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rywall's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
danerys's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ghadahkhalid's review against another edition
5.0
A raw, grotesque, and terrifying anti-war novel that portrays a human-wreck of war; hopelessly wounded, blinded, voiceless, and deaf.
overgrindnico's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
serinde4books's review
3.0
This is a story about the ravenges of war. Not so much the acts of war, but more the damage war does to the human soul. The story is about a man trapped in his own mind after fighting in WWI, and the trauma it has on his sanity. The book was ok, it was a bit on the depressing side, the entire story line was the main character's stream of conciousness which I personally found a bit tedious and wanted more background information, either as an introduction or a epilogue.
ashleyrich3825's review
4.0
Johnny Got His Gun is often called one of the most prominent anti-war novels, and it definitely fulfills that title. The prose is written in a stylistically unique stream of consciousness which is both beautiful, stark, and a little frustrating at times.
This book is definitely not a feel-good read. I made the mistake of reading it before bed and couldn't get my brain to shut off. But if you want to see through the eyes of a disillusioned American soldier and are prepared to be punched in the heart by the cruelty of reality and of war, this is definitely worth a read.
This book is definitely not a feel-good read. I made the mistake of reading it before bed and couldn't get my brain to shut off. But if you want to see through the eyes of a disillusioned American soldier and are prepared to be punched in the heart by the cruelty of reality and of war, this is definitely worth a read.
madfil's review against another edition
4.0
(19 June, 2021)
What can I say about this novel? I took one star off my rating because of the writing, at times it was choppy and disjointed, while still thinking this was done on purpose. The back and forth between first person and third person felt awkward even if it did not really make it more difficult to read. It was simply not to my taste.
On one level, this is a book on (and of) war - on its genesis, its portrayal, its consequences and its stupidity. We, as a species, are so dumb I cannot imagine a world filled with people who would not fight because someone in power (someone who would not do any actual fighting by the way) tells/orders/dupes them to do so. Which member of any military branch knows why he or she is going to war... let me be clear here, the real reason? Ask any Italian infantryman in WWII why yesterday's enemies are today's allies... boy, we're stupid!
On another level this is a book on communication. Miscommunication and lack of communication are, possibly with fear, this planet's biggest problem. Nothing can get better without good communication and its subsequent understanding. I can't help but think that the first nurse's lack of success is a reflection of her failing to see Joe as a fellow human being. During war, the populace are encouraged, by political leaders, to think of the other side as inhuman, sub-human or monsters - hardly propitious for meaningful talks.
Lastly, on a deeper level still, this is a story about what it means to be human. Joe, perforce, flashes back to important and not-so-important events in his life. Good, bad, fun, awful, it hardly matters, we, each one of us, are the result of our experiences. As his last message attests, Joe acknowledges that events in his life are over if his situation does not change. I felt more compassion for him while reading his reminiscences than reading about his current predicament exactly because of that, because his life has effectively stopped even as he still lives.
Rest in peace Johnny.
What can I say about this novel? I took one star off my rating because of the writing, at times it was choppy and disjointed, while still thinking this was done on purpose. The back and forth between first person and third person felt awkward even if it did not really make it more difficult to read. It was simply not to my taste.
On one level, this is a book on (and of) war - on its genesis, its portrayal, its consequences and its stupidity. We, as a species, are so dumb I cannot imagine a world filled with people who would not fight because someone in power (someone who would not do any actual fighting by the way) tells/orders/dupes them to do so. Which member of any military branch knows why he or she is going to war... let me be clear here, the real reason? Ask any Italian infantryman in WWII why yesterday's enemies are today's allies... boy, we're stupid!
On another level this is a book on communication. Miscommunication and lack of communication are, possibly with fear, this planet's biggest problem. Nothing can get better without good communication and its subsequent understanding. I can't help but think that the first nurse's lack of success is a reflection of her failing to see Joe as a fellow human being. During war, the populace are encouraged, by political leaders, to think of the other side as inhuman, sub-human or monsters - hardly propitious for meaningful talks.
Lastly, on a deeper level still, this is a story about what it means to be human. Joe, perforce, flashes back to important and not-so-important events in his life. Good, bad, fun, awful, it hardly matters, we, each one of us, are the result of our experiences. As his last message attests, Joe acknowledges that events in his life are over if his situation does not change. I felt more compassion for him while reading his reminiscences than reading about his current predicament exactly because of that, because his life has effectively stopped even as he still lives.
Rest in peace Johnny.
cyberslash's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
I read this book because of One by Metallica. The book was really deep and made you think a lot about things like war and "liberty." I also liked the author's decision to not use commas to imitate the way humans think. You could really feel Joe's desperation at the times when he was thinking about his situation. This book was somewhat disturbing, but in a good way. And of course, that is the point of the book. It's all to send a message.
weed_babushka's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War