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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
"Man, this is way better than that Metallica video."
Kidding. A piece of explicitly anti-war propaganda, I found it more engaging as an author's interpretation of what life would be like devoid of all senses but touch. You find yourself frustrated when the protagonist's attempts to communicate are frustrated, and excited when there is a breakthrough.
Enjoyable, a bit rambling at times (obviously on purpose, as a man who had such difficulty distinguishing consciousness from unconsciousness, minute from minute must ramble), and an easy read.
Kidding. A piece of explicitly anti-war propaganda, I found it more engaging as an author's interpretation of what life would be like devoid of all senses but touch. You find yourself frustrated when the protagonist's attempts to communicate are frustrated, and excited when there is a breakthrough.
Enjoyable, a bit rambling at times (obviously on purpose, as a man who had such difficulty distinguishing consciousness from unconsciousness, minute from minute must ramble), and an easy read.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I first read this book when I was fairly young and I think I was a bit too young to really get much out of it beyond that it was a slightly confusing read. I appreciated this book much more this time around.
The book alternates between memories and the present with dream/waking-like flow. Joe is initially unaware of the full extent of his injuries. He gradually figures out how badly injured he is and we learn with him as he figures out how to even track time and people. Eventually, Joe even figures out a way to communicate.
This book is written in very straightforward language but has periods of run on sentences and stream-of-consciousness ramblings. This works as it portrays the character's periods of panic and anxiety.
This book also has passages of extreme eloquence. And the final 30-40 pages were excellent.
This book is a brutal look at the costs of war which are almost always paid by the little people who fight in them and not by the people who create war. A scathing indictment of the war-for-profit mentality that has dominated the last 100+ years.
The book alternates between memories and the present with dream/waking-like flow. Joe is initially unaware of the full extent of his injuries. He gradually figures out how badly injured he is and we learn with him as he figures out how to even track time and people. Eventually, Joe even figures out a way to communicate.
This book is written in very straightforward language but has periods of run on sentences and stream-of-consciousness ramblings. This works as it portrays the character's periods of panic and anxiety.
This book also has passages of extreme eloquence. And the final 30-40 pages were excellent.
This book is a brutal look at the costs of war which are almost always paid by the little people who fight in them and not by the people who create war. A scathing indictment of the war-for-profit mentality that has dominated the last 100+ years.
Fantastic book, but written in a totally scattered way. I loved it, because it fit my pre-AP fried brain perfectly. :)
I don't remember this book from High School, although my guess is I read it back then. It is a seminal book about War and its horrors, viewed through the lens of its main character, Joe Bonham. Interestingly, there are almost no descriptions of the actual war scenes. Instead, we move back and forth between wonderful memories of Joe's past and the horror of Joe's reality. This contrast is bitter sweet - the past memories are well written and lively, and give us a warm regard for Joe. His current reality is excruciating - a grown man stuck in a very limited body with almost no means of communications.
Joe's yearning for a way to communicate is heart-warming and a lesson in perseverance. In the end, however, the Masters of War have the upper hand.
Joe's yearning for a way to communicate is heart-warming and a lesson in perseverance. In the end, however, the Masters of War have the upper hand.
Wow, just wow! This book is an emotional roller coaster. So much truth, so much suffering but strangely in all this, there is some moments that shows human perseverance and finding joy in the little things. An inspired piece of literature, and a must read.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very sad, but beautifully written. The style of the writing is indicative of a scattered thought process. Wonderful book that everyone should read.
This is probably the most powerful book I've ever read. The premise is absolutely terrifying in of itself. I wish I had taken more time to really absorb the message and the narrative of this book. The last two chapters really had me in awe of the state of the world and solidified my view that war is absolutely unnecessary especially when the men who wage the war never see the atrocities that war creates.