Reader discussion: The Return of the Soldier

Public reader discussion about The Return of the Soldier in the WeRead Catalog by Rebecca West.

Someone struggling through "The Great War"

By desk_wallet2

Feels like something in the vein of **All Quiet on the Western Front**—where it’s basically everyone, young and old, trying to make it through between 1914 and 1919, fighting on the front lines and dealing with everything at home too. It was such a brutal stretch for the whole world, and I get the sense these stories are about hope and sticking it out, even when World War I keeps throwing obstacles in the way. I also like that reading the real events and personal accounts makes it easier to understand people—whether they’re awful or kind, powerful or just getting crushed by the situation—and how they handled it when things got really hard. I usually finish these books feeling like I learned something again.

What books should I read as someone who is about to begin her BA in English Hons?

By silverPanther

I’ve always been pretty strong in English—like 99 in both 10th and 12th CBSE, 99.8 percentile in CUET, and even a top rank in my state uni entrance. I’ve read a decent amount of stuff, but not really many classics or the super “critically acclaimed” kind. From around 8th to 12th, I mostly picked up things like Three Men in a Boat, The Clocks, The Murder of Roger Ackford, The Camel Club, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (not sure if that counts), and those felt like they were at least decent. So I’m kind of wondering what I should add next. Like what other books would fit that general vibe/level, since I feel like I should go a bit beyond what my curriculum covers to do well in my course.

Short Masterpieces?

By neutronsaddle

I’ve got energy-draining chronic illnesses, so I’m basically 100% in bed and my brain power is pretty limited. I want to spend whatever little energy I do have on something that’s actually worth it, so I’m looking for recommendations for short books—like novellas, short novels, poetry, short plays, or story collections—that you’d call masterpieces.

What are World War I movies or books that show or tell a lot of information?

By SnowSecret

If I’m trying to read something about what an average WWI soldier’s life was actually like, what should I pick up? I’ve read The Blue Max and I liked it. Any other books that feel similar and cover World War I well? And yeah, movies are okay too.

2015 in Books: Share Your Reading List from the Past Year!

By hareStill1977

As the year wraps up, there’s a lot to look back on, and one of the best things to talk about here is books. So this thread is for sharing what you read in 2015, and maybe what you’re hoping to get to next year too! New books from this year and older ones you finally picked up both count, and even if this place leans historical, there’s no shame in talking up some sword-and-sandal page-turner, or admitting you got hooked on a romance or two. Nobody can read big mind-blowing works all the time, after all. So, what did everyone read this past year? What was the best of it? What was the worst? And what’s sitting on your list for next year? (Big thanks to /u/Cptbuck for the idea, and to /u/TheGreenReaper7 for the extra inspiration from last week’s post)

Advice on World War One Literature

By ionCastle

I usually like the more scholarly, comprehensive stuff, but I’m kind of stuck on where to start. Any pointers would be really helpful—thanks!