Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - In Memoriam

I don’t really think I could possibly ever find the words to describe what I feel right now.

In Memoriam is sensational. Beautifully raw and gripping with the most talented prose and narration I’ve read in a while. It’s intimate, it’s genuine, it’s moving and it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.

I don’t think I have it in me to write a full review now, but I might be able to later. It’s just an instant classic and I don’t have words.

Content Warnings

terranstorm's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.5

This was well done. I don't reach for historical fiction very often, no special interest in WWI here, but I really loved this. I appreciated the way the story is carried both by our two mains AND their many letters with various others. Oh! And even the printed reports of casualties and the injured (which I say first in the ebook, then experienced differently in the audiobook; it was surprisingly well-managed for the audio format).

The thread of slowly building romance between Ellwood and Gaunt felt well-balanced with the drama and action, contemplation of the machine of war, and the very deep, very personal injuries both suffered (physically and mentally). The prose is lovely and slow and haunting throughout. They struggle and don't necessarily "get better" but they keep trying, work to grow and forgive.

It's not a one-to-one comparison at all, but: I think this is great for fans of works like the Song of Achilles. Although it's a different sort of tragedy than that, the feeling was along the same lines: I went into this looking for a good, hearty cry and boy, I got it.

Content Warnings

atamano's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

therinde's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0

Content Warnings

gymjam_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

rosecoleman's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Incredible

Content Warnings

echolli's review against another edition

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4.5

Read this if you love to deeeeeply understand and empathise with characters. Alice Winn takes you through every thought and experience and relationship that forms them, from their privileged upbringing and class ignorance to the harrowing things they learn in the trenches. You understand every decision they make and thing they say, because you’ve been there with them. If injury detail and death isn’t your thing, I would give this one a miss mind.

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