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A review by ramreadsagain
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you want the emotional devastation of The Song of Achilles but spread out over a full book, this is for you.
This blew me away and was so much more than I expected it to be. I usually steer clear of World War books, too used to those endless straight romance books you see in charity shops with a random photo of a milkmaid on the cover.
It's an exploration of queer love in the 1910's, yes, but it's also predominantly a criticism of war, war propaganda, UK public school culture and the classism it foments, British imperialism, and more. It does not shy away from the horrors of war, both in the trenches and outside of them, with a large focus as well on the mental strain and PTSD it left in all who survived.
It's incredibly violent and a difficult read at times (and I discovered a new trigger of mine in books!! tw enclosed spaces i guess) but I absolutely recommend it for anyone who feels up to it.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This blew me away and was so much more than I expected it to be. I usually steer clear of World War books, too used to those endless straight romance books you see in charity shops with a random photo of a milkmaid on the cover.
It's an exploration of queer love in the 1910's, yes, but it's also predominantly a criticism of war, war propaganda, UK public school culture and the classism it foments, British imperialism, and more. It does not shy away from the horrors of war, both in the trenches and outside of them, with a large focus as well on the mental strain and PTSD it left in all who survived.
It's incredibly violent and a difficult read at times (and I discovered a new trigger of mine in books!! tw enclosed spaces i guess) but I absolutely recommend it for anyone who feels up to it.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Antisemitism