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Summary: Perhaps better titled - "Silence les Enfants"
Review: At WAR Faulks tries hard to move you into the state faced by the trench men of the war but fails to make the characters exist in the process. You see more of the tunnel and the conditions than you do the men and their lives that fought in them. The trenches and tunnels seem to be the enemy, not the Germans.At LOVE Faulks flounders in the Mother child complex and seems unable to express himself on the subject of children born out of wedlock. When Robert has a child from Elizabeth the book seems to fall over and decide that the cycle will never end and that this new life was born from love and not self lust. Faulks treats children like the wavering ghost of Stephen seen by Firebrace on the pile of corpses. Dead but only only sustained on the will that un-owned souls possess. Love, what love ? Children, Oh the children, concieved not wanted, Oh the children, pitied not loved, Oh love, love of love and self, Oh the children, unwanted and without wings, unknown and no song.
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Summary: Outstanding prose; draws you in almost against your will.
Review: An almost sleepy start leads you through a clandestine love affair to the horrors of a war which should never have happened. The novel's power comes as much from the portrayal of human beings' ability to adjust to almost anything as from the description of the hell which makes it necessary. Those readers who criticize the sudden an unexpected 'jump' to the present day miss the point. By the time this comes we too have adjusted to the hell; the change of gear is a necessary device to wrench us away from that with which we have now almost become comfortable. Faulkes' rather too convenient, if slightly syrupy, creation of Elizabeth's pursuit of the truth can be forgiven for the way in which that truth is delivered. A must-read.
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Summary: GREAT BOOK!
Review: This wonderful novel is one of my all-time favorites. I was completely drawn into the world of WWI and the hellish life in and around the trenches. I highly recommend this novel to everyone.
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Summary: Part I & II captured me, however...
Review: I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. Part one was a brilliant love story. It was hard to switch gears to read Part two, until I realized it was a brilliant war story. However, I couldn't bring myself to swith gears again for Part three! It reads more like a book of three short stories than a complete novel. True, I didn't read the ending, which may have brought all 3 stories together, but by that time I was mentally exhausted! I think the author asks a lot of his reader - too bad I couldn't live up to his challeng
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Summary: WWI comes alive!
Review: This gifted author graphically describes life in the World War I trenches and the tunneling done from them. The story led me to understand the insanity, anguish and hopelessness that inevitably developed due to the seemingly unending war. Lest my description give you the impression that this book is too grim for you to read, I'll add that the book provides beautiful prose and enough character development to provide some diversion. Additionally, two other intertwined stories give the reader respite from the war although the changes from one time period to another seem too abrupt. In particular, the 1970's story is not as well developed and does not have the force of the war portions. I was particularly moved by one description. Stephen has been granted a much-needed furlough and during this time he has an experience in which he perceives himself as part of the unity of the world's creation. This beautiful passage leaves the reader with the feeling that redemption from the horror of this war is possible. Unfortunately, the hero must inevitably return to the trenches and the tunnels and continue his war efforts. The effect that the war had on those who fought in it is vividly brought to life.
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Summary: magnificent , moving , original writing
Review: This book is a fine example of original creative wrting which captures the reader from the opening pages . The characters are instantly credible and the emotional roller - coaster of love , passion , solitude , despair and fulfillment are beautifully written by Faulks against the backdrop of the horror and futility of war .
Rating: 
Summary: why do the characters not come to life?
Review: I gave up after 200 pages. Maybe it is the Dutch translation, but I had the strong feeling it is also the writer who is just not able to even bring his hero Stephen to life. I gave up after 200 pages and that does not happen very often.........
Rating:
Summary: Impossible to put down, one of my favourite books
Review: Beautifully written love story with harrowing descriptions of the First World War. The scenes underground are so well captured that I could hardly breath they were so claustrophobic. I didn't want it to end!
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Summary: A moving inquiry into one's ability to survive, and why.
Review: Faulks succeeded in demonstrating the dehumanization of warfare by creating an underground world filled with horror and yet completely believable even to someone who has never experienced such a place. The notion of this vile place existing just beneath the so-called normal world adroitly juxtaposed the two realities of war: those who fight it, and those who don't. He managed to reduce his characters to their most fundamental elements and yet allow me, the reader, to resonate with their eagerness to survive in spite of it all. At times I felt like I couldn't breathe as I read about the tunneling. This book gave me so much to think about. It's the best book I've read in a long, long time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Honestly, I picked up this book in a local bookstore because after I saw it's cover, I was curious. It's such a great book! I was drawn into it & read it nonstop until I finished it. It made me feel like I knew all the characters personally. It's a must-read!!
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