Tag Archives: War

Down Among the Dead Men by Jack Dann & Gardner Dozois

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the monstrous ellen datlow book cover

Title: Down Among the Dead Men
Author: Jack Dann & Gardner Dozois
In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) & Blood Is Not Enough (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Horror, War
Dates read: 20th April 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: He fingered the spoon compulsively, turning it over and over; it was hard and smooth and cold, and he clenched it as tightly as he could, trying to ignore the fine tremouring of his hands.

Synopsis

He always thought that they were friends. That he was their saviour. But, then he realises that they’re all dead here. Just some are a little more dead than others.

Thoughts

There seem to be a few Jewish / war / prisoner of war stories popping up in my reading at the moment. And although they’re completely heart-wrenching, kind of devastating and seriously intense… they’re also kind of completely amazing. And I am definitely in love with them. What I didn’t expect was to find one such story in a collection of monstrous fantasy stories…

At the beginning of this story, I figured it was going to be dark. After all, it starts with the moment that the narrator first realises that his friend is a vampire. But, then I thought he was going to be a nice vampire… there were so many justifications for his actions. And then things got dark again. Which to me, is the mark of a great story – one which takes you through ups and downs and makes you constantly question your assumptions. The fact that it was done in only a very few pages just made it all the more impressive.

This short story had a much darker, more twisty ending than what I had expected. Which, of course, is kind of why I loved it. There is something fantastic about a dark ending that leaves you disquieted and uncomfortable.

<- The Chill Clutch of the UnseenCatching Flies ->

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First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by ...

Title: First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers
Author: Loung Ung
Series: Daughter of Cambodia #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, History, Memoirs, War
Dates read: 3rd – 8th April 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Mainstream Publishing
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: Geak continues to cry.

Synopsis

Until the age of five, Loung Ung lived in Phnom Penh, one of seven children of a high-ranking government official. She was a precocious child who loved the open city markets, fried crickets, chicken fights and being cheeky to her parents.

When Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army stormed into Phnom Penh in April 1975, Loung’s family fled their home and were eventually forced to disperse in order to survive. Loung was trained as a child soldier while her brothers and sisters were sent to labour camps. The surviving children were only finally reunited after the Vietnamese penetrated Cambodia and destroyed the Khmer Rouge. First They Killed My Father is an unforgettable book, told through the voice of the young and fearless Loung. It is a shocking and tragic tale of a girl who was determined to survive despite the odds.

Thoughts

I bought this so that I would have an author whose names started with U. I had no idea what to expect and basically no knowledge of anything to do with Cambodia, refugees and the war in the 1970s. I mean, honestly, nothing. I didn’t even know that Pol Pot was associated with all of this… even though I know the name and that he’s a bad man. So this entire journey was one of discovery and just… awe. Nothing more than total and utter awe.

Until recently, I thought that I was a person made of some incredibly strong stuff. Tough, independent and of the ability to survive an untold number of things in my life. This story (amongst others that I’ve been reading) made me realise that I’m probably not made of this kind of tough stuff. What Ung and her family went through is just completely unfathomable. It is intense, and horrifying and more than a little heartbreaking. Yet, there isn’t this sense of anger throughout the words. Which took me completely by surprise. After all, the horrors that Ung witnessed and survived as a young girl… I just don’t have the words.

Normally I like to read a biography before bed time. After all, they’re not as intense and fast-paced as many of my other novels. So they’re normally a good pick for right before bed time. This really didn’t fit that trend. The first few nights of reading this, I just read a chapter a night. But on the final night? I read all of it. In one hit. Because I just had to find out how Ung survived… and if any of her family were also able to survive.

I just don’t have the words for how amazing this novel is. It’s something that I think everyone should read. That way we don’t take our lives and livelihoods for granted so much. Or at least, that’s how this amazing journey made me feel. I can’t wait to read the next two books in this series!

<- More Loung UngLucky Child ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the zookeeper's wife

Title: The Zookeeper’s Wife
Author: Diane Ackerman
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Book to Film, Memoirs, Non-fiction, War
Dates read: 23rd September – 3rd November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Headline
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: If Jan were dressing beside the terrace door, Antonina wouldn’t have spotted him.

Synopsis

When Germany invades Poland, Luftwaffe bombers devastate Warsaw and the city’s zoo along with it. With most of their animals killed, or stolen away to Berlin, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski begin smuggling Jews into the empty cages.

