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A review by katykelly
Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War by Sebastian Faulks
5.0
It's such a famous modern classic now that I don't think I need to write too detailed a synopsis, just how I felt about the book.
I've had this book on my windowsill for two years now, staring at me with its 'worthy' title and credentials. I admit, the size put me off starting. There was always something more urgent for me to read.
And it did take some time, nearly a week which is unusual for me. But yes. It was definite worthy of my time.
I'd say Birdsong is one of the most important war novels alongside All Quiet on the Western Front, Catch 22 and a handful of others.
There are the stories preceding the War, when
Stephen falls for Isabelle, and a story set later about a woman searching for facts about her
Grandfather. These were both touching and lovely.
But for me, the trench warfare as narrated by Stephen and other soldiers in his company was fascinating, sorrowful and intense. Faulk's description of the bodies, the wasted lives, the feelings of the men, the conditions, the end of the War for Stephen, were incredibly moving and could have been written by someone go lived through it all.
A very necessary read for anyone who wants to know what the First World War really involved. Beautifully written and fully deserving of its good reports.
I've had this book on my windowsill for two years now, staring at me with its 'worthy' title and credentials. I admit, the size put me off starting. There was always something more urgent for me to read.
And it did take some time, nearly a week which is unusual for me. But yes. It was definite worthy of my time.
I'd say Birdsong is one of the most important war novels alongside All Quiet on the Western Front, Catch 22 and a handful of others.
There are the stories preceding the War, when
Stephen falls for Isabelle, and a story set later about a woman searching for facts about her
Grandfather. These were both touching and lovely.
But for me, the trench warfare as narrated by Stephen and other soldiers in his company was fascinating, sorrowful and intense. Faulk's description of the bodies, the wasted lives, the feelings of the men, the conditions, the end of the War for Stephen, were incredibly moving and could have been written by someone go lived through it all.
A very necessary read for anyone who wants to know what the First World War really involved. Beautifully written and fully deserving of its good reports.