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Summary: riveting
Review: Wow! I just finished this book after reading it every spare minute for the last 2 days. I did not want to put it down. The beginning of this novel is probably the best introduction to a group of characters that I have ever read. Not only for its character development but for the rhythm of the language. A spectacular achievement considering this is translated from the original French.This is a love story and an intriguing mystery as well as an indictment of the carnage of WWI. And in the midst of the climax of the story, the author gives further detail to a minor character (Mathilde's mother cancelling the cheese course) that had me laughing out loud. How did he know that I needed a break in the tension? This is a well told story that had me enthralled from beginning to end, deepened my definition of love, taught me more about WWI (Pat Barker's trilogy is fabulous for this also, and just as fascinating) and caused me to appreciate again the privilege of reading great literature and all the benefits truly great books bring to life. A must read.
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Summary: Addendum To My Previous Review
Review: In my previous review of this book, I mentioned Pat Barker's WWI trilogy and incorrectly referred to it at "Resurrection" when in fact it is the "Regeneration" trilogy. I apologise for the error.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting, engrossing and very, very, human.
Review: This is one of the best WWI stories I have read, including Pat Barker's Resurrection trilogy. The rhythm of the opening section, with it's repeated Watch Out For The Wire holds you immediately. You want to know what is going to happen, not just to the prisoners, but to all of the men whose eyes stare out at them from the trenches. The writing is beautiful; the characters unforgettable. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Read it!
Review: A wonderful book. Read it! One of the two best books I have ever read about WWI. The other is "Soldier of the Great War" by Mark Helprin
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Summary: The best of S.japrisot.
Review: Like your other reviewers,I loved this novel,so much so that Ihave reread it twice.Next,I began three of his other books. I have been sorely disappointed.The rest is pulp. How could the same author write such a sublime Engagement and such potboilers?
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Summary: A good story, but difficult to follow
Review: The storyline in this book is great and the author certainly does a good job educating the reader in the psychological horrors of war. However, the story is often difficult to follow with lots of new names appearing throughout that are hard to keep track of. It is by no means a "fast read", but if your willing to really concentrate and wade through it, its a pretty good one.
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Summary: Pick a long weekend to read this, you won't put it down!
Review: I chose this book after hearing it reviewed on NPR. It touched so many feelings, the horror of war, the comedy of errors, the discipline of the military, the passion of young love, the depth of maternal love, the loyalty of friends, the determination to seek the truth. I found it hard to believe this book was authored by a man! Definitely on my list of books to bring along to a desert island.
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Summary: YOU NEED TO BUY THIS BOOK. and read it of course.
Review: it is rare to find an author who could successfully and gracefully blend mystery, romance, poetry, and history into one glorious novel. buy this book! buy this book! and again, buy this book.
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Summary: One of the best and yet not sappy love stories!
Review: I was assigned to read this novel for my college humanities class. I was immediately drawn into the intense and mysterious love story. I loved the characters, especially the strong and intelligent Mathilde who goes on a quest to seek answers. It is worth the time to read and I recommend this excellent book to everyone and I rarely give my kudos. I also have to answer to the riddle on the last page. Hossegor 1989, and Noisy-sur-ecole 1991 is where the places and years when the author started and finished his novel, not the deaths of Manech and Mathilde as some have speculated.
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Summary: A Romantic Quest
Review: It's a beautiful story told through the soul of a passionate and persistent young heroine. Her lost fiance is named Cornflower, not because of his youth (as indicated in another review) but because of his clear blue eyes. This comes from the French word for cornflower, "bleuet." These clear blue eyes and innocent soul frozen in boyhood are the quest that holds the story together. Some will find it hard to follow because of the jigsaw-like pieces that come from multiple voices, through letters and a few personal meetings. But it holds together and in the end, a believeable sense of peace descends... bringing an end to "the Great War" and a new life for those who survived. I read it in French and English, and it should be noted that the translation, as always, leaves a few things out. It also helps to have a sense of French geography (or a map) to appreciate the full range of the quest.
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