The terrors of a young soldier come to life in shocking, almost hallucinatory detail in a powerful first novel that follows in the footsteps of The Red Badge of Courage and A Farewell to Arms.
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"I really liked it because it is an intense, detailed look at what war is like on the front lines (not, actually, that I would know), and because it is not a typical war hero story. The main character is, in fact, a coward. It emphasizes the brutality and absurdity of war."
— Jamie (4 out of 5 stars)
" See red badge of courage "
— Dan, 2/12/2014" a war novel for people who don't like reading about war. moving and haunting "
— Zachary, 2/9/2014" Too much foul language and an intimate scene. The main character was not at all admirable and I couldn't relate to him. I read this book because it was the "One Book, One Denver" read, but I was not overly impressed by the selection (may have been selected because the book was written by a local author). "
— Courtney, 2/8/2014" Elegant prose; colorful descriptions of a wide variety of situations; and a well-defined main character I couldn't care less about. "
— Brett, 1/11/2014" thsi book started out with a strong and silent lead. but, for me, it seemed that he didn't have that much going on in his head after all. or maybe the war experience did it? hmm. excellent descriptives, though, of the fighting. "
— Kendall, 12/10/2013" Started slow, built to an astonishing climax. An unsettling depiction of one soldier's inner war. "
— Sandra, 11/17/2013" Sort of depressing. But not a bad read if you're into WWII. "
— John, 10/27/2013" A strong spiritual story of the emotions one goes through on the battlefield. Hopeless. Despair. Fear. All raw feelings. The only bravery is the debate to follow orders or not. A powerful ending and a beautiful first novel! "
— Terry, 5/20/2013" I learned to think again. I'm not sure I'm so happy about that, so I think I'll read it again, right away. "
— Todd, 4/13/2013" Fast read, not your typical WWII book. "
— Chad, 7/6/2012" Kind of a boring book. "
— Teddy, 6/20/2012" This war book is unique for that genre because it tells the story of one enlisted man's fear as he is expected to fight in France in World War II. I read this for One Book, One Denver. "
— Stacey, 5/22/2012" Short, intense, not the typical WWII book. "
— Heidi, 4/16/2012" This was a devastating description of the realities of the first world war. I was moved and shaken by it. I thought of all the things we put our young people through by virtue of the convictions and choices of the people we pick to run the country. "
— Karen, 1/19/2012" This book is truly a masterpiece, and I predict it will have a long future in literature classes. Very controlled, concise writing that depicts the absurdity of battle. War without the glory and the hype, where the only clear impulse is the will to survive. "
— Ken, 11/25/2011" Very good; I only wish I had read it before all of the One Book One Denver presentations. "
— Katie, 8/3/2011" Kind of a boring book. "
— Teddy, 9/23/2010" This book is truly a masterpiece, and I predict it will have a long future in literature classes. Very controlled, concise writing that depicts the absurdity of battle. War without the glory and the hype, where the only clear impulse is the will to survive. "
— Ken, 9/22/2010" a war novel for people who don't like reading about war. moving and haunting "
— Zachary, 9/15/2010" Terrific story by a local Denver author. "
— Dianne, 4/16/2010" Elegant prose; colorful descriptions of a wide variety of situations; and a well-defined main character I couldn't care less about. "
— Brett, 1/15/2010" This was a devastating description of the realities of the first world war. I was moved and shaken by it. I thought of all the things we put our young people through by virtue of the convictions and choices of the people we pick to run the country. "
— Karen, 7/3/2009" He's a very good writer but you gotta be ready to step into that <br/>dark and sultry place and I wasn't. It's a mood book. "
— Katherine, 3/2/2009" Sort of depressing. But not a bad read if you're into WWII. "
— John, 6/8/2008" Fast read, not your typical WWII book. "
— Chad, 4/30/2008" I learned to think again. I'm not sure I'm so happy about that, so I think I'll read it again, right away. "
— Todd, 2/26/2008" thsi book started out with a strong and silent lead. but, for me, it seemed that he didn't have that much going on in his head after all. or maybe the war experience did it? hmm. excellent descriptives, though, of the fighting. "
— Kendall, 1/28/2008