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A review by elementarymydear
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was such a frustrating read for me because it had so much potential!
Some elements of this book were done brilliantly. The relationship between Gaunt and Ellwood, the two main characters, was electric, and the tensions between them felt very tangible. This book also had one of the most brutal descriptions of trench warfare I’ve read, and it was extremely effective. The way the ‘In Memoriam’ pages were included throughout helped to emphasise the extent of the devastation, and give a sense of what it would have been like to live through the First World War.
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This book didn’t have the best start with me, as I really didn’t like the first chapter! I found the two main characters, particularly Ellwood, very childish to begin with, written more like primary school than sixth form students. After the first couple of chapters though I did warm to them. The writing style was generally enjoyable, and there were a few passages in particular that were stunningly written.
I did have my issues with this book though. The first is that we twice (twice!!) had a character be killed off, only for it to be revealed much later on that they were a prisoner of war. The first time, it felt a bit gimmicky but it didn’t both me too much; the second time, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. There is also a scene where the only character of colour sacrifices himself for his white friends, which should have at least been picked up in editing.
At about the 60% mark, we are introduced to a whole host of new characters, some of whom the main character is lifelong friends with and is very fond of. I would much rather have had that backstory planted earlier on in the book, rather than suddenly feel like I’m in a whole other book with another exposition.
I’ve mentioned this before in a couple of other reviews, but one of the big challenges with historical LGBTQ fiction is how to land that happy ending (and whether to include one at all). The ending felt too neat and convenient for me, and more importantly, didn’t fit with the rest of the book tonally. The convenient appearance of a grand opportunity for both of them on another continent from a knowing friend felt at odds with the struggle and darkness in the rest of the book, and a different (still happy and hopeful!) ending might have fitted slightly better.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed by this book. While some of it was a very good read, it was let down a few too many times at other points.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Some elements of this book were done brilliantly. The relationship between Gaunt and Ellwood, the two main characters, was electric, and the tensions between them felt very tangible. This book also had one of the most brutal descriptions of trench warfare I’ve read, and it was extremely effective. The way the ‘In Memoriam’ pages were included throughout helped to emphasise the extent of the devastation, and give a sense of what it would have been like to live through the First World War.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
This book didn’t have the best start with me, as I really didn’t like the first chapter! I found the two main characters, particularly Ellwood, very childish to begin with, written more like primary school than sixth form students. After the first couple of chapters though I did warm to them. The writing style was generally enjoyable, and there were a few passages in particular that were stunningly written.
I did have my issues with this book though. The first is that we twice (twice!!) had a character be killed off, only for it to be revealed much later on that they were a prisoner of war. The first time, it felt a bit gimmicky but it didn’t both me too much; the second time, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. There is also a scene where the only character of colour sacrifices himself for his white friends, which should have at least been picked up in editing.
At about the 60% mark, we are introduced to a whole host of new characters, some of whom the main character is lifelong friends with and is very fond of. I would much rather have had that backstory planted earlier on in the book, rather than suddenly feel like I’m in a whole other book with another exposition.
I’ve mentioned this before in a couple of other reviews, but one of the big challenges with historical LGBTQ fiction is how to land that happy ending (and whether to include one at all). The ending felt too neat and convenient for me, and more importantly, didn’t fit with the rest of the book tonally. The convenient appearance of a grand opportunity for both of them on another continent from a knowing friend felt at odds with the struggle and darkness in the rest of the book, and a different (still happy and hopeful!) ending might have fitted slightly better.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed by this book. While some of it was a very good read, it was let down a few too many times at other points.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.