Very interesting and so true....last night I watched "All Quiet on the Western front" It showed what the young recruits from Germany went through in the first world war.....so I imagine the British and other nationalities that fought the Germans went through the same.... your speech in your story captures it all....Love it...
"Tommy beseeches the Lord to hide His Face from our unpardonable species."
Very powerful. Speeches are a very underrated ingredient in novels. I enjoyed utilizing a ranty speech in a novel of mine (unpublished) some time ago. It was trickier than I anticipated, but a lot of fun!
I have a few short stories out there, and was a poet for a long time. But when it comes to novel-length projects, I will self-publish several this year. The first in June, circumstances permitting! I publish some fiction here on Substack as well.
Great read. I am always surprised at my interest in tales of war. It is the themes of humanity and strength of human spirit that appeal most. One thinks about the sons of men of prominent families who were spared. And it's the very men following the arrogant disfigured traits of their fathers that contributed and supported the wars that followed. Had better men been spared better more humain decisions and actions would have been given greater consideration. There is a book which details stories told by soldiers of wars I & II I believe. Great to hear how alive, young and hopeful they all were. The title you have to search. I didn't read the whole book. One line in your story that remains with me is the telling of how the soldiers were eager to kill ...chilling. I asked that of a soldier and the response was the first kill is the most difficult no matter what they say you are face to face with another guy who is just as scared as you and only wants to survive and go home 🏘️ Humanity was alive in war, so guess that was one thing that survived an evil that is still amongst us 😔 Thank you for monents to honour and offer up prayers Mike
Very interesting and so true....last night I watched "All Quiet on the Western front" It showed what the young recruits from Germany went through in the first world war.....so I imagine the British and other nationalities that fought the Germans went through the same.... your speech in your story captures it all....Love it...
Thank you, Zoe. Yes, All Quiet was the best novel of the First World War, in my view. Can't wait to see the movie!
"Tommy beseeches the Lord to hide His Face from our unpardonable species."
Very powerful. Speeches are a very underrated ingredient in novels. I enjoyed utilizing a ranty speech in a novel of mine (unpublished) some time ago. It was trickier than I anticipated, but a lot of fun!
Glad you found it meaningful, Felix. So have you published any of your writing yet, Felix?
I have a few short stories out there, and was a poet for a long time. But when it comes to novel-length projects, I will self-publish several this year. The first in June, circumstances permitting! I publish some fiction here on Substack as well.
Excellent. Will be reading your writing on your Substack and look forward to reading your book this summer.
Great read. I am always surprised at my interest in tales of war. It is the themes of humanity and strength of human spirit that appeal most. One thinks about the sons of men of prominent families who were spared. And it's the very men following the arrogant disfigured traits of their fathers that contributed and supported the wars that followed. Had better men been spared better more humain decisions and actions would have been given greater consideration. There is a book which details stories told by soldiers of wars I & II I believe. Great to hear how alive, young and hopeful they all were. The title you have to search. I didn't read the whole book. One line in your story that remains with me is the telling of how the soldiers were eager to kill ...chilling. I asked that of a soldier and the response was the first kill is the most difficult no matter what they say you are face to face with another guy who is just as scared as you and only wants to survive and go home 🏘️ Humanity was alive in war, so guess that was one thing that survived an evil that is still amongst us 😔 Thank you for monents to honour and offer up prayers Mike
A very thoughtful response, De. The First World War was a colossal travesty, most people would agree. What a tragic loss of life.