Allexa Bonner Essays (472 words) - Epistolary Novels,

Allexa Bonner English 3745 Response #10 11/2/2015 Code Name Verity While I think Code Name Verity would appeal more readily to an adult audience it is, at its core, a tale for young adults. Not only is it an informative and fascinating description of the roles many women were given during WW II, it is the exploration of the strength and importance of the human spirit to withstand the most extreme of circumstances for those you love. This is a young adult novel built around female power and friendship. Through Queenie's writingsfirst on hotel stationery, then desperate scrawls on the prescription forms of a Jewish doctor, and on recipe cardswe are shown the thriving friendship of two girls. Queenie is the aristocrat with pretty nails that knows nothing of planes and has no sense of direction; she is headstrong and resilient to the end. Maddie , on the other-hand, is a commoner with an extensive knowledge and love for flying and mechanics; she is fierce, ethical, and loyal. "It's like being in love, discovering your best friend" ( 68). These two were meant to complement one another, and together they make the perfect team. They are what make Code Name Verity a young adult novel; they are the embodiment of loyalty, love, and bravery. The second part changes to Maddie 's point of view after her plane has crashed behind enemy lines. This is when we see that Queenie 's story has been more than truthful and their admiration for one another is very real. They realest lov e for a friend is the only thing that helps Maddie survive her time surrounded by danger. Likewise, Queenie rather casually reveals incidents of her torture during interrogation s --a system that conveys the horror , fear, and cruelty she faces wi thout the explicit details as long as she can remember Maddie within its pages. Of course this novel is an oddity within its genre. Given its environment it is quite serious, violent, and deadlyall of which could make it too disturbing for a young audience. Also, there is no dreamy romantic aspect , which is somehow required for a YA novel. Instead, Code Name Verity is about female camaraderie . It isn't just about romantic love. Maddie and Queenie, instantly click and become best friends. Maddie admires Queenie's daring personality and Queenie sees Maddie as an artist that undercuts the ugliness of war. The characteristics of a young adult novel are still present even though the characters are in their early twenties. The language is also relative to that of a young adult. It is simple and fairly humorous. I feel like this is why Code Name Verity is marked as a YA novelit's familiarity and intricate simplicity. Work Cited Wein , Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. New York: Hyperion. 2012. Print.