A review by tesslw
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
TW; graphic depictions of war, ableism, homophobia, injury
I can say, in confidence, that this will be one of my favourite books of the year. It’s very rare that I find characters so raw, nuanced, and whom I feel so quickly and deeply invested in as I did with Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood in this novel (even typing ‘Sidney’ almost makes me feel teary; and if you know, you know!)
In Memoriam begins in 1914, during the precipice and subsequent arrival of World War 1; beginning with two best friends at boarding school, both hiding their deep rooted love for the other, believing it to be unrequited and fearing the societal dangers as well as potential damage to friendship of admitting such feelings. At the tender age of 18, Gaunt also has to battle with his dual heritage; being half German when the two parts of him become mortal enemies is a tough thing to reconcile. But ultimately, his destiny is at the front; and wherever Gaunt goes, Ellwood will follow - age restrictions be damned. Despite separations across time, space, a whole continent and a literal no man’s land, the two can’t help but try and find each other.
In Memoriam begins in 1914, during the precipice and subsequent arrival of World War 1; beginning with two best friends at boarding school, both hiding their deep rooted love for the other, believing it to be unrequited and fearing the societal dangers as well as potential damage to friendship of admitting such feelings. At the tender age of 18, Gaunt also has to battle with his dual heritage; being half German when the two parts of him become mortal enemies is a tough thing to reconcile. But ultimately, his destiny is at the front; and wherever Gaunt goes, Ellwood will follow - age restrictions be damned. Despite separations across time, space, a whole continent and a literal no man’s land, the two can’t help but try and find each other.
The beauty of this book is beyond anything I was expecting - each character is so nuanced, so fully formed and so deeply human. There is cruelty, there is love and there is fear beyond anything that I hope I will ever know. It also really served to remind me of the horrors of war, and the unfathomable truth of how young so many of the men who were died were, in the name of ‘their country’. The way that violence and tenderness are so deeply overlayed is nothing short of masterful. There are some bonds that truly can’t be broken.
Thank you so so much to @Viking Books for gifting me an advance copy of this - I loved it from start to finish and I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy now that it is published and out in the world. I can’t encourage you to do the same enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia