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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
i can honestly say i’ve never read anything like this. truly a unique experience.
“These men who died so gloriously. They shall not have died in vain. Our noble dead.
Hmmmm.
But what do the dead say?”
It has been almost a decade since I read this book back when I was a young angsty 8th grader who thought I was really mature for getting into films like A Clockwork Orange and Cannibal Holocaust and reading adult books like Mario Puzo's The Godfather and the book in review today, Dalton Trumbo's 1939 anti-war masterpiece Johnny Got His Gun. This was a book that always stuck with me, but at the time didn't leave too much of an impact or lasting legacy in my mind. But, nearly a decade later I have matured and understand completely the horrors of this book and my God is it horrific. To call this book bleak and hopeless is an understatement. There is so little hope, and so much hope taken away not only from protagonist Joe Bonham but for the audience as well, that it feels like you've lost something from reading this book, not gained.
This book is impeccable in showcasing one of the most depressingly realistic scenarios a veteran could find themselves in, albeit showcased to an extremity, but nonetheless showcasing how little regard or care injured veterans receive. It creates such an unsettling and uncomfortable environment that you want nothing more than to help Joe and euthanize him yourself, but Trumbo forces the audience and Joe to stare into the void and confront the realities that come from serving in war. With each chapter that passes, my heart broke more and more and despair came in more and more as both Joe and I realized that this was the reality of his life now. This is what he fought for, and this is how he will die, a slab of meat on a table with no ability to do anything other than think and remember.
There's really not much more I can say or add to this book that hasn't already been said, but this is a groundbreaking novel that begs to be read, and it is a saddening fact that this book might be more relevant than ever despite being nearly over 100 years old. It's sad that so little has changed since Trumbo gave us this masterpiece, and if he were still here today, his voice would no doubt continue to shine through the hypocrisy and brutality of war and government politics.
Hmmmm.
But what do the dead say?”
It has been almost a decade since I read this book back when I was a young angsty 8th grader who thought I was really mature for getting into films like A Clockwork Orange and Cannibal Holocaust and reading adult books like Mario Puzo's The Godfather and the book in review today, Dalton Trumbo's 1939 anti-war masterpiece Johnny Got His Gun. This was a book that always stuck with me, but at the time didn't leave too much of an impact or lasting legacy in my mind. But, nearly a decade later I have matured and understand completely the horrors of this book and my God is it horrific. To call this book bleak and hopeless is an understatement. There is so little hope, and so much hope taken away not only from protagonist Joe Bonham but for the audience as well, that it feels like you've lost something from reading this book, not gained.
This book is impeccable in showcasing one of the most depressingly realistic scenarios a veteran could find themselves in, albeit showcased to an extremity, but nonetheless showcasing how little regard or care injured veterans receive. It creates such an unsettling and uncomfortable environment that you want nothing more than to help Joe and euthanize him yourself, but Trumbo forces the audience and Joe to stare into the void and confront the realities that come from serving in war. With each chapter that passes, my heart broke more and more and despair came in more and more as both Joe and I realized that this was the reality of his life now. This is what he fought for, and this is how he will die, a slab of meat on a table with no ability to do anything other than think and remember.
There's really not much more I can say or add to this book that hasn't already been said, but this is a groundbreaking novel that begs to be read, and it is a saddening fact that this book might be more relevant than ever despite being nearly over 100 years old. It's sad that so little has changed since Trumbo gave us this masterpiece, and if he were still here today, his voice would no doubt continue to shine through the hypocrisy and brutality of war and government politics.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly this book is very well written, and an excellent bit of anti-war literature. The reason it is getting 4 stars instead of 5 is because I am literally having nightmares after finishing it. The author does such an amazing job of getting into the mind of this soldier that his words will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Read at your own risk ... maybe wait until after 2020 is over also, because it's a bit of a downer.
Read at your own risk ... maybe wait until after 2020 is over also, because it's a bit of a downer.
read this bc of metallica but had a genuinely nice time
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eines meiner absoluten Lieblingsbücher. Ein Klassiker, den man gelesen haben muss und der einen prägt.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is now one of my favorite books of all time. It's so good, and everyone should read it!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
Amazing book! It’s very heartbreaking and very sad. Makes you think the things you’ve never thought of before.