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novelhistorian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A lovely novel, the more remarkable for being Duffy’s first; and as a historian of the First World War and authority on its fiction, I can attest to its authenticity. Duffy has researched her ground meticulously, but spending years in libraries and archives doesn’t guarantee a gripping narrative. Still, I defy anyone to find a dull, wasted page in this extraordinary tale. And much as I salute the author’s impressive grasp of detail, it’s how she deploys her knowledge that counts. Moreover, her seductive prose takes you by the hand and shows you what she wants you to see.
Duffy effortlessly captures the camaraderie of men at war, the search for meaning amid the violence, the tension and release of battle. Even readers who shy away from such stories may find much to keep them glued to this one. For those interested, Duffy has re-created the Battle of Vimy Ridge in Arras, a source of such national pride in Canada that she feared to tackle it, she writes. However, her authorial bravery pays off, and those scenes measure up to the task.
Oddly, though, her home-front narrative feels somewhat less compelling. It belongs, because Duffy links the parallel journeys of father and son, as each strives to understand who he is. But Duffy’s soldiers steal the show, hands down. Angus's wife's inner life never comes through (perhaps Angus might agree), and none of the women leave an echo behind them, except one in a cameo role. They’re not stick figures, by any means, just less full than the fighters. The home-front men do better than the women, but few have much scope, and though the Canada story has its moments, it doesn't reach as high.
Still, I consider The Cartographer of No Man's Land one of the best novels in recent years about the First World War.
Duffy effortlessly captures the camaraderie of men at war, the search for meaning amid the violence, the tension and release of battle. Even readers who shy away from such stories may find much to keep them glued to this one. For those interested, Duffy has re-created the Battle of Vimy Ridge in Arras, a source of such national pride in Canada that she feared to tackle it, she writes. However, her authorial bravery pays off, and those scenes measure up to the task.
Oddly, though, her home-front narrative feels somewhat less compelling. It belongs, because Duffy links the parallel journeys of father and son, as each strives to understand who he is. But Duffy’s soldiers steal the show, hands down. Angus's wife's inner life never comes through (perhaps Angus might agree), and none of the women leave an echo behind them, except one in a cameo role. They’re not stick figures, by any means, just less full than the fighters. The home-front men do better than the women, but few have much scope, and though the Canada story has its moments, it doesn't reach as high.
Still, I consider The Cartographer of No Man's Land one of the best novels in recent years about the First World War.
taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book to finish the year with. Angus McGrath, a Nova Scotian boat skipper, enlists to fight in WWI when his wife's brother goes missing at the front. Angus is also an artist so he hopes to work as a cartographer away from the front, but is instead sent to fight. His wife Hettie and son Simon Peter are left at home, along with his pacifist father Duncan.
The book alternates between events at the front and those back in Nova Scotia. The author writes vivid descriptions and evocative characters as the war changes their way of life. Angus must deal with the deaths of his men, the cold and despair at the front as well as the courage of men driven to kill or be killed. Simon Peter misses his father but is growing up as he deals with his irascible grandfather, his mother's growing independence, and his German teacher who is suspected of spying.
I really enjoyed the book, rating it a solid 4 stars until the end. I loved the ending which is probably a bit of a cliffhanger for some readers but felt like a perfect conclusion for me.
The book alternates between events at the front and those back in Nova Scotia. The author writes vivid descriptions and evocative characters as the war changes their way of life. Angus must deal with the deaths of his men, the cold and despair at the front as well as the courage of men driven to kill or be killed. Simon Peter misses his father but is growing up as he deals with his irascible grandfather, his mother's growing independence, and his German teacher who is suspected of spying.
I really enjoyed the book, rating it a solid 4 stars until the end. I loved the ending which is probably a bit of a cliffhanger for some readers but felt like a perfect conclusion for me.
aweichenlaub's review against another edition
4.0
I am not normally a reader of historical fiction. My preferred genres are sci-fi and fantasy. This book, however, ended up on my Kindle because my wife read it. She liked it so much I thought I'd better take a look.
The book grabbed me right away. Normally I enjoy a book that has a single interesting character, but this book is packed full of them. I found that I genuinely cared about half a dozen of the characters in this book and couldn't quit until I found out how it ended. The book is very well written and not predictable.
Definitely worth a read, even if you're not normally into historical fiction.
The book grabbed me right away. Normally I enjoy a book that has a single interesting character, but this book is packed full of them. I found that I genuinely cared about half a dozen of the characters in this book and couldn't quit until I found out how it ended. The book is very well written and not predictable.
Definitely worth a read, even if you're not normally into historical fiction.
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Since The Cartographer of No Man’s Land is set throughout the year of 1917, in France and in Chester Nova Scotia, just a few miles outside Halifax, I expected the Halifax Explosion to play some part in the story. I was disappointed that it rated only a passing reference near the end of the book.
