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halkid2's review against another edition
5.0
This novella is a quick read that is beautifully and simply written but also dramatic and and deeply emotional.
Through just a handful of powerful interwoven stories, Jean Echenoz shows World War I, with ALL its horror and futility. In fact, the war truly becomes the main character. Be warned though that little is left to the imagination.
Powerful descriptions of random death, sudden disfiguring injuries, and despondent soldiers are captured using simple, sparse language. Echenoz even explores the intimate relationships between fighting Frenchmen in the trenches and all the different types of animals they encounter -- domesticated farm survivors, wild animals subjected to poison gas, and rats and lice.
In this one short narrative, you'll also find a vivid portrait of how the war impacted those left behind -- from pregnant girlfriends to profiteering businesses, from mutineering soldiers to empty streets. It's really quite an accomplishment.
Through just a handful of powerful interwoven stories, Jean Echenoz shows World War I, with ALL its horror and futility. In fact, the war truly becomes the main character. Be warned though that little is left to the imagination.
Powerful descriptions of random death, sudden disfiguring injuries, and despondent soldiers are captured using simple, sparse language. Echenoz even explores the intimate relationships between fighting Frenchmen in the trenches and all the different types of animals they encounter -- domesticated farm survivors, wild animals subjected to poison gas, and rats and lice.
In this one short narrative, you'll also find a vivid portrait of how the war impacted those left behind -- from pregnant girlfriends to profiteering businesses, from mutineering soldiers to empty streets. It's really quite an accomplishment.
yoyowaimo's review
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
litjrzygrl's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5
For a little book this took me a while to get into it (about half way). It was an interesting writing style, no quotations but sections that were dialogue. Also it had a sort of bluntness that I wasn't used to reading.
The story, itself, was great. A quick tale about boys from the same town that went off to war not thinking it was any big deal. They all quickly learned just how big a deal it was. There was also Blanche who was waiting back at home for Charlie and Anthime.
I can't talk too much about the story without giving away something important so I'm just going to say it is worth reading. It's a quick and realistic look back 100 years to the French experience in WW1.
For a little book this took me a while to get into it (about half way). It was an interesting writing style, no quotations but sections that were dialogue. Also it had a sort of bluntness that I wasn't used to reading.
The story, itself, was great. A quick tale about boys from the same town that went off to war not thinking it was any big deal. They all quickly learned just how big a deal it was. There was also Blanche who was waiting back at home for Charlie and Anthime.
I can't talk too much about the story without giving away something important so I'm just going to say it is worth reading. It's a quick and realistic look back 100 years to the French experience in WW1.
peiman198913's review against another edition
3.0
آنتیم در دشتی زیبا و وسیع در حال مطالعه است که صدای ناقوس کلیسا ها به صدا در می آید. صدای ناقوسی که خبر از فراخوان عمومی دارد. فراخوان برای جنگ. چهارده داستان 5 نفر است در طول جنگ جهانی اول. مثل تمام کتاب های راجع به جنگ قسمتهای تلخ زیاد داره. و در نهایت شخصیت اصلی داستان بیشتر جنگه تا آتیم و دوستاش
ssiihhttaamm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
laura_trap's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very short, very powerful book that hits you right in the chest. It's about WWI but from a very distant perspective, peppered with a dark, wry humor that makes it both human and sad. I enjoyed the often rambling style of writing, that seems almost dazed and distracted, while simultaneously pinpointing the rough emotions felt during the war. Very well written, well worth it.
finn_vibing's review
dark
informative
sad
slow-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
komet2020's review against another edition
3.0
As suggested by its title, "1914" serves as both the key and the cornerstone of the story. A story shaped in every way by war.
"1914" has as its focus 5 men from the Vendée in the Loire Region of France --- Anthime, an accountant by training; his cousin Charles (who felt himself superior to his 4 compatriots); Padioleau, a skilled butcher; Bossi; and Arcenel --- who joined the Army the day after mobilization was declared and were assigned to the same regiment at the Front in the earliest days of the war. The author does a good job of conveying the euphoria felt across France at the time. A euphoria that soon evaporated once the first casualties occurred and stalemate took hold across the Front. Casualties that would grow to a horrifying degree as the war advanced. Charles, who had connections, would secure a transfer to the Aviation Militaire, serving as an observer on a photo-reconnaissance airplane. The others would continue to serve in the trenches, weathering battle after battle. The war would reshape them, too. But I leave it to the reader of this review to find out for him/herself how all 5 men are impacted by their experiences.
SPECIAL NOTE: The Translator's Notes at the back at the book offer some richly informative remarks that will give any reader of "1914" a full flavor of the events and practices of the era within France. (I recommend reading them as well.)
"1914" has as its focus 5 men from the Vendée in the Loire Region of France --- Anthime, an accountant by training; his cousin Charles (who felt himself superior to his 4 compatriots); Padioleau, a skilled butcher; Bossi; and Arcenel --- who joined the Army the day after mobilization was declared and were assigned to the same regiment at the Front in the earliest days of the war. The author does a good job of conveying the euphoria felt across France at the time. A euphoria that soon evaporated once the first casualties occurred and stalemate took hold across the Front. Casualties that would grow to a horrifying degree as the war advanced. Charles, who had connections, would secure a transfer to the Aviation Militaire, serving as an observer on a photo-reconnaissance airplane. The others would continue to serve in the trenches, weathering battle after battle. The war would reshape them, too. But I leave it to the reader of this review to find out for him/herself how all 5 men are impacted by their experiences.
SPECIAL NOTE: The Translator's Notes at the back at the book offer some richly informative remarks that will give any reader of "1914" a full flavor of the events and practices of the era within France. (I recommend reading them as well.)
bernrr's review against another edition
3.0
Echenoz's short piece about the start of World War I paints the experience vividly, and that seemed to be the point. As an exercise in imagining history it is very effective, and it is more difficult to read for the gruesomeness. It lacks the punchy plot twists of Echenoz's other books. A sobering read.
jules_cr's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways this felt more like a writing exercise than a novel. Otherwise an excellent (seeming?) depiction of WW1- gruesome, senseless and tragic.