Jennie Rooney

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,

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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.… (más)

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.… (más)