Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - In Memoriam

Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

95 reviews

lealula's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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bryony_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

This was one hell of a novel. It evoked such visceral emotions and masterfully explores some intense and brutal themes. I’m just in awe at such a work.

I found it deeply moving and really quite profound at times. Winn paints such a vivid portrait of these young men and their relationship, set against this backdrop of a bloody and senseless war.

What I think also demonstrates her talent as an author is also being able to bring some moments of humour into her writing- the humour of the men, having endless copies of the same book to read over and over. To go from that and the tenderness of their burgeoning love, to the horrors of trench warfare and the brutal PTSD and mental trauma experienced with such finesse is inspiring.
I have so many thoughts about this book and I suspect one I’ll keep thinking about for some time. It probably goes without saying it made me cry.

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kiwialexa's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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lc_27's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Cannot stop thinking about this book and the characters. So good. I can't put into words how much I love it!

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whatnovareads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Oof [hand on chest & deep exhale] ❤️‍🩹

When I started reading In Memoriam, I never thought I would stay up until the early hours of the morning to finish reading it- for me that's a huge deal! This is heartbreaking, harrowing, beautiful and epic.

I learnt so much about boys' public schools, conscription (and white feathers), the hierarchy of officers during war (and how unjustly titles were allocated) and the brutalities of the First World War - even poetry.

I regularly forgot how young the soldiers were. The atrocities of war forced them to grow up quickly, oftentimes i imagined the main characters as grown men but was reminded they were teenagers and the gut punch worsened when i read the Roll of Honour in the Preshutian. These were school boys going to war, lambs to the slaughter.

I was keen to know how the love story between Gaunt and Ellwood would develop, would they "make it" or not? What can I say?

I love true love, I love enduring love.

I usually find a good quote from the book to summarise the main theme but in this instance there are too many. The writing is simply beautiful- elegant. I can’t believe this is a debut novel! I would encourage everyone who reads this book to also read the Author’s Note - it’s fascinating.

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