel by Gosia Nealon digs deep into some great true historical events during the World War 2 which is a page turner every historical fiction readers must consider about pondering. 

The story follows an Orphan girl Beata, a brilliant and determined young woman who defies the odds as the first female graduate of her university. Her ambition to join the Cipher Bureau and crack the Enigma code represents not just a personal triumph but a crucial effort to protect her country from impending doom. As the Nazis decided to attack her country Poland and when her orphanage is bombed, Beata’s mission becomes ever more perilous, and her resolve is tested in ways she could never have imagined. 

It was unexpected to learn from this book that despite their best efforts, the Americans, British, and French were unable to crack the Enigma code. But one nation, desperate to keep an eye on German confidential communication, succeeded in significant ways. It was Poland during this time. The principal code breakers Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki, and Henryk Zygalski were among them. In a matter of weeks, Rejewski became the first to crack the Enigma code. His accomplishment was a result of his superb mathematical training, fluency in German, remarkable intuition, successful completion of a cryptology course, and intelligence information obtained from the French Secret Service. As early as 1932, the first communications were decrypted. 

The novel takes a turn when Beata flees from Warsaw to Paris leaving behind Harry an agent who interests her with his sparkling eyes. And as the German troops are soon to take the Paris city by Air Bombardments her mission is to leave Paris and continue to break codes and decrypted messages with the three others so that they could escape from the troops. It was the plan of Germany to knock down most of Warsaw and create a modern city where only Germans can live and remaining poles will be slave. 

Beata along with the three genius mathematicians fled Poland and later joined the French cryptographers in France. The knowledge they had provided considerably contributed to the cracking of the more complicated wartime Enigma codes used by the Germans. This happened at Bletchley Park. The breaking of Enigma had a significant impact on the course of the Second World War. It is believed that it shortened the war by two years and saved countless lives. 

At the end of the novel, Beata ends up in a German Death Camp in Poland to witness and experiences the atrocities of the German SS Officers. But, Beata's courage and strength and her love for her country Poland makes this novel even more interesting to read for History loving readers. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

Book Description

1930s, Poland. We hold our breath as the gears turn, waiting to see if years of work have paid off. The operator looks at me with tears in his eyes. He nods his head. We’ve done it. The code has been broken. But with war brewing, will it be enough to save us?

After graduating as the first and only woman on her university course, orphan Beata is set on joining the Cipher Bureau. She’s determined to save her country from invasion by cracking the Enigma code. But, as gunfire rings across the rooftops of her hometown and Nazi boots sound on the cobblestones, Beata and her team are forced to work in secret.

Meeting with underground British intelligence, Beata catches the bright, sparkling eyes of one of the agents, Harry. His excitement about Enigma and how vital it is for all their futures makes her more determined than ever to do what’s right. But with the war destroying everything she holds dear and tearing them in different directions, their only hope is to reunite at the home of British codebreakers: Bletchley Park.

Carrying the final key to the Enigma code, and with the Nazis close on her tail, can Beata keep the secrets she holds safe and turn the tide of the war? And will she ever see Harry again?

326 pages

First published August 8, 2024