So I put it on the to-read list and recently I got the chance to read it through and unsurprisingly it was a great read. Gorgeously told by Johnston, this book is rich in Irish history and also in the history of what life was like in the war in Flanders. The protagonist of this book is Alec and it is told from his point of view. Alec is an upper-class Protestant who becomes friends with Jerry who is a working-class Catholic. They both grow up together in Wicklow and eventually find themselves in the British Army.
Their friendship is wonderful to read. There is such a strong connection and bond between them that bypasses class and another delicate boundary of religion in Ireland at that time. Love is a major theme in the book. I certainly felt that they were in love but neither told each other how they felt.
Still actions speak louder than words and there is so many moments in this book where you see the sacrifices they make for each other and the love they feel for each other. Class is a major theme in this book. It all is rather ridiculous but to the people saying it they seem to find it valid and right.
It does seem to be all about power and appearances. Another major theme of this book is family life and dynamics. Alec comes from quite a cold home mostly because his mother is domineering. She seems unhappy with her own life and not in love with his father like she used to be. However she is very well-written. So much so that you feel the tension from the home just through the pages.
However much Alec tries to please her, nothing seems enough. I think Johnston wrote these family dynamics very well and gave a very clear picture of both of their home lives. War is also a major theme of this book.
We get a great insight into what life was like in Flanders even many decades later and the struggles faced in vivid detail and accounts. We also get an insight into the varying reasons why people joined. Alec joined to please his Mum, Jerry to gain experience to fight for the Nationalist cause and Bennett, an English officer who Alec shares a room with, to be a hero.
They are all young and are now in a situation which it seems clear none of them are ready for with a lot of older people who are putting a lot of pressure on their shoulders and should know better. Johnston wrote a very authentic book about this period. Anyone from Ireland like me who knows the history of Ireland knows what people went through in those days seeking independence and been ruled by the Catholic religion which had more power than the state at that time.
The book is weaved together brilliantly and seamlessly. The ending of this book is sad and powerful without giving too much away. It seems at first to come out of nowhere and then you realise the whole plot has been working up to this conclusion.
Stunningly written but have a few tissues ready … This is a wonderful read. Very naturally written with great descriptions. A must-read. At only pages long, this novel packs a punch. I picked this book up on a whim- it was prescribed on the Leaving Cert course and while I didn't study it, I was intruiged By the promise of horses, and by the fact that it was written by an Irish Author. First of all, I loved Johnston's writing style, it was lyrical and had a beauty to it, yet it never felt 'wordy' or unnecessary.
It created a sense of loneliness which permeated throughout the novel, while also providing beautiful descriptions of At only pages long, this novel packs a punch. It created a sense of loneliness which permeated throughout the novel, while also providing beautiful descriptions of rural Ireland, which contrasts to the haunting reality of the trenches we see later on.
Secondly, the plot, wassimple yet captivating. The focus of the story is the friendship,between Alec and Jerry, a friendship which is forbidden due to their different social standings. The young men, however, rekindle their friendship years later, when they are enlisted to fight in the trenches. Even so they are still separated, now by rank rather than class. The way Johnston executes this story is mesmerising. Unlike most war stories which focus on the graphic violence of conflict, Johnston focuses on the more humane consequences; the loneliness, pain and grief of battle.
Finally, what makes this novel stand-out most of all is the endearing and heartbreaking friendship that exists between Alec and Jerry, and later between Officer Bennett as well. Despite all the challenges that Alec and Jerry face, their friendship and simple dreams endure.
Ultimately the bond between them proves stronger than that that exists between man, country and king. Honestly, this book has left a long-lasting impression on me, and I would highly recommend that everyone reads it. May 14, Ana rated it it was amazing Shelves: historical-fiction , wwi.
God this book I've read a lot of WWI literature, written both by the war generation and by those who came after it, but nothing has reached quite the level of delicate emotional intensity as this. I think it's because the focus of the book is on the relationship between Alec and Jerry rather than more broadly on the war, so even in a mere pages you get so attached to the characters and the love between them.
There are strong parallels with Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men which I cannot believe were simply coincidental, but for me predicting the ending didn't stop the novel being as powerful as it was. The shortness of the book means that every line is so perfectly crafted that the last few pages had my heart breaking over and over and over again. Would highly recommend reading it in one go if possible, because it's the kind of book that needs to be experienced in one heart-wrenching burst.
Mar 19, Amy rated it really liked it. The book however is poignant. The story is of two Irish youths who go off to fight World War 1. They are childhood friends but Alex is from a well to do family and Jerry is from a common lower class family. Then once they go to war, they also are treated differently, as Alex is immediately made an officer despite his lack of skill because of his social status and Jerry a private due to his.
