Excellent dual timeline novel inspired by the life of Melitta Norwood. Full review on my blog here: http://annabookbel.net/20-books-of-summer-1-2-rooney-torday ( )

The story of Joan, who goes to Cambridge University in 1937, where she meets Russians Sonya and Leo. Once the war starts, Joan is posted to a secret research department working to develop the atomic bomb. The story is told in two alternating threads; Joan's life as a young woman and the "present" day (Joan is now in her 80s), when MI5 comes to arrest her for having been a Soviet spy. The novel is inspired by the real life case of Melita Norwood, although a Note at the end makes the many differences between Joan and Melita clear.

I found this novel compelling, although I didn't exactly enjoy it. Joan was quite hard to root for, not so much (as I had anticipated) because I couldn't relate to why she did what she did,

SPOILERS

but more because she didn't seem particularly clear herself what her motives had been. Was it shock over Hiroshima? Did she fear the Americans? Was it because Churchill didn't keep his word? Was it out of hero worship for Leo? She didn't seem to have any strong attachment to Russia as a country - she had never even been... I related strongly to the passage where her son Nick accuses her of arrogance in thinking it was down to her to try to right such "wrongs".

Joan was extremely naive in her dealings with Leo and Sonya (the latter was so obviously not to be trusted that it was hard to reconcile Joan's stupidity with her scientific expertise). Then suddenly, she sees the potential of the photo of Rupert and William and uses it deviously to gain her own ends.

The moment when Joan realizes her responsibility for what happened to Leo was extremely well done - worth a star on its own. Max was very lovely, although I had a bit of a shock when he forgave her so instantly for betraying him, his work, her department, her country and allowing him to be arrested and was willing to run off with her - he was definitely a keeper.

Thought provoking, but perhaps not entirely credible. ( )

Jennie Rooney's latest novel, Red Joan, tells the story of Joan Stanley, who, at the novel's outset, appears to be nothing more than an older woman making the most of her remaining years. But there is much more to Joan than meets the eye, and the truth about her past is about to catch up with her. Joan, who worked in a top-secret British research establishment during the Second World War, engaged in post-War treasonous activities that now, more than fifty years later, MI5 has finally uncovered.

Alternating between Joan's story in the modern-day, which focuses on her interactions with MI5 and with her grown son, and in WWII-era Britain, which showcases Joan's life during the War and immediately after it, Red Joan is an engaging story. Joan is well-drawn and the motivations behind her behaviour are clearly articulated. Given the nature of Joan's actions, however, she is not a character likely to elicit sympathy from readers. Nevertheless, readers should find Joan's story to be an interesting one. For me, one of the greatest strengths of this novel is that it illustrates how a woman such as Joan was able to engage in covert activities without getting caught (there were several times I asked myself how the authorities could be so blind), even when it was evident such activities were taking place within her small work unit.

Given the nature of this novel's plot, I found this a difficult review to write as I didn't want to inadvertently give away any important plot points by saying too much about the exact nature of Joan's actions. Keeping this in mind, I will say that I believe Red Joan will to appeal to historical fiction readers interested in the aftermath of WWII, as well as the start of the Cold War.

Note: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

I really enjoyed this. We meet Joan as an old lady, being interrogated by the security services about her activities in WWII and her Russian friends. The story shifts between the interrogations, her unwitting son's reaction to the questioning, and her memories of her Cambridge University days. At Cambridge she met two Russian cousins who had a great impact on her life and her political views, and when war breaks out she has to handle her views about her country, war and her confidential war work. I couldn't wait to put the whole story together so I was gripped to the last page. It reminded me a little of William Boyd's Restless (another good read) ( )

I really loved this one. It starts off slow but builds and by the end I was breathless. It's a spy story of sorts, or maybe a crime story, or maybe both. Joan is an elderly lady who is being interrogated about her role in the passing of sensitive nuclear information to the Soviets just after WW2. The narrative goes back and forth between the present tense of her interrogation and the past, and the real question throughout is why she did what she did. Was she a Communist true believer? Was she enamored of one and manipulated? What about her friend Sonya? What role did she play? And others? It's a tangled web for sure and Jennie Rooney spins out her secrets one by one. It's intense character-driven suspense. If you like Ben Macintyre's real-life spy stories read this, and read it anyway because it's a great novel. ( )