Reviews

one page it feels like a 5 star read, then the next it feels like a 1. its a revolutionary book for its time, but an awfully boring read & i just cant be bothered reading books i dont enjoy fully

utteringjoyousleaves's review

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challenging emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

this was good! that pretty much sums up my feelings on it. i really enjoyed the fact that it was written in 1917, i didn’t know there was gay lit that old! i think they did a very good job of characterizing the gay and lesbian characters in this book. this is the first novel from this time period i’ve seen with lesbians, and it honest to god made my day. also enjoyed the anti-war message of course
required listening: game shows touch our lives by the mountain goats

oliveanareads's review

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challenging dark informative sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

elj_ne's review

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5.0

A really great, readable classic. The author makes a great case for pacifism within a beautifully written novel about the onset of the first World War (the fact this was published in 1918 and the characters are arguing the war will not end all wars but spawn worse ones!). The two main characters in particular are intriguing and well written, and though they’re both gay and kind of tragic, they’re no more tragic than the rest of the non-queer characters, who are all subject to the horrors of war somehow. Despite the tragic nature of the subject material, it never feels too gloomy and is infused with hope planted there by the characters who refuse to partake in the war effort. Definitely a new favourite.