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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This was a real departure for me from my usual reading matter, though I've always held a fascination for the First World War. It's not an easy book to read as it's full of psychological terms and explanations, but it's handled in a sympathetic way and the story runs continuously throughout. It's main appeal for me is that you can easily put yourself in River's mind; the man who has to identify the young soldier's illness, 'cure' them, and then send them back to the front to probably be killed.
It's a tale that had to be told and all these young men are heroes, none more so than Sassoon who not only had the extreme gallantry and courage to be a real leader of men, but also had the conviction to speak out against the top brass and their conduct of the war. Owen, the shy, stammering young man who died a week before the armistace whilst storming a machine gun nest, sums up the heroism and tragedy.
This is a novel that will live in my memory for a long time.
It's a tale that had to be told and all these young men are heroes, none more so than Sassoon who not only had the extreme gallantry and courage to be a real leader of men, but also had the conviction to speak out against the top brass and their conduct of the war. Owen, the shy, stammering young man who died a week before the armistace whilst storming a machine gun nest, sums up the heroism and tragedy.
This is a novel that will live in my memory for a long time.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to like this book, but 20% in it’s a DNF. The subject matter of men suffering from mental illness due to WWi along with Siegfried Sassoon’s Pacifsiscism is fascinating, but the execution of this material by the author is disappointing. I’m shocked this book won awards. It’s a collection of conversations with different people that basically go nowhere. Constant changing of POV is distracting as well.
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i wish it focused more on the patients than the psychiatrist
When I began this book I realized that I have read very few books about WWI. Although there are very few graphic details the premise of the book, a psychiactric hospital for shell-shocked officers who once healed will return to combat, is devastating enough to read. I look forward to reading the other two novels in this trilogy.
challenging
dark
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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