Rating: 
Summary: Truly superb
Review: Birdsong is an immense novel, capturing the futility of war and the horrors of life on the battlefields of the First World War. In addition to this there is an intriguing love story of 20 year old Stephen Wraysford who begins an affair with the wife of a prestigious French textile baron whilst in France on a business trip. Seeing that she is trapped in a passionless, amotional marriage, he persuades her to return to England, but the onset of war and her pregnancy (which she keeps secret) doom the relationship and Wraysford is sent to the killing grounds of the Somme, where the carnage and unspeakable atrocities haunt him interminably. Faulks parallels this with Wraysford's daughter searching for memories of her Grandfather but the genuine interest is in the conflict, where such evocative images and unimaginable violence will test the resolve of even the hardiest of readers.This is Faulk's fourth novel and, having finished this, my appetite has been suitable whetted to try and read some more of his work. Personally I think that the quotation on the inside cover says more than any critic could truly attribute to this wonderful novel: 'When I go from hence, let this be my parting word, that what I have seen in unsurpassable.'
Rating:
Summary: Awesome.....
Review: Normally I wouldn't add my own comments to a book which has been reviewed so fully and received so much praise. In this case, having just finished the book I have to say that every word of praise is fully justified for this magnificent, disturbing and enriching novel. I found I really cared about all the characters, found myself caught up in the emotional traumas just as much as in the harrowing trench warfare (and underground warfare) scenes. All the more terrifying for being true, it is simply astonishing to think what ordinary people went through. I shall never ride the London Undergound again without thinking of the men who dug those tunnels. The descriptions of the night before the big Somme offensive, and the dreadful, pointless slow advance through a sky full of screaming metal, are some of the finest war literature I've ever read. Don't be put off by half-hearted reviews of other books by this author..Birdsong is a wonderful novel. If you read it, you'll never forget.
Rating:
Summary: amazing stuff
Review: I normally read fantasy(this year G.R.R.Martin,Steven Ericson)but after the bbc's 'one hundred top books' vote, me and a friend decided to give this a try.The reality I found between its pages totally puts the fantasy books to shame-both the warring parts and the dramatic.The prose is a level up,the depth of characters(Especially Weir and Wraysford) is something that the fantasy writers can't produce in their 2000-page trilogys.Like most of the other readers,I found the trench warfare sections rivetting but I do feel we needed the frst hundred pages of pre-war France to give perspective and also the 1970 stuff with the visits to the old codgers.This is undoubtedly the best book I have read for a few years.It has also encouraged me to get "Forgotten Voices of the Great War" by Max Arthur-abook of interviews with soldiers and stuff,some of which is actually like reading Birdsong again.I'd encourage you to buy both.
Rating: 
Summary: Believe the Hype!
Review: Sebastian Faulk's Birdsong is an outstanding read. The WWI parts of the novel are absolutely riveting, and I found myself reading very slowly during these parts, trying to digest all the emotion, outrage, futility and hopelessness Faulks conveys of this brutal war, especially the night/day of the Somme offensive. Stephen Wraysford is a great narrator, a flawed character who doesn't even know if he wishes to survive the war, but who feels compelled to try and "see it through" in order to comprehend how dark and low mankind can sink. Also, there is quite an erotic love story to start the book and some 1970s sequences where Wraysford's granddaughter tries to find more out about his life. While the love story introduction was very well-done and is an important part of the overall book, I could have done without the 1970s sequences, as I don't think they shed anymore light on Stephen's character or WWI, besides to show how little present society knows about the sacrifices made by those unfortunate people who lived/fought during WWI. But the "meat" of the book, the WWI sequences are outstanding. Faulks does a masterful job of capturing the mood of the War, particularly when describing the miners underneath the trenches. I think this book is a must read for those interested in love, war or simply great literature.
Rating:
Summary: An intricate rendition of life
Review: The back cover of "Birdsong" does little justice to the great work contained between its pages. The initial story, of Wraysford in France, is a sweet and passionate tale that grips the reader in its intensity. However, the true masterpiece of the novel has to be those scenes concerning the Great War. Perhaps, for American readers accostomed to Hollywood portrayals of insipid and unlikely accounts of life under fire, this novel will seem to lack spirit and entertainment. However, for those with a deeper appreciation of history, and a wider imagination, this book with enthrall, horrify and upset more than a film ever could. Faulks' prose evokes memories of war poets such as Grenfeld and Sassoon, and his story-telling is superb. The detailed descriptions af the trenches, of the miners tunnelling and of the aftermath of shelling are fascinating, and the battle scenes could provoke nightmares. Like some other reviewers, I was slightly disappointed by the final section of the book. However, there were one or two points there which were especially poignant, particularly regarding Wraysford's grandaughter's attempts to find her grandfather's comrades. The pathos of the old men who had been soldiers is hard to ignore. This is certainly the most thought-provoking, moving and incredible book I have read this decade.
Rating:
Summary: Shattering
Review: If you have never really understood the extent to which WWI was the most badly planned, stupidest, and inhumane conflict in history, "Birdsong" will leave you in no doubt of it. The account of trench warfare, of soldiers walking in suicidal ranks directly into machine gun fire because the command didn't know any better, is supremely realistic and horrifying but never overstated. The opening love story is masterfully subtle and insightful, and provides a civilized contrast to the monstrosity that comes later. You will not be able to put this book down.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I expected much more of this book. The first 100 pages read like a trashy romance novel...which is NOT what I was after. I have been extremely disappointed in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Why We Give Thanks
Review: I read Birdsong several months ago and am still haunted by the images of doom and life that Faulks weaves. Those of us fortunate to have been protected from war by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans until recently should experience this novel and its passionate descriptions of the unending Hell that was the trenches of WWI. While it could be depressing, Faulks gave me hope that brave men and women, no matter their nationality, freed us to carry on the values of liberty. Many left the war with deep psychological scars but allowed their successors to grow freely. Thanks to those who shared their lives as soldiers and as noncombatants.
Rating:
Summary: Not just a war story romance
Review: Birdsong goes much deeper than what is obvious at the outset: this is a story about a romance during WWI. Faulks goes much deeper by creating complex characters that we grow to really care about. The story leaped from the trenches of WWI to modern-day England without breaking the story thread. It's a dense novel, loaded with thick feelings and philosophy, and as such is probably not for everyone; it's not an easy or casual read. The landscape of both the book's story and the writing is alternately lushly idyllic or lice-ridden gritty. If you know nothing about the use of WWI tunnels when you begin reading this book, by the end you'll probably consider yourself an expert.
And when you've finished this book, hurry right out and buy Sebastien Japrisot's A Very Long Engagement. Together, both books contribute beautifully to our awareness of the nightmare of what many call The Great War.
Rating:
Summary: Truely Moving
Review: Birdsong is perhaps one of the most moving novels i have ever encountered. Sebastian Faulks carefully constructed the novel into 3 different sections, the first of which sets the scene and helps to explain the later emotions of Stephen Wraysford. The second part is dedicated to the soldiars life in the First World War and contains disturbingly vivid imagery. The last part depicts the life of Wraysford's granddaughter Elizabeth, who he sadly never becomes aware of. The purpose of the last two parts being intertwined throughout the novel, i imagine is intended to provide some anticipation and perspective, however unfortunately only serves as suspense, as you find yourself wanting to return to the war, due to the intense dullness of Elizabeth and her life. This ultimately leads to an anti-climax at the end. Despite this however, i felt a closeness to all the well rounded characters of the soldiars and the novel reduced me to tears on numerous occasions. I found myself unable to put the book down. It is well worth a read, just make sure you have a box of tissues handy!
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