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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
In 1910, 20-year-old Stephen Wraysford is sent by his employer to Amiens, to observe the practices of the textile industry. While there, he meets Isabelle, and begins an intense love affair.
In 1916, Stephen is back in France, this time as an officer in the trenches of warfare, returning to the areas around Amiens - the Somme valley.
60 years after the end of the war, Elizabeth seeks to find out more about her grandfather, and his experiences in the trenches.
And so this novel is a book of three parts. The first section describes several months in 1910 when Stephen is staying with textile factory owner Azaire and his unhappy, younger wife Isabelle. There are moments of great writing, with Faulks drawing the characters of Azaire and his arrogant neighbour Berard superbly. Some of the other characters, however, don't feel as well-drawn, and parts of the story feel clunky.
When the story moves to the trenches, however, the quality of the story-telling makes a substantial change for the better. Though describing some horrific events, Faulks does not veer into sensationalism or mawkishness, but produces a moving account of the First World War, and the experiences and feelings of those who fought in it.
Alternating with the story of the war, is Elizabeth's story. Approaching 40, Elizabeth has a sudden need to discover more about her grandfather, who fought I. The First World War. In his introduction to the 2011 edition that I read, Faulks states that 'Elizabeth existed at first to ask questions for the reader and to satisfy a thematic requirement; that the past and the presents the public and the private, be shown to be interdependent'. Perhaps I didn't feel a need to ask those questions, because I felt this part of the story to be somewhat unnecessary. I did not engage at all with Elizabeth as a character, and did not really care about what happened to her. I speed-read through the sections set in 1978, itching to get back to the scenes set in 1916-18. The only moments I felt had any real purpose were Elizabeth's visit to the Somme, and to a war veteran.
Thankfully, Elizabeth's story is a small part of the book, and the bulk of the book is centred on the war. I must admit that I have never been particularly interested in early 20th century history, and have not had more than an awareness of events during the 1914-18 war. So I was aware of the high number of losses in the Somme, and the attitude the people 'back home' had towards returning soldiers. So Birdsong, something I read because it was a Book Club read, would or normally have been my book of choice. I am grateful that I was given reason to read it, because of the greater depth of understanding it has given me about the horrors of the war. As well as being moved, I felt angry at times: can anyone not get angry when they learn more about the poor organisation of The Big Push, that lead to completely unnecessary loss of lives?
I am glad that I have read this book.
In 1916, Stephen is back in France, this time as an officer in the trenches of warfare, returning to the areas around Amiens - the Somme valley.
60 years after the end of the war, Elizabeth seeks to find out more about her grandfather, and his experiences in the trenches.
And so this novel is a book of three parts. The first section describes several months in 1910 when Stephen is staying with textile factory owner Azaire and his unhappy, younger wife Isabelle. There are moments of great writing, with Faulks drawing the characters of Azaire and his arrogant neighbour Berard superbly. Some of the other characters, however, don't feel as well-drawn, and parts of the story feel clunky.
When the story moves to the trenches, however, the quality of the story-telling makes a substantial change for the better. Though describing some horrific events, Faulks does not veer into sensationalism or mawkishness, but produces a moving account of the First World War, and the experiences and feelings of those who fought in it.
Alternating with the story of the war, is Elizabeth's story. Approaching 40, Elizabeth has a sudden need to discover more about her grandfather, who fought I. The First World War. In his introduction to the 2011 edition that I read, Faulks states that 'Elizabeth existed at first to ask questions for the reader and to satisfy a thematic requirement; that the past and the presents the public and the private, be shown to be interdependent'. Perhaps I didn't feel a need to ask those questions, because I felt this part of the story to be somewhat unnecessary. I did not engage at all with Elizabeth as a character, and did not really care about what happened to her. I speed-read through the sections set in 1978, itching to get back to the scenes set in 1916-18. The only moments I felt had any real purpose were Elizabeth's visit to the Somme, and to a war veteran.
Thankfully, Elizabeth's story is a small part of the book, and the bulk of the book is centred on the war. I must admit that I have never been particularly interested in early 20th century history, and have not had more than an awareness of events during the 1914-18 war. So I was aware of the high number of losses in the Somme, and the attitude the people 'back home' had towards returning soldiers. So Birdsong, something I read because it was a Book Club read, would or normally have been my book of choice. I am grateful that I was given reason to read it, because of the greater depth of understanding it has given me about the horrors of the war. As well as being moved, I felt angry at times: can anyone not get angry when they learn more about the poor organisation of The Big Push, that lead to completely unnecessary loss of lives?
I am glad that I have read this book.
This is a novel about World War I, so naturally there is a lot of cruelty, devastation, pain, horror and darkness in it.
As a psychology student I found it especially interesting to read about all the highly descriptive aspects of shell shock (what we now call PTSD) and how hard it was for men to get back and live on after the war and its traumatic experiences.
