The Rose Code

As one of the novel’s three protagonists, Osla Kendall is a dark haired, dimpled debutante loosely based on the historical figure Osla Benning. Blessed with a wry sense of humor, Osla enjoys writing satirical prose. Excerpts from her weekly “Bletchley Bletherings” appear at the headings of many chapters, and they provide insight not only into events at BP but also into Osla’s cheeky, intrepid personality. Coming from a high-class background, Osla is used to getting her way, and she is not afraid to take initiative, as when she calls out BP’s commander for what she perceives as lax security. Her confidence, however, masks underlying insecurity about the way she is perceived as a silly socialite. By the end of the novel, when she can look back on a string of accomplishments, she realizes that she “had proved herself to everyone who mattered” (612).

In addition to overcoming her insecurities, Osla’s arc centers on her search for home. At first, Osla feels that she lacks a proper home; her father is dead, and her mother is a frequently remarried socialite who has little time for Osla. For a while, she imagines that she might find home in a romantic relationship: when she meets Philip on leave at the train station, he comments, “I’m not just back.