A soldier of the great war
A Roman student is torn from his carefree life when World War I breaks out, and fifty years later, recounts the triumphs and tragedies of his existence to an illiterate factory worker.
Stats for nerds
1recommend
3mentions
3people
2015–2020years
33% recommend67% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Soldier of a Great War, Mark Helprin: "a lush, literary epic about love, beauty, and the world at war" -- an incredible, life-changing read. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Soldier_of_the_Great_War
The Cornerstone and The World is Not Enough, by Zoe Oldenbourg -- an epic duology (?) about the life a Norman knight. I've never read a more vivid (even that's too weak a word) historical novel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zo%C3%A9_Oldenbourg
The Master of Hestviken by Sigrid Unset -- the most moving account of one man's life struggles I've ever read. Unset was a Nobel prize-winning author of the 30's/40's who has been nearly forgotten. I read this tetrology straight through without stopping (about 18 hours). Couldn't stop. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Master_of_Hestviken
- “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” by T. E. Lawrence
“The Wars of the Roses” by Alison Weir
Re-reading “A Soldier of the Great War” by Mark Helprin
Also, do yourself a favor and pick up the Aubrey / Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian. You will not regret it.
- A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin
