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A review by rachel_abby_reads
The Kestrel by Lloyd Alexander
4.0
Theo discovers that ideals and character can be altered in war. This book is definitely more intense than Westmark. One of the most telling lines came from Queen Mickle at the end. As Torrens and dowager Queen Caroline debate the merits of medals for leaders who served in the war, but are certainly motivated by the desire to see an end to monarchy, Mickle says (in paraphrase), "Certainly, give ribbons and metal to those who turned themselves into animals to save our country. Give them to the dead as well."
I've had reason to contemplate the effects of war on the hearts and minds of friends/family/neighbors who serve in the armed forces. They are asked to set aside the most basic of human values -respect for life, liberty, property, the right to self-will- at the behest of a government (on the large scale) and a fallible human (on the small command scale). They witness and participate in horrors -plunder, rape, murder- are criticized for the manner in which they conduct themselves, and then are expected to return home to family and country and pick up and continue as if there had been no suspension of basic, essential morality. And we give them ribbons and metal, a GI bill, medications where needed, and in some cases suspicion and scorn. It's a lot to ask of my brother, her husband, their mother. Governments -no, politicians- should give much more careful thought to the way they spend the minds, hearts, lives and souls of our service men and women.
I've had reason to contemplate the effects of war on the hearts and minds of friends/family/neighbors who serve in the armed forces. They are asked to set aside the most basic of human values -respect for life, liberty, property, the right to self-will- at the behest of a government (on the large scale) and a fallible human (on the small command scale). They witness and participate in horrors -plunder, rape, murder- are criticized for the manner in which they conduct themselves, and then are expected to return home to family and country and pick up and continue as if there had been no suspension of basic, essential morality. And we give them ribbons and metal, a GI bill, medications where needed, and in some cases suspicion and scorn. It's a lot to ask of my brother, her husband, their mother. Governments -no, politicians- should give much more careful thought to the way they spend the minds, hearts, lives and souls of our service men and women.