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Family Drama
1914-1916
WWI The Western
Front
We all know the
scenario: war breaks out in Europe and hundreds of thousands of young men from
all walks of life enlist with hope, enthusiasm and the naïve belief that 'all
will be over by Christmas'. Except in this book, the main protagonists are
German students.
Franz Becker is
our narrator and together with his student friends, principally Karl von
Leussow, they enlist with all due patriotism. After minimal training, they are
sent to Ypres and the horrors, the nightmares, the comradeship and their hatred
of the enemy (the Tommies) begins.
One theme runs
through the book: Karl decides to accept the role of sniper because he is a
superb shot, but Franz disapproves and the conflict sometimes threatens their
deep friendship. The violence throughout is detailed but never overly graphic
and the language is, well, shall we say, vivid. But it is the language of
soldiers and adds to the overall authenticity.
Two things
stand out for me in this book: one is the wonderful characterisation of even
minor players, all without stereotyping, and the way the author keeps up the
pace to hold the readers' interest from start to finish.
The ending
won't give you any answers but I understand that there will be another book
carrying on from this one – although this will be a hard act to follow.
Quite simply,
probably the best novel I have read on this subject and one of the best I have
read in any field of Historical Fiction.
© Richard
Tearle
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