As the war escalates Jan becomes increasingly involved in the anti-Nazi resistance. Ammunition is buried in the elephant enclosure and explosives stored in the animal hospital. Plans are prepared for what will become the Warsaw uprising. Through the ever-present fear of discovery, Antonina must keep her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and animal inhabitants – otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes – as Europe crumbles around them.

Written with the narrative drive and emotional punch of a novel, The Zookeeper’s Wife is a remarkable true story. It shows us the human and personal impact of war – of life in Warsaw Ghetto, of fighting in the anti-Nazi resistance. But more than anything it is a story of decency and sacrifice triumphing over terror and oppression. Jan and Antonina saved over 300 people from the death camps of the Holocaust.

Thoughts

This novel is intense, stunning and completely unforgettable. Most of the time I find memoirs relatively easy to put down, but that really wasn’t the case with this one. I looked forward to crawling into bed every night to read a few chapters before turning of the light and laying my head down. There was just something about the writing, the story and the fun tangents throughout that drew me in from the very beginning.

This year I seem to be on a bit of a memoir kick. I’m enjoying memoirs and biographies about WWII in particular. This was a completely different aspect of WWII though. One that I hadn’t really considered – what Poland went through throughout and before the war. The way in which Ackerman writes about this helps to expand my knowledge – she doesn’t just talk about Antonina and her family, but also the people and occurrences around them. It’s a rabbit hole of information that is impossible to forget.

Now that I’ve read this book, I would be fascinated to see how it was dealt with in the world of movies. Sometimes this happens in such a wonderful, natural way… but in others, not so much. I might just have to hunt out a copy to see if it meets the very high expectations that this book has given more…

Most of the memoirs I have read are filled with emotion and personal anecdotes. This one reads a lot more like a historical text. There’s some very dry facts interspersed throughout. Yet, these are balanced by foreshadowing, and the emotion comes from the plight of the people, not from the words. Likewise, Antonina’s comments and diary quotes are scattered throughout to help bring everyone even closer to life. Completely unforgettable and definitely a book I’m going to pick up again and again!

 <- The Salt PathConfessions of a Male Nurse ->

Image source: Goodreads

Steel Dragons of a Luminous Sky by Brian Trent

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dieselpunk book cover

Title: Steel Dragons of a Luminous Sky
Author: Brian Trent
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, War
Dates read: 26th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Li sighed and, switching to Chinese, said to Xin, “Salad, an American euphemism for -“

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Synopsis

The Steel Dragons of a Luminous Sky are an elite force that aim to turn the tides of the world. But maybe not all is quite as it seems in this battle to save the world.

Thoughts

This was kind of convoluted, and a little difficult to follow at times. Maybe because I really don’t know much about the World Wars – there seemed to be details in this that would provide me with a bit more information. Having said that, it was still incredibly enjoyable. I liked the idea of a secret society that wants to turn the tides of the war. And, from my understanding. Change the world while they’re at it.

Although I liked the premise of the story, the dying impartments of the true goals of the Luminous Sky kind of made me uncomfortable. The idea that one ruler to bring together all of the world would bring peace is just… hinky. And whilst peace is an admirable goal, I think that the one ruler idea is one that isn’t a great idea. And it’s definitely the idea that resonates most uncomfortably with me.

<- Instead of Loving HeartTunnel Vision ->

Image source: Running Press

Breadcrumbs and Stones by Lisa Goldstein

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for snow white, blood red book cover

Title: Breadcrumbs and Stones
Author: Lisa Goldstein
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, War
Dates read: 12th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: There was no reason for us to stay.

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Synopsis

A Holocaust retelling of Hansel and Gretel. A story filled with sadness and tragedy.

Thoughts

It’s kind of obvious from the title of this short story that this is a retelling and tale of Hansel and Gretel. But it wasn’t the kind of retelling that I was expecting. From beginning to end this was a bit of a surprise. Immediately I thought that this tale would be one in which the parent would betray her child (like in the original fairy tale).

The parallels drawn between Hansel and Gretel and the Holocaust are intense. Especially the use of ovens, betrayal and the sacrifice of children. It is a kind of heartbreaking story. Just like the original tale. Hansel and Gretel is kind of one of the most horrible fairy tales that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. And the Holocaust is one of the most tragic tales of modern history. Mix them together… and wow, what a powerful, potent and very uncomfortable short story. But one that I can’t wait to read again and again and again.

 <- The Snow Queen ReviewSupernatural Noir Review ->
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Vast Wings Across Felonious Skies by E. Catherine Tobler

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dieselpunk book cover

Title: Vast Wings Across Felonious Skies
Author: E. Catherine Tobler
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, War
Dates read: 8th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “Hold together, baby,” she whispered as if those words had become part of the ritual.

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Synopsis

Sakura is a pilot in the war, but when she gets sucked up into a mysterious cloud, she finds herself fighting something she had never imagined. Now an “alien” under suspicion, it might take all of her skills and courage to defeat this unknown opponent.

Thoughts

The street that I grew up on is, surprisingly an old army camp. And in World War II, it was the place where they kept the “aliens”. Which has kind of left me with a bit of a fascination with the imprisonment of people of specific nationalities during the War. So I was kind of immediately drawn into this short story. Not only did it feature a woman pilot, weird aliens and a bit of conspiracy, but it also talked about the experiences of people who were imprisoned for their heritage.

I’m fairly new to the Steampunk and Dieselpunk subgenres, but I was kind of surprised to read one such tale that aliens in it. There were a few in The Mammoth Book of Steampunk that had a similar feeling, but this was still a storyline and tale that really took me by surprise. In all the best ways possible. The creepiness of being abducted in the sky and then attacked by what seemed to me like hollow men was quite intense. And the imagery invoked by Tobler lingered long after I turned the last page of this story. It’s definitely one that I would suggest anyone who is even slightly fascinated by Dieselpunk sink their teeth into.

<- The Little Dog OhoriInstead of Loving Heart ->

Image source: Running Press

Don Quixote by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dieselpunk book cover

Title: Don Quixote
Author: Carrie Vaughn
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, War
Dates read: 15th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: The battle here had been recent.

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Synopsis

Two journalists are in the war zone of Spain have found a machine that could turn the tides of the next war. But is it something that should be reported on, or feared?

Thoughts

I loved the idea in this short story. It was one of those tales that has a great meaning behind it, but it also was a really fun journey to get to that poignant point. It just worked beautifully and I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it long after I turned the last page.

Journalists in war zones always kind of fascinate me. They put their lives on the line regularly to bring us information in the comfort (and safety) of our own homes. So I really loved that there was a story about journalists in a war torn country. Especially in a time period between the two world wars.

This short story is a fun, engaging and thrilling journey. But it is one with a powerful message – the question of whether power should be held by people or if it should be destroyed. I loved this because it is not only a great story, and it is a great read at the same time!

<- Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love StoryThe Little Dog Ohori ->

Image source: Running Press

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the diary of a young girl anne frank book cover

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Classics, History, War
Dates read: 4th – 11th March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bantam Books
Year: 1947
5th sentence, 74th page: Number Two was that, Mr. Vossen having left earlier than usual the previous evening, we didn’t know definitely whether Elli had been able to get hold of the key, and had perhaps forgotten to shut the door.

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Synopsis

Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank’s remarkable diary has since become a world classic – a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit.

In 1942, with Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the “Secret Annexe” of an old building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.

In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.

Thoughts

I can’t believe that I’ve waited so long to read this book! It’s been on my shelf for so long and I’ve always wanted to read it (even before I bought it), but I just never seemed to have the time… or the inclination. And now I really, really, really don’t know why I took so long. This story was amazing, and heart-wrenching and just so damn knock-your-socks-off that I can’t stop thinking about it.

This book was both impossible to put down, and heart-wrenching to pick up. Not because it was overly sad, but the knowledge of Anne’s death throughout was haunting. There is so much hope and optimism, even in her darkest moments that it is hard to realise that she doesn’t have that happily ever after. Although, I suppose that is why we read non-fiction – there isn’t the happily ever after for everyone, just a very real and very tragic ending.

What haunts me the most about The Diary of a Young Girl is how similar Anne Frank is. A lot of what she writes in her diary is exactly what I would have written as a stubborn, opinionated teenager. The holocaust and World War II have never really been moments in history that I can relate to. After all, I’ve lived an incredibly privileged and happy life. So reading the words of a young girl who was going through exactly the same things as me, and hearing my own voice reaching out over the passage of time… it was just… haunting. There is no other word for it.

 <- Zlata’s DiaryBorn to Run ->

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