Reviews

John Lacroix is brought home from Spain, where he’s been fighting against Napoleon’s troops, in the British Army. Half-dead and severely traumatized, he slowly begins to heal everything but his mind, and when the summons to return to the army starts to reach his ears, he plans to disappear into Scotland. However, revenge is following him in the names of Calley and Medina, a English soldier and a Spanish soldier, sent to get him.

The writing in this book is lovely but I was a little bored through most of it. It should have been compelling, and had the right pieces, but it fell flat for me.

flodo's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

karenmr1601's review

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4.0

Wide ranging story

This was a good book with strong characters. Thought the ending was really good. Did they get to the boat or did something else happen to them? Andrew Miller is a really good writer.

schnauzermum's review

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3.0

This was a book club choice. I hadn’t read anything by Andrew Miller before and enjoy a well-written historical novel. It is set in the early 19th century. John Lacroix returns from the Peninsular Wars, sick and disturbed by what he has seen and, perhaps, what he has done. On the retreat to La Corunna, an atrocity took place in a Spanish village. This threatens cooperation between the British and the Spanish and the British authorities are determined that someone should pay the price for the actions of the British soldiers. That person is Lacroix. A British corporal and a Spaniard are dispatched to track him down. Lacroix doesn’t know this, but he does not wish to return to the wars just yet and so heads to the Scottish Islands. There he becomes involved with a free-thinking family, the Frends, but his pursuers draw ever nearer.

The plot is exciting and I think the book would have worked better for me as a straight thriller. The novel also seeks to ask questions about responsibility for actions and the extent to which past events shape present behaviour, but the characters were not sufficiently psychologically realised for this to be effective. In particular, I would have expected the interior life of Lacroix to be more fully explored. There were also a few elements that seemed to be added for more for historical colour than because they were important for plot, character or structure.

akabah's review

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adventurous medium-paced

4.75

I don't know why I've never heard of this book – just stumbled across it. Absolutely loved the historical asoect,, the adventure, the characters, the plot – all of it was brilliant. Highly recommended.

louloup_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

whiter's review

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I find Andrew Miller's writing to be unique, it doesn't make me think of any other writers. It's very evocative of place and atmosphere. The plot and characters in this story are not entirely convincing, but the writing is strong enough to make this a cut above the average.

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