In Memoriam by Alice Winn (Review)

Format Read: Physical

Source: Publisher

Genres: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Penguin General UK, Viking

Publication Date: 7th March 2023

Synopsis/Blurb (Taken from Goodreads):

“It’s 1914, and talk of war feels far away to Henry Gaunt, Sidney Ellwood and the rest of their classmates, safely ensconced in their idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. At seventeen, they’re too young to enlist, and anyway, Gaunt is fighting his own private battle – an all-consuming infatuation with his best friend, the dreamy, poetic Ellwood – not having a clue that Ellwood is in love with him, always has been. When Gaunt’s German mother and twin sister ask him to enlist as an officer in the British army to protect the family from anti-German attacks, Gaunt signs up immediately, relieved to escape his overwhelming feelings for Ellwood.

The front is horrific, of course, and though Gaunt tries to dissuade Ellwood from joining him on the battlefield, Ellwood soon rushes to join him, spurred on by his love of Greek heroes and romantic poetry. Before long, their classmates have followed suit. Once in the trenches, Ellwood and Gaunt find fleeting moments of solace in one another, but their friends are all dying, right in front of them, and at any moment they could be next.”

My Thoughts

The book has generated a lot of buzz and glowing reviews, but for me, it fell short of expectations. While I understand that reading experiences can vary, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment at not being able to fully immerse myself in the story.

The writing, though rich in detail, felt excessive in some areas, and the pacing seemed erratic. There were moments of intense engagement, but they were interspersed with sections that seemed to plod along.

My main gripe was the lack of a detailed depiction of WW1, which only seemed to gain prominence in the latter half of the book, leaving me wanting more. Additionally, the characters felt underdeveloped, making it a challenge to connect with them and invest in their journey.

Despite my reservations, I must emphasize that this isn’t a bad book, and I would be open to exploring other works by the author. However, I had anticipated a stronger emphasis on historical elements rather than the predominant romantic aspect.

I would like to express my gratitude to Viking Books UK for providing me with a final review copy. The above thoughts are my genuine and unbiased opinion, and I am sharing them voluntarily.

My Rating