I've just read a quirky World War One novel that I'd like to share.
Bretherton
is written in three parts, but they are not presented chronologically. Part One
is the end of the story, but the writer of the preface, a fictional character,
decided to present them in the order he received his information. Confusing. I
would have preferred to have not known the end until I got there.
Having read the end of the story in
Part One, Part Two dragged a bit for me. It is full of lyrical descriptions of
the war experience, but how did that fit with Part One? It is taken from
Captain Baron’s diary. He knew Bretherton, but didn’t focus on him. There was
always the question, where’s this going?
Part Three is the longest and is about Bretherton, and
despite knowing how the story would end, it is so full of twists and turns that
I was left wondering how the end would be reached.
Bretherton is a British officer
who, through the events of the war, occasionally forgets that he is. The
ability to succeed when he is not himself is uncanny. And entertaining.
The author, W. F. Morris, served in
World War I. He knew his subject well. This is a British story which contains
some terms unknown to me, but they did not prove to be obstacles in following
the tale.
Be prepared to start out off
balance, but enjoy the ride.
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