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Each week Alyce @ At Home with books talks about one of her fav reads.
This was one of the best reads of 2008, perhaps the best.
A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry
Told in Sebastian Barry's characteristically beautiful prose, A Long Long Way evokes the camaraderie and humour of Willie and his regiment, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, but also the cruelty and sadness of war, and the divided loyalties that many Irish soldiers felt. Tracing their experiences through the course of the war, the narrative brilliantly explores and dramatises the events of the Easter Rising within Ireland, and how such a seminal political moment came to affect those boys off fighting for the King of England on foreign fields - the paralysing doubts and divisions it caused them. (fantasticfiction)
This was a beautiful book. He writes in a lyrical way that reminds me of the WWI poets. He describes the horror, the mud, the cold, water, death, gas, the green world behind the mask. But at the same time he manages to capture the beauty, friendship and hope. The prose is wonderful, the the words just float through the pages.
It was some time ago I read it but I do remember how much I loved it, and how much I thought about the WWI poets while reading it. It's some of the most horrific poems I have read and at the same time the most beautiful. Therefore this is a book I will always remember.
You sure have a way of finding books that are very intriguing and are out of my normal comfort zone to read. But the great thing... they are always amazing books!! Keep up the great work!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
I don't think that I would have picked this one off the shelf without your recommendation, but I'm now adding it to my wish list. It sounds like a very good read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book, that I'll never read. Just too heavy a topic for me.
ReplyDeleteCecile,
ReplyDeleteThat's good, everyone needs to come out of their comfort zone sometimes at least. Shake things up.
Or perhaps it's just me that thrives with many genres, I get bored easily.
Alyce,
I have an interest with WWI after discovering the poets in an English class about poets. And had to pick up this book and he sure did a great job
Carol,
ReplyDeleteIt was sure heavy and sad, which is strange since I can't handle sad. But it was just so poetic. I love great language
It sounds like a sad book but also like a must read. I really really want to read it. Thank you for spotlighting it.
ReplyDeleteLilly,
ReplyDeleteIt was truly sad but yes a must read. The horror in those trenches, I do recommend it
Thanks for the recommendation. I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds right up my alley. I'll have to keep it in mind.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Anna,
ReplyDeleteYes I do think you would enjoy it. Do check it out, such a great read.
This sounds like an excellent story. Thanks for revisiting it for us!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one yet but I'll be looking for it now. Great review!
ReplyDeleteStaci,
ReplyDeleteit was truly wonderful, and the lingering sadness
Wrighty,
Do look, it was epic and the language is beautiful
Sounds like a sad yet intriguing story. A topic that I never reqad about or considered before.
ReplyDeleteThanks B!
Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteDo read it, a truly wonderfully beautiful read and so sad