This is a novella, just under pages, but Johnston is able to weave together a touching ode to friendship in those few pages. As a war book, you really get the dehumanization and darkness that war brings.
I really enjoyed it though and the last line may be one of my recent favorites. Jennifer Johnston is an extremely talented writer. I believe this book is now out of print but if you see it at a used book sale or thrift store, pick it up.
May 13, Jane Willis rated it really liked it. A beautiful book, witty and tragic in equal proportions. The storyline was secondary to the quality of writing, in fact had it been stronger I would have given this the full 5 stars, but this book isn't about the story, it's about the way it is told.
A beautiful tale of rural Irish life at the turn of the 20th century, of childhood friendship and family relationships, which moves effortlesly into a gruelling description of life in the trenches during the First World War.
One thing I loved about A beautiful book, witty and tragic in equal proportions. One thing I loved about this book was that although there was no attempt to "write in an Irish accent" which always makes stories difficult and stilted to read, simple use of phrases meant I could still hear the speakers' voices in my head and differentiate between nationalities and classes.
It takes real skill as a writer to nake that work for me! I am really amazed that this book has been around since the s and yet I had never heard of it before. It deserves to be much better known. Second reading. Upped rating from 3 to 4 stars. To the contrary, they were excellent, generous hosts, and presumably lively guests, but when that side of their lives was quiescent they each retreated into some kind of wilderness of their own. Their only meeting place Second reading. Their only meeting place was the child.
War and friendship versus duty are explored showing how war imposes a false and cruel ethic on people. It is people like you and Crowe who cannot see the wood from the trees who cause untold damage amongst those who see nothing at all. Those who must be led. Alec names his mare Morrigan. A very good read. The Eye of A Miniaturist More than a short story, but shorter perhaps than a novel, this novella deals with two lads from the same Irish village one hundred years ago.
One is the son of the manor house, born to privilege and expectations, while the other is poor, with litter education and fewer prospects. Both go off the same day to the Great War, one an officer, the other, a private, and it is questionable if both shall return.
Give reasons for you answer. Could you help? Thank u. Alec never receives actual love or companionship from anyone in his life. He is miserable from start to finish. He is only happy when he is with Jerry. The loss of Jerry leaves him with nothing so he gives up on his life. True friendship gave him a reason to exist. How do you do a question which states that if you could meet a character from the novel who would you choose and what would you say and what would you ask them?
Any tips on how to ans these? I would choose Alicia. You focus on the comment she made about how she tried to love Fredrick once. Then look at asking her why this changed focusing on how horrible she has become towards him. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email.
Notify me of new posts via email. How many miles to Babylon — Relationships Two types: 1. The use of the child suggests a detachment from the familiar. This idea is enhanced when Frederick suggests Alicia has manipulated the doctor to say what she wants to hear. The trip to Europe is one attempt she makes at preventing the development of a relationship between the two boys.
Alicia also forbids Alec from seeing Jerry. Alicia sends her only son to war and there is a suggestion from Frederick that she is only doing it to hurt him. There is also the possibility that Mrs Moore wants the prestige of have her son going to war to fight for honour. Friendship Alec is home schooled and has no opportunity to make friends as he grows up.
Alec meets Jerry and we can clearly see that they are from different class backgrounds. The boys meet at the lake and they swim together and from here their friendship blooms. They build jumps and have a type of secret riding school. Alec suggests that they work together when they are older.
As the story develops both men grow a deep affection for each other. Both characters show a deep trust for one another and share their problems seeking advice and comfort. Family issues Sexual issues Beliefs The war should have separated the characters but it helps to bring them closer. When Jerry leaves to find his father Alec tries his best to cover for him. When Jerry returns with bad news and awaiting troubles Alec does his best to comfort him. Alec treats his friend with comfort and compassion.
The destructive relationship with his parents has affected the relationship he has with himself. Alec has isolated himself from all forms of human contact. I find this quite troubling, but ultimately inspiring as I will discuss in this essay. In a key scene in AMS, it is revealed that Chris tried to persuade Jim to leave medicine so that he can fulfill his dream by engaging in research, despite the fact that he has a family of his own that depend on him financially and emotionally.
His idealistic ways has not prepared him for the sad reality in which he lives in. It takes talent You have it, and I do. But not him. Get Access. How does Johnston mean us to respond to this phrase? To agree with its message. To be reminded of the horrors of war.
To admire Alicia for speaking Latin. Alicia is describing Alec and Jerry. Major Glendinning is describing his men. Frederick is describing his stable hands. Read the following extract. As the light hit his face the man began to scream again.
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