Rating: 
Summary: Incredible
Review: Listen closely. I read a lot of books, especially war-related fiction and literature. I only write reviews of books which I strongly feel satnd out from the rest. "Birdsong" is an incredible novel. The writing style, dialogue, and plot construction are all top-notch. This is a classic love and war novel. The description of WWI trench warfare is striking; and Faulk's observations on the reality and futility of war will get you thinking long and hard. The sex scenes are beautifully described and Faulks manages to evoke an equal balance of wild lust and passionate love. Also, Faulk's moving back and forth between WWI and 1970's is masterfully done, showing the differences between generations. Not a boring chapter in this book. The people who criticized this book simply do not know what good writing and literature is. They were probably looking for something more shallow and simplistic. This book will go down as one of the best novels of the later 20 centruy and they will all feel like the simpletons they are. Take the time to lose yourself in this story and you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Birdsong- Not all is fair in love and war
Review: After reading the "Girl from the Lion d'Or" I was entranced by how poignant and soulful the characters of Sebastian Faulks were.
After about 10 pages of Birdsong I recognised the same skill for character evoking but set in a different atmosphere. The opening sequence of the book is set just prior to the first world war and comprises of a lustful and tragically erotic love story. Faulk's explores the human emotions of Stephen and Isabelle and taps into personality traits that can be identified in everyday life. He then takes things a step further and takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of longing, adultery, fulfillment and eventually despair. The book then takes a twist and we rejoin Stephen in the trenches of WW1. Stephen has changed since his outings with Isabelle, the war with all its suffering and fatalities have stripped him of his once stoical nature. The plot revolves around the front line and underground tunnel systems dug by sappers. Although the scenery changes little,(brief interludes of leave for the troops and one visit for Stephen to Amiens)there develops a look in to the arcane life of the soldier that will become entangled in the reader's thoughts forever.
Rating:
Summary: The whole world should read this book
Review: I had a great problem getting into this book as it didn't grab me within the first two chapters. I ended up putting it down for two years before taking it on holiday to Cyprus where I tried again. Thank God this time I read it from end to end. I can only say that for me it is the finest book I have ever read on the Great War. I am a 48 year old copper who has seen my own (microscopic in comparison) share of blood and mayhem but this book was so evocative of the terrible sacrifices made by British troops during this horrific war that I found myself with tears running down my face on four occasions. When I finally finished it I was left with a feeling of complete and utter desolation, such was the success with which Faulks conveyed the truth about human conflict. If you never read any other book on World War One, either factual or fictional read this. If we all did and had the effect it had on me there would never be a war again. I cannot stress too highly what a wonderful wonderful book this was and the comments appended here by our American cousins should be treated with the contempt they deserve.
Rating: 
Summary: overrated
Review: I bought this book about four months ago after reading the rave reviews this book generated from other people. I enjoyed Faulk's book,The Fatal Englishman, but I did not enjoy this book. I thought it to be wimpy and full of sap in the bad sense. I did not think its battle scenes terrific. If readers want to read about WWI, I think they should read, All Quiet On The Western Front!
Rating:
Summary: Sebastian Faulks aka Jackie Collins
Review: After reading this book, I can only conclude either that Faulks' family members also happened to have reviewed his book, or that he knows deep, dark secrets about all of them. This book is simply awful. Farcical love scenes, ridiculously gory battle scenes, undeveloped characters, a nonsensical transition to a descendant's search for her past --"Gosh, I wonder what could be in these old trunks!"-- this was a complete waste of valuable time. I actually threw this book away.
Rating:
Summary: Great book on WWI
Review: You don't see many books on WWI. It sure describes the horrific trench warfare. The ending was rushed and rather overdone, but to get a flavor for being on the front line it ranks right up there. Check out Enemy at the Gates for a great non-fiction account of Stalingrad.
Rating:
Summary: An eye opener in more ways than one...
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, enough to recommend it to my bookclub. At first I was frustrated by the change of time and venue, as I never felt ready to move away from the characters, but each section had me wanting more of that section. I learned how much I didn't know about the specifics of WWI and was fascinated by the descriptions of bravery and fear. It is not an "easy read" but one worth the effort.
Rating: 
Summary: This was a love story?
Review: I just read this novel after reading the superlatives heaped upon it by the professional reviewers and the Amazon community...and I can only say, this was a disappointment. The "love" story between Stephen & Isabel was not convincing! They just seemed to be lusting after each other, not love. Many Amazon reviewers found Elizabeth's story to be an intrusion; I found it more interesting than not (I kept thinking, how little we know about our grandparents and the times they lived through, and what has been lost). I thought Elizabeth's visit to Brennen, in the Veteran's home, one of the most moving incidents in the book. I also thought the stories of Firebrace, Brennen, Weir et al. were more interesting & moving, particularly Firebrace's love for his little son, and all were more realistic, somehow, than any part of Stephen's story. So, in all, I would give the book 3 or 4 stars for the writing of the WWI sections, but would give it 0 stars for the love story of Isabel & Stephen because that just didn't ring true. (Frankly I'd rather read about the love story between Isabel & Max -- those of you who read this book know what I mean.)
Rating:
Summary: Well written, but too much detail on trench warfare
Review: This book is well written, but has too much information about trench warfare. The first part of the book was very interesting, but then changes over in part two to World War 1. It may be a great book to read for men, but I don't think I would recommend it for women.
Rating: 
Summary: What did the reviewers read?? Not the same book as me
Review: I bought this book because i had just returned from a tour of the battlefields of Belgium and northern France with my husband, who is an Army Engineer. I have to say that the batlle scenes in this book are decently written, and while nothing can ever really give a truly accurate picture of what those men had to go through, at least Faulks gives it a passable go. But i am sorry, that is the only good thing about this book. My copy was covered with reviewer's glowing praise. One said it was 'an erotic love story'. Hello?? Just because the two characters engaged in the central love story did 'it' in something other than the missionary position, it does not automatically qualify as 'erotic'. I found the whole affair badly written, unbelievable, and thought that it gave nothing to the story. What was the point? Secondly, what was the point of including the story based on Wraysford's (the central character)gradndaughter? I felt that it gave no insight into either the WWI sections, or the personalities involved. I think that this book had a lot going for it, but the good bits just got lost in the attempt to package it as something other that a WWI battlefield tale. And i think that there are some reviewers/literary critics out there that obviously don't get to read much good fiction!
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