I also liked how incredibly vivid and unique the characters created by Sebastian Faulks are. It's fascinating to read about them.
This novel made me cry a little, it touched me, it made me think and wonder and the ending left me with a little bit of hope. So what more is there to expect of a novel about war, life and death?
As a psychology student I found it especially interesting to read about all the highly descriptive aspects of shell shock (what we now call PTSD) and how hard it was for men to get back and live on after the war and its traumatic experiences.
I also liked how incredibly vivid and unique the characters created by Sebastian Faulks are. It's fascinating to read about them.
This novel made me cry a little, it touched me, it made me think and wonder and the ending left me with a little bit of hope. So what more is there to expect of a novel about war, life and death?
Sometimes brutal, sometimes boring story of Stephen Wraysford and his life, mainly in France, before and during WW1. Not an easy read, certainly not a comfortable read. Some of the most brutally disturbing and shocking descriptions of life in the trenches during WW1 that I have ever read. Got quite emotional at the end.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really liked this book at the beginning (I'm a romantic at heart) - I found myself sitting and reading it for hours. Kind of lagged in the middle for me although that might just have been cause I'd had tons of other things going on a the time and is no reflection on the book whatsoever... But I'm just rambling now.... :)
Finishing this book is something like being dug out of a shell hole, or emerging from sleep still in the grip of one's nightmare. Faulks did a shatteringly good job of conveying the sheer incomprehensible horror of the trenches and mines. He was equally adept at blind, headlong, addictive physical passion. What kept this novel from five stars was the 1978-1979 material about Elizabeth Benson. While the snippet of her at Thiepval is moving, I get no sense of promises kept or the torch being passed from her life, pregnancy and delivery. I'm not even sure a device to connect past and present generations is necessary.
BBC did a very good radio dramatization of this in 1997 featuring Toby Stephens as Stephen Wraysford. Well worth a listen, and tellingly, the man who adapted it for radio chose to leave out a goodly part of the Elizabeth Benson storyline.
BBC did a very good radio dramatization of this in 1997 featuring Toby Stephens as Stephen Wraysford. Well worth a listen, and tellingly, the man who adapted it for radio chose to leave out a goodly part of the Elizabeth Benson storyline.
Finally ... after putting this novel aside countless times, each time thinking that I was done with it, I completed it. Overall, I think that Faulks spread himself too thin and, as a result, missed the mark entirely. Faulks was desperately trying to engage a female audience in a war novel but he ended up dumbing down a potentially good story and disappointing all readers.
The description of life in the trenches was exceptional. The daily fatigue of a soldier is palpable and the conditions atrocious. The trench soldiers truly lacked any understanding of the 'why' about each episode of battle but they did what was asked of them without hesitation. Knowing that they were going to their undeniable death, over the top of the trench, directly into enemy machine gun fire, was unbelievable and so well told. I was flipping through those pages on the edge of my seat. The scenes within the sappers' tunnels were so eye-opening. I really felt the claustrophobia of those poor men trapped underground with no light, water or means of escape.
But then, there would be some gratuitous and unnecessary sex scenes that grossed me out entirely. Faulks confusion between lust, love and romance was painfully evident. There were too many swollen 'members' and I almost convulsed at his referral to a woman's vulva as a 'gash' (how romantic). His attempt to bring the 1970s storyline into his WW1 novel also felt distracting, as this modern woman was more concerned with the scraps of attention that her pathetic, married boyfriend doled out than the history that she essentially had someone else uncover for her.
It is my only Faulks read and I doubt that I will go back for more.
The description of life in the trenches was exceptional. The daily fatigue of a soldier is palpable and the conditions atrocious. The trench soldiers truly lacked any understanding of the 'why' about each episode of battle but they did what was asked of them without hesitation. Knowing that they were going to their undeniable death, over the top of the trench, directly into enemy machine gun fire, was unbelievable and so well told. I was flipping through those pages on the edge of my seat. The scenes within the sappers' tunnels were so eye-opening. I really felt the claustrophobia of those poor men trapped underground with no light, water or means of escape.
But then, there would be some gratuitous and unnecessary sex scenes that grossed me out entirely. Faulks confusion between lust, love and romance was painfully evident. There were too many swollen 'members' and I almost convulsed at his referral to a woman's vulva as a 'gash' (how romantic). His attempt to bring the 1970s storyline into his WW1 novel also felt distracting, as this modern woman was more concerned with the scraps of attention that her pathetic, married boyfriend doled out than the history that she essentially had someone else uncover for her.
It is my only Faulks read and I doubt that I will go back for more.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
Good but I’ll call it a disappointment as it didn’t meet my criteria of 1 star for every 100 pages to make it truly worthwhile. At 500 pages, this needed to be a 5 star book #TheStuSystem #NeverForgiveInfiniteJest #ShouldHaveBeen11StarsNot3 #FuckInfiniteJest
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced