Remembrance by Theresa Breslin.

This novel is compelling reading for everyone interested in war or romance.
When you read it you will see lots of evidence of Breslin's research into the first world war. It's also a personal drama mainly of two families who become closer and share the great tragedy of loss. We learn about the war through the personal struggles and traumas faced by the soldiers and Breslin uses a sequence of letter-correspondence to show her truth about the horrors of war.

Maggie and Charlotte seem compelled to help the war effort at home but they long for action in France where casualties are severe and nurses are needed urgently. The older generation epitomises the pride and glory of fighting for one's country and one example of this is when Francis is given a white feather as a sign of cowardice because he has not, as yet, conscripted.

The younger generation have mixed feelings; those who have been socially conditioned and less educated share the concept of honour and glory like their parents and grandparents. Others like Francis and eventually Maggie and Charlotte, realise the horrors and brutality of fighting a war to die a horrible death. Where is the honour and glory?

A sad point for me and there were many tragic moments in the novel is when Alex, keen to enlist, but too young, steals his friend's birth certiicate and runs away to do his bit for England and more importantly, to avenge his brother's death. The reality of war for Alex is cruel and shocking as he lives through a nightmare, his childhood and innocence shattered.

Remembrance is an apt title for those survivors and those who lost family members but it is also apt for the reader. The novel explores our vulnerability and the total loss of innocence. It conveys a serious message that is applicable as much today as it was then.

                           In Flanders Field            McCrae.

At the Somme, around Thiepval, and in Beaumont
Hamel they walk through preserved trenches
and stand looking into the huge nine craters.
By the roadside and on the hills they see
Cemetry after cemetry, collections of
headstones among fields fertile with crops.
The white clay clings, and they spend time wiping
boots before reboarding the coach.

Publishers: Corgi Yearling Books.   ISBN: 0-552-54738-7

www.theresabreslin.co.uk

Copyright 2013. Permission must be obtained from the author before any of this review is reproduced.

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