A review by rfelt
1914 by Jean Echenoz

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this book--I really wanted to love it. I was impressed by the jarring effects of war and the subtle ironies of each character's experience. However, I felt like I was missing the other half of the book--things were jumbled around and (although I stopped reading for a good number of weeks) I felt confused and lost for a good part of the book. Sometimes I really enjoyed the writing and the vague set up of characters whose relationships were specified later but at other times I felt like it was a bit forced. I loved the side notes from the translator in the back that clarified historical events or words. I only wish I could have loved it more.