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emer_otoole's review against another edition
5.0
A must-read for anyone interested in Irish literature.
willo_roe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There is a lot to think about in this short book. Alexander is the isolated child of difficult parents in the big house. He becomes friendly with a boy from the village but life and war intervene.
Beautifully written
Beautifully written
ryanhoodie_'s review against another edition
5.0
Not sure if this is subtextually queer or if I’m projecting…
tine47's review against another edition
4.0
A very well written novella, exploring themes of friendship, compassion, class, and the true meaning of manhood during times of war.
It really did remind me of the final series of Blackadder, though.
It really did remind me of the final series of Blackadder, though.
newmanje's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it. But also it was not what I was expecting.
There was no chapters and it was a short book. The story was good. I'm really glad I didn't have to study it for my leaving cert.
The end just left me in a bit of shock. On reflection I should have realised. I struggled to understand a a good few parts due to the old language used.
There was no chapters and it was a short book. The story was good. I'm really glad I didn't have to study it for my leaving cert.
The end just left me in a bit of shock. On reflection I should have realised. I struggled to understand a a good few parts due to the old language used.
heidilmj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
trin's review against another edition
4.0
This was apparently required reading for the leaving cert for some of my Irish friends. I wish I'd been made to read such wonderful(ly slashy) things in high school! The plot revolves around WWI and class consciousness and male friendship, and it's a painful but beautiful story that I'm glad I spent my last day in Ireland sitting outside in Merrion Square reading. Even in less fantastic locations, this book still shines.
geegee_74's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully told story of friendship with an excellent sense of place and time.
laila4343's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking but beautiful. A friendship (homoerotic?) between an upper-class young Irishman, Alexander, and one of the workers on his family's estate, Jerry. Frowned upon by Alexander's dysfunctional family. Then WWI starts and they both go off to war. This novella is beautifully written but be prepared for a gut-punch. I'll definitely read more by Jennifer Johnston, a prolific Irish writer I'd never heard of before a couple of years ago.
(Read this for Cathy's Reading Ireland Month blog event.)
(Read this for Cathy's Reading Ireland Month blog event.)