Okay story.
Since The Cartographer of No Man’s Land is set throughout the year of 1917, in France and in Chester Nova Scotia, just a few miles outside Halifax, I expected the Halifax Explosion to play some part in the story. I was disappointed that it rated only a passing reference near the end of the book.
Okay story.
kimb2's review against another edition
5.0
I was initially drawn to this book because it is set partially in Nova Scotia. This is an amazingly poignant story of a man who goes off to war, not because he believes in the cause, but because he needs to find his brother in law and best friend, who enlisted and has not been heard from in a long time. It turns out that Angus does believe in the cause and as events unfold, all he wants to do is fight with his men.
It's a story of war and tolerance and understanding. To underscore this point, Angus points out that "we cannot know the whole poem from a single word, nor a life from a single act." It's gripping and very well researched. The descriptions of the fighting to take Vimy Ridge are particularly detailed and harrowing.
While Angus is off fighting, his young son, Simon is left at home in Nova Scotia trying to figure out how to get on while facing all sorts of problems, not least, the worry over the fate of his Father and Uncle and then his friends dislike of his teacher, for the mere fact he has a German last name, and finally dealing with how war effects people when their part in it is over.
If I could give this book more than five stars, I would.
It's a story of war and tolerance and understanding. To underscore this point, Angus points out that "we cannot know the whole poem from a single word, nor a life from a single act." It's gripping and very well researched. The descriptions of the fighting to take Vimy Ridge are particularly detailed and harrowing.
While Angus is off fighting, his young son, Simon is left at home in Nova Scotia trying to figure out how to get on while facing all sorts of problems, not least, the worry over the fate of his Father and Uncle and then his friends dislike of his teacher, for the mere fact he has a German last name, and finally dealing with how war effects people when their part in it is over.
If I could give this book more than five stars, I would.
sarahbowman101's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't the best book I've read about Canadian experiences during WWI, but it isn't the worst either. Angus is a pacifist when the war breaks out and does his best to stay out of the action. But when his wife's brother goes missing in action, Angus decides that something must be done and signs up thinking that he will be able to be a cartographer behind the scenes. Left behind in Nova Scotia are Angus' quiet wife, his son and his severe father. The storylines alternate between the battle front, where Angus gets sent, and the small fishing village.
The setting of both the front lines and the village life is well done and I enjoyed the details of both. I also liked the two main characters of Angus and his son who is coming of age on the other side of the ocean without a father. The mood is pretty sombre, but I thought that it felt more atmospheric than oppressive. And while I don't normally have a problem with slow stories, this suffered from super slow syndrome. The middle dragged for me, and I was happy that the story got more engaging once Angus returned from the war and thought that it could have been further explored. And while the characters of Angus and his son were strong, Angus' wife is a complete after thought which I think suffered the story.
There is a lot going on here and the themes are sort of all over the place. Further complicating a nice sweet story unnecessarily was the story of the brother in law at the front. Completely unnecessary and the conclusion of that storyline was awkward and melodramatic.
The setting of both the front lines and the village life is well done and I enjoyed the details of both. I also liked the two main characters of Angus and his son who is coming of age on the other side of the ocean without a father. The mood is pretty sombre, but I thought that it felt more atmospheric than oppressive. And while I don't normally have a problem with slow stories, this suffered from super slow syndrome. The middle dragged for me, and I was happy that the story got more engaging once Angus returned from the war and thought that it could have been further explored. And while the characters of Angus and his son were strong, Angus' wife is a complete after thought which I think suffered the story.
There is a lot going on here and the themes are sort of all over the place. Further complicating a nice sweet story unnecessarily was the story of the brother in law at the front. Completely unnecessary and the conclusion of that storyline was awkward and melodramatic.
abookishtype's review against another edition
3.0
Angus McGrath has always lived for other people. In Snag Harbor, Nova Scotia, he plies a coastal trader boat for his father. He keeps his wife on an even keep. He cares for a wayward cousin's child. And when his brother-in-law, Ebbin, disappears after the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, Angus signs up with the Canadian Expeditionary Force to go looking for him. His recruiter promises that he will be assigned safely behind the lines as a cartographer—but that plan goes awry immediately. As P.S. Duffy's The Cartographer of No Man's Land opens, McGrath has been promoted to lieutenant to replace the hundred of dead officers and shipped of to the front...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
5.0
Short review posted on Book Likes:
http://jeanettetherefugee.booklikes.com/post/706040/france-and-nova-scotia-during-world-war-one
http://jeanettetherefugee.booklikes.com/post/706040/france-and-nova-scotia-during-world-war-one
karenks's review against another edition
5.0
Very much enjoyed this book! The parts in France on the battlefields were vivid and heartbreaking. So much to talk about in this book, can't wait to meet the author at Booktopia 2014!