You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, War
Moderate: Gore, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Because you'll appreciate the most basic things in life.
There are literally no commas, but it's SO freaking GOOD--
It hits so hard. Just read it. Trust me.
It hits so hard. Just read it. Trust me.
Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo
First published in 1939, just as the US geared up for WWII, this book tells the story of a surviving WWI soldier. It became a famous anti-war novel, used by activists for the Vietnam war. It has truly had an impact on generations and gives a stark outlook on modern warfare. I'm surprised that for these reasons, it is not a required part of school curriculums.
Told in the first person, a recovering soldier tells his life story, switching narratives between his past and his present. What makes this story powerful is that it gives a reality not of the violence of war, as many other anti-war novels focus, but what is left of the life and the man who survived such violence.
A must read for everyone. This is very impactful. Thank you to those who recommended it. I'm glad I read it.
As always, shop local whenever possible: https://bookshop.org/a/17316/9780553274325
First published in 1939, just as the US geared up for WWII, this book tells the story of a surviving WWI soldier. It became a famous anti-war novel, used by activists for the Vietnam war. It has truly had an impact on generations and gives a stark outlook on modern warfare. I'm surprised that for these reasons, it is not a required part of school curriculums.
Told in the first person, a recovering soldier tells his life story, switching narratives between his past and his present. What makes this story powerful is that it gives a reality not of the violence of war, as many other anti-war novels focus, but what is left of the life and the man who survived such violence.
A must read for everyone. This is very impactful. Thank you to those who recommended it. I'm glad I read it.
As always, shop local whenever possible: https://bookshop.org/a/17316/9780553274325
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
A truly haunting book about the futility of war. Not much else to say about this one except damn, everyone should read this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated