This week's topic is top ten books with 'X' setting and the idea is to choose your own setting. I've not talked about war books too much yet on this blog even though they are my absolute favourite (hands down winner type thing). I find it really hard to explain what it is about novels written during a war or about a war I find so intriguing. Whilst the majority of war novels grab me, it is WW1 novels that I really cannot resist. I find WW1 so unbelievably addictive. It feels weird and slightly inappropriate to call it an addiction but that is what it can feel like. And I don't think I'm the only one. Pat Barker has written some of the most exceptional historical fiction about the First World War and I know she has described it in a similar way and Susan Hill described it as being haunted. But, someone stop me before I get way too involved...I'm trying to save the gritty enthusiasm for a separate post (yes, you should be excited).
So, my top ten books set in World War 1:
Regeneration by Pat Barker
This is the first of the triology and my favourite of the three because it is set in Craiglockhart Hospital and I have a little literary obsession with Craglockhart (I blame uni). I would highly recommend all of Pat Barker's war novels, each one is amazing and heartbreaking.
My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young
Heart pulled out, sown back in again, pulled back out...and on it goes. So good. And such an interesting subject.
Not So Quiet...Stepdaughters of War by Helena Zenna Smith
Written in the 30's, this is one of my favourite female war novels. It is not strictly accurate but the emotions are there. Plus it is a very clever response to All Quiet on the Western Front.Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
I have no words. THE FEELS. I was inconsolable for days.
The Forbidden Zone by Mary Borden
Not for the faint-hearted. This collection of stories still gets to me and I've not read them for over a year. They come right from the front line and Borden does not hold back.
Strange Meeting by Susan Hill
This had me in tears on the tube. Need I say more?!
Half of the Human Race by Anthony Quinn
A delightful mix of war and suffrage. All of his novels are wonderful.
The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West
Favourite novel ever. The writing, the story, the characters, the ending...oh my days, it's just too much.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
It's a classic for good reason. Everyone should read it and if you don't cry at THAT horse bit there is something wrong with you.
Journey's End by R.C. Sherriff
This is a play rather than a novel but it just has to be listed here. When I saw this performed I was overcome with convulsive sobs. Then I had to pull myself together to interview the actors...Read it, then see it, then read it again.I realise my description of most of these books involves some form of sobbing or heart-wrenching emotion but WW1 has that effect on me every time. But that does not make my obsession falter for even a second. I don't think I'll ever get over it.
Has anyone read any of these? Or have any to recommend? I am always on the lookout for books to quench my WW1 thirst.
