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A review by mccooper
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I thought this book was both beautiful and devastating. The prose was poetic and although it could be difficult for me to read at times, I loved the realistic imagery and that it did not glorify war. I was shocked to find out that the author had written this in his mid twenties without having ever been a soldier.
The only thing that makes this 4 stars for me instead of 5 stars is that while Crane showcased the complexity of the MC's thoughts and his internal battle, the change of heart he had about halfway or 3/4 through the book seemingly came from nowhere. I think it was a plausible development, but maybe not as quickly as it seemed to have happened. I wonder if the book would have been slightly more impactful if he had died in a meaningful way instead of making it out unscathed.
The only thing that makes this 4 stars for me instead of 5 stars is that while Crane showcased the complexity of the MC's thoughts and his internal battle, the change of heart he had about halfway or 3/4 through the book seemingly came from nowhere. I think it was a plausible development, but maybe not as quickly as it seemed to have happened. I wonder if the book would have been slightly more impactful if he had died in a meaningful way instead of making it out unscathed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence