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supertenn115's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
alx7p's review against another edition
5.0
Un romanzo che entra nel cuore.
Capisci quanto la crudeltĂ dell'essere umano sia il maggior male di questo mondo, e quanto l'amore, quello vero, possa essere la sua salvezza.
Scrittura scorrevole , personaggi veri e storia molto triste. Lo rileggerò sicuramente prima o poi!
Capisci quanto la crudeltĂ dell'essere umano sia il maggior male di questo mondo, e quanto l'amore, quello vero, possa essere la sua salvezza.
Scrittura scorrevole , personaggi veri e storia molto triste. Lo rileggerò sicuramente prima o poi!
carolinerd's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In 1919 ex-soldier, Tristan Sadler, visits Marian Bancroft, the sister of his fallen comrade, Will, to return a bundle of letters to her. Through the course of Tristan's conversation with Marian and through flashbacks to his life just before and during the Great War, we learn about his relationship with Will and ultimately discover the shocking, terrible secret that will haunt Tristan for the rest of his days.
I am often drawn to novels set in World War 1, and this didn't disappoint. I had never heard the term 'absolutist' before, which describes the very extreme form of being a conscientious objector, where you not only choose not to fight but refuse to partake in even ancillary tasks associated with the war. It certainly made me think a lot about the concepts of bravery, cowardice and patriotism and what they really mean.
It's a powerul account of coming to terms with one's sexuality in an era when homosexuals were condemned as criminals and deviants. I was expecting a kind of 'In Memoriam' gay love affair in the trenches but it is much more than this. If anything, the stigma of cowardice is even greater than the stigma of being homosexual. It's staggering how 'morality' can be so full of hate. It's about the shame and guilt that comes from failing to do what society expects of you, what your family and your country expect of you. It is also about the pain of rejection. There are many graphic descriptions of the physical trauma of war but the accounts of the emotional trauma are just as harrowing.
It is not an easy read and not one that brings a happy ending. The injustice of it all and the senseless brutality of the war makes you very angry. However, it packs a huge punch and it leaves a lasting impression.
I am often drawn to novels set in World War 1, and this didn't disappoint. I had never heard the term 'absolutist' before, which describes the very extreme form of being a conscientious objector, where you not only choose not to fight but refuse to partake in even ancillary tasks associated with the war. It certainly made me think a lot about the concepts of bravery, cowardice and patriotism and what they really mean.
It's a powerul account of coming to terms with one's sexuality in an era when homosexuals were condemned as criminals and deviants. I was expecting a kind of 'In Memoriam' gay love affair in the trenches but it is much more than this. If anything, the stigma of cowardice is even greater than the stigma of being homosexual. It's staggering how 'morality' can be so full of hate. It's about the shame and guilt that comes from failing to do what society expects of you, what your family and your country expect of you. It is also about the pain of rejection. There are many graphic descriptions of the physical trauma of war but the accounts of the emotional trauma are just as harrowing.
It is not an easy read and not one that brings a happy ending. The injustice of it all and the senseless brutality of the war makes you very angry. However, it packs a huge punch and it leaves a lasting impression.
jadelange's review
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.25
shelfimprovement's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
m_i_c_h_a_e_l__________'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
namelikescrabble's review against another edition
5.0
Words fail me in describing the emotional hollow I was when I finished this. Is that enough? :L Go read it. Now. Be shocked. Confirm to yourself that John Boyne is the master of terrible awful wonderful. Now.
cati_strickland's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
apaethy's review against another edition
4.0
this definitely scratched an itch that i had after watching 1917. it wasn't exactly what i was looking for but still, an incredible read.