A warming bromance from the trenches

This is well-written and well-spoken. It feels polished yet not necessarily finished. It gives us a nurturing relationship between two fellows that you wish became something more. However, in the times of war and indeed of the time itself, they felt compelled to trudge on and not express themselves fully.
A nice tale but I’m left wanting more.

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1 person found this helpful

Sad picture of life in the trenches

1914=1918 must have been hell on earth and all those who fort in were brave beyond ones imagination and this story paints a vivid pictute, well written and narrated.

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Strange Meeting

i simply loved this book, so beautifully written by Susan Hill. And the reader made the whole sad story come alive, with sensitivity. Thank you

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An extremely moving story.

I enjoyed this book, I know war is not enjoyable but the camaraderie was portrayed excellently. If you listen to this it makes you wonder why war? really worth a listen.

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War and Intimacy

The book takes its title from the Wilfred Owen poem of the same name. It is set mainly in the battlefields of the First World War. It is written very poetically and presents a stark contrast between the brutality and meaninglessness of war and the intimate and meaningful relationship between the two main characters, John Hiliard and David Barton. The relationship is one of love though it is not physical.

The book is wonderfully and engagingly read by Joe Jameson, whose reading is always a pleasure to listen to, regardless of the genre.

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Simultaneously heart warming and terrifyingly chilling

Any additional comments?

I'll start with the negatives, well, there is only one really and that was the narration. I found it hard to distinguish between characters during dialogue as the narrator did not put much effort into character voices. Otherwise he was Ok.

Right, now on to the positives, for which there were plenty. This audiobook captured the chilling aspects of world war from a trench, while at the same time conveying the magic that only very few of us humans ever get the chance to experience: true friendship.

In the last place possible you would expect to see friendship blossoming, two men with completely different backgrounds came together and it reminds us all that during those harsh years that were taken up by the world wars, there must have been hundreds of men who did strike up these close relationships and comarade. Hilliard and Blake form an irrevocable friendship bond in this moving portrayal which discusses themes of terror, trauma, hardship, endurance and friendship.

I urge you to give this a try. It is a Great story.

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8 people found this helpful

But what happened to David?

I found this book engaging, incredibly well written and quite unlike any of Susan’s other books in terms of genre. I am not happy however that it made me cry when I was out in public and five minutes later ended without letting us know what happened to a dearly loved protagonist. Although this is a work of fiction, I am worried about him and would like at least an essay to explain what became of him.

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A rare and intimate account of life at the Front.

A wonderful book and so sensitively read. WW1 comes relentlessly to life as the appalling suffering and useless waste of a generation is described. And the unbelievable stoicism and bravery of ordinary men. This is a keeper, worth listening to again.

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13 people found this helpful

Amazing insight into the emotional effects of war

I was amazed that a female could write so well about the emotions of these soldiers and their feelings `about their families in the context of war. Absolutely brilliant.

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2 people found this helpful

Stunning

Fascinating, enthralling, emotional and one of the best novels I've read or heard on the first World War

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