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lin71's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
gimpyknee's review against another edition
5.0
The best of a recent read of a quartet of autobiographical novels of World War I: Through the Wheat: A Novel of the World War I Marines by Thomas Boyd; Her Privates We by Frederic Manning; and Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger. Whether French, American, British, or German these soldiers of "The War to End All Wars" went through hell. Gabriele Chevallier served as a "poilus", an infantry soldier, and writes of all the horrors of this terrible conflict. A fascinating and informative read.
hallzy46's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
leslielu67's review against another edition
5.0
This book takes a similar path of "All Quiet," using first person narrative of a regular soldier who is injured, goes on leave back home, and returns to the trenches. This time the soldier is French, but the sentiments are the same: war is hell, and the civilians, nurses and the generals have no idea what the life of a soldier is like (and in fact would still romanticize it as an "adventure" filled with courageous acts). This French soldier describes to a nurse that his foremost emotion at the front is fear, and this statement is shocking to her. His narrative backs up this emotion. There is some humor - one brother in arms "channels" the thoughts of a certain French general. Longer and more detailed than "All Quiet."
cav241's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bsabis57's review against another edition
5.0
One of the more poignant testaments to the absurdity of war to be found. Here, the enemy is not the other side but the generals and industrialists who create it. While the book does bog down on occasions, there are some unforgettable gems. Important to read.
guinness74's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A stark reminder of the horrors of war, actually The Great War, that sadly did not do to remind the ‘officers in the rear’ nor countries that those kilometers, or even inches, were not worth the terror and destruction of a generation or more. Yes, trench warfare, it seems, is a thing of the past, but the slaughter of innocents continues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail