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World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

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SCW
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Preferred HF: Lately World Two or the time immediately before and after this period
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World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by SCW » Fri September 30th, 2016, 9:46 am

Hello

For a long time I have always preferred reading about WW2 to WW1. However I recently watched an excellent (albeit depressing) series called The Village. It was set during the first world war and I would just like to know if anyone can recommend any novels during this time?

Much appreciated.

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MLE (Emily Cotton)
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by MLE (Emily Cotton) » Fri September 30th, 2016, 1:00 pm

Try The Passing Bells. It's the first of a trilogy, haven't gotten around to the others, but I thought the first was very good indeed.
(Maybe the reason I only read the first was that, at the time, it was OOP, and I stumbled across a library copy.

SGM
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by SGM » Fri September 30th, 2016, 5:50 pm

Robert Graves' Goodbye to All That in part covers his experiences during WWI -- not actually sure it counts as a novel.

Siegfried Sassoon's Memoirs of an Infantry Officer.

Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth.

As MLE mentioned above, Pat Barker's Regeneration triology.
Currently reading - Emergence of a Nation State by Alan Smith

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red805
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by red805 » Fri September 30th, 2016, 9:38 pm

I liked the first book in Ken Follett's Century trilogy, Fall of Giants.

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Susan
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by Susan » Fri September 30th, 2016, 11:49 pm

Jennifer Robson's three novels deal with WWI and its aftermath: Somewhere in France, After the War is Over, and Moonlight Over Paris. The second and third novels each take a minor character from one of the previous novels and makes her the protagonist. I liked the second and third book better than the first.
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SCW
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Preferred HF: Lately World Two or the time immediately before and after this period
Location: Australia

Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by SCW » Sat October 1st, 2016, 1:12 am

Thanks for the recommendations. I will certainly have a look for them all.

SGM
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by SGM » Sat October 1st, 2016, 7:28 am

SCW wrote:Hello
However I recently watched an excellent (albeit depressing) series called The Village.
It had a sterling cast. Anything with Maxine Peake tends to be worthwhile.
Currently reading - Emergence of a Nation State by Alan Smith

SCW
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Posts: 286
Joined: October 2010
Preferred HF: Lately World Two or the time immediately before and after this period
Location: Australia

Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by SCW » Sat October 1st, 2016, 7:55 am

It was very well acted, especially the guy who played Joe Middleton.

I had no idea servants faced the wall when the Squire came down...More realistic showing of the relationship between master and servant than Downton Abbey.

Though I did love Downton as well.

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Misfit
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by Misfit » Sat October 1st, 2016, 2:56 pm

I second the rec on The Passing Bells. The second in the trilogy was good as well, DNF on the third which was WWII. https://www.goodreads.com/series/59229-passing-bells

Goodreads has a list going, https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9427.The_Great_War
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SGM
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Re: World War One Novels. Any Recommendations?

Post by SGM » Sat October 1st, 2016, 4:58 pm

SCW wrote:I had no idea servants faced the wall when the Squire came down.
Something of a generalisation. It implies a homogenity of local customs and practices which has never really existed, at least in the English part of the UK. There were so many variables which affected the relationship of masters and servants that there is no one rule which fits all.

Of course, WWI changed everything (and nothing), particularly for women who were now desperately needed for work outside the home. Hence the deal the Suffragettes did with the Liberal government which meant they were, to a limited extent, included in the extension of the franchise after the conclusion of hostilities.
Currently reading - Emergence of a Nation State by Alan Smith

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