A compelling and account of WW1, beautifully read

Where does Goodbye to All That rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This, to my surprise, is one of the best audiobooks I have ever heard. Rather ashamed of never reading it before because of my horror of violence, I found the book heartbreaking certainly, but told with calm and even humour at times. This meant that the appalling conditions could be taken in because of the lightness of touch of the writing.Details were fascinating. I hadn't realised, for example, that Robert Graves had become friends with Siegfried Sassoon and others during the war.It is interesting that Graves' story begins with his hard experiences of public school life - and this too perhaps explains why so many heroic young men from such schools who flocked to be officers were able to accept the nasty brutish experience of France. But he makes sure too that we see the bravery and resilience of the men - and how their war was often made so much worse by the insensitivity and even idiocy of the heirarchy whose uniforms never saw blood and mud. The section on the language and attitudes he becomes aware of from the jingoists back in England makes one want to weep.Robert Graves was one of the very few young officers who survived the war - and even afterwards his post war experience makes it clear that the mental suffering of those years was very great even for men like him who were able to keep their sense of humour and perspective. He never once betrays any self pity - and his evident fury at the waste of life caused by the unnecessary prolonging of the war after 1915 is only quietly expressed - and is all the more powerful for that.

What other book might you compare Goodbye to All That to, and why?

It has something of the flavour of "Birdsong" - but what makes it so remarkable is that, unlike Sebastian Faulkes' excellent novel, "Goodbye to all That" is a first hand series of true memories, written with honesty and humour, compassion for others and no plea for pity for himself. The scenes of actual battle are matter of fact - and all the more powerful for that.

Have you listened to any of Martin Jarvis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Martin Jarvis is very easy to listen to and he is one of my favourite narrators.His range - from William stories to the horrors of war - is impressive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Sometimes one wanted to stop to let parts of the account sink in. I listened mainly while walking in the country. I think I heard it all in about five sessions.

Any additional comments?

The UK Minister of Education has suggested in this centenary year that accounts of WW1 that emphasise to the public the horrors are only because "left wing academics" choose to "feed myths" about World War One. One wonders if he has ever actually read first hand accounts such as this. Robert Graves, Siegfried Sasson, Wilfred Owen and others, whose medals proved their outstanding bravery, were all too aware of the hell on earth of the trenches - because they were there in the bloody thick of it. Now more than ever we must take on board the message of their writing and not allow politicians to enlist our "patriotism" for their own ends, mere trade advantage or empire building.

17 people found this helpful

Lots missing

If you are intending to listen to this audio book alongside reading the physical book I do not recommend this version to you. There were multiple times where I lost track of the story as huge chunks of the text were not mentioned. The main plot of the narrative is there however lots of little details are cut out which I believe take away from the overall experience of listening to the story.

20 people found this helpful

A beautifully written memoire

This book, written of a time one hundred years ago, captures everything from the mood to the idiosyncrasies of the time as though Graves is sat in the room telling you about it. The performance is sublime for being able to carry that off, particularly with such a journey through the inner thoughts of one of the great poets, as his mind becomes shaped by war

3 people found this helpful

Essential reading

Every British person should read this novel which recreates the life of a ww1 soldier.

3 people found this helpful

One of the greatest autobiographies of all time

What did you like most about Goodbye to All That?

Honest account of public school pre 1914, plus life on the Western Front. Particularly like the interaction between Graves and Bertrand Russell, told by the author. Both agreed the WWI was "wicked nonsense", yet had completely different attitudes to how to behave. Russell went to prison for his anti war protests, while Graves showed great bravery fighting in the trenches. All the more fatalistic, because Graves' mother was German and he had relatives fighting on the other side of the Trenches.

What does Martin Jarvis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Martin Jarvis reads well, a sardonic, well paced English voice.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A eulogy to sadder times

3 people found this helpful

Amazingly Inspiring

Delivers the full horror of war and the morals of the time in so short a space of time. Inspiring to hear the writer's voice through such believable narration.

2 people found this helpful

Superb

An incredible insight into war time proceedings, and the affect it had upon those serving.

What an interesting story and early life had by Graves, detailed and packed with all the emotions needed for a gripping read/listen.

Fabulously written, and Martin Jarvis did a marvellous job of narration. The perfect tone and eloquence required, for the language used by Graves.

Would highly recommend.

Beautiful narration /story, definitely recommended

Definitely recommended, beautiful narration of a very well written, and at times witty, poignant book

Not the full text!

I was disappointed that I used up a free credit on this book. It was for university and unfortunately small and large random sections of text are just not included. This made it harder to follow and left me scrambling for the right page whilst trying to listen still. Furthermore rather than having 31 chapters like the actual book. This one has 4. Making it even harder to find where you are.
The actual story though- as a war memoir very enjoyable and often funny. Modernist in its fragmentation and frankness. Expect fictional non fiction!

A load of old twaddle

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Absolutely nothing

Has Goodbye to All That put you off other books in this genre?

No, just anyone from the interwar years

Would you be willing to try another one of Martin Jarvis’s performances?

Yes, not his fault Graves' life is much less interesting than his novels ;-)

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Apathy

Any additional comments?

No