Code Name Verity is about a secret agent given the task of destroying a Nazi Headquarters building deep in occupied France. Her best friend, Maddie, was a pilot and was the one who flew her into France. Unfortunately, they took antiaircraft fire and Verity was told to bail out. She later became imprisoned in the very place she was set out to destroy. Verity’s real name is Lady Julia Lindsay Mackenzie Wallace Beaufort-Stuart but, she goes by Queenie too. She is originally from Scotland and she grew up in Castle Craig. She deviates from the traditional stereotypes of women; she is strong willed and very outspoken. She is very intelligent and good at what she does. She is able to manipulate her captors into allowing her to stay longer at the German HQ, postponing her transfer to the concentration camps where she would most likely meet her death. She narrators the first part of the story confessing that she is a coward and a Judas. However, her actions say otherwise. She often fights back against her captors and tries to escape every chance she gets.
The novel immediately places the reader into Queenie’s situation. “After the ridiculous deal I made with SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden, I know I am a coward” she explains. Von Linden his her captor during her time spent at the hotel prison, Château de Bordeaux. She compares him to Captain Hook, “he is rather an upright sort of gentleman in spite of his being a brute.” For information he rewards her by giving her things like articles of her own clothing. Basically, as long as she writes, she stays alive.
This historical fiction novel was particularly interesting because, it focused entirely around two strong females and the bond they share with one another without the slightest hint of any romance with a male figure. World War II novels also typically have male protagonists, especially when the characters are in the military. Maddie was even a pilot, which was a rare role for a female back then. Although, someone may not relate to what these characters are going through, Elizabeth Wein does a great job of putting the reader into their shoes. She allows them to experience two different point of views. One being held captive in a Gestapo Headquarters and another fighting for her best friends life. The terror these two young women faced became very real.
The dominant theme of the novel is the fight for survival. Queenie describes the atrocities she has to go through including, torture, humiliation, and desperation. She does everything she can to stay alive. Her experiences portray what cruelties of war humans sometimes have to endure. Queenie goes into detail about some of these cruelties. Whether it be sleep deprivation, hours on end of darkness, starvation, or even physical violence. She explains however, that humiliation can be the worst of all with her statement, “The warmth and dignity of my flannel shirt and woolly sweater are worth far more to me now than patriotism or integrity.”
The characters and theme of this novel definitely fit under the historical fiction genre. However, it included the other five crucial elements, as well. The setting, plot, dialogue, and conflict were all readily apparent. Although, the world building aspect of Code Name Verity really immerses the reader into the story. Queenie and Maddie face many hardships during this time of war and Elizabeth Wein does an excellent job of demonstrating the desperation and hopelessness they feel.
The historical fiction genre is typically one of the least popular among young adults. This novel’s excitement and suspense however, is sure to keep the reader’s interest.
References:
Ingall, M. (2012, May 11). The Pilot and the Spy. The New York Times.
Wein, E. (2012). Code Name Verity. New York: Hyperion.