Matti Friedman has crafted an amazing war account that is different in perspective, time period, and battlefront than normally found for sale on the bookstore shelf, yet this book reflects themes which are universal and as old as time.
I usually go on at length about the attributes of the books I review, but I feel compelled not to do so this time. I feel compelled by Friedman's writing itself. The book compelled the reader to peel back the layers of content and meaning with each turn of the page.
Without giving in to the temptation to explore Friedman's treatment of themes, such as the futility of war and the massacre of innocence, I'm going to compare it to a different work of literature; for that is how I would categorize this book. It is a work of fine literature, from its complexity and sophistication in style to its masterful employment of literary devices. In many ways, âªPumpkinflowers: A Soldier's Story of a Forgotten War reminds me of the Erich Maria Remarque classic, All Quiet on the Western Front. â¬
Now wait, before you vilify me for comparing a book about Israeli youth battling against Hezbollah fighters to a book about German youth battling against Allied Forces during World War I. I acknowledge these works depict very different wars, very different time periods, very different adversaries, and very different motivations, for sure. However, in addition to both authors' literary skills, similarities can be found within both books in regard to the destruction of youthful innocence, hope, and trust, and the replacement of these attributes by cynicism and dependency, as young soldiers are aged far beyond their years by their experiences in war. With the introduction of Friedman's war account, it is reinforces the understanding that, regardless of whether the setting is 1916 France, 1996 Lebanon, etc., the often-overlooked casualty of war is the permanent disillusionment of young generations in society.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. May 6, 2017.
I usually go on at length about the attributes of the books I review, but I feel compelled not to do so this time. I feel compelled by Friedman's writing itself. The book compelled the reader to peel back the layers of content and meaning with each turn of the page.
Without giving in to the temptation to explore Friedman's treatment of themes, such as the futility of war and the massacre of innocence, I'm going to compare it to a different work of literature; for that is how I would categorize this book. It is a work of fine literature, from its complexity and sophistication in style to its masterful employment of literary devices. In many ways, âªPumpkinflowers: A Soldier's Story of a Forgotten War reminds me of the Erich Maria Remarque classic, All Quiet on the Western Front. â¬
Now wait, before you vilify me for comparing a book about Israeli youth battling against Hezbollah fighters to a book about German youth battling against Allied Forces during World War I. I acknowledge these works depict very different wars, very different time periods, very different adversaries, and very different motivations, for sure. However, in addition to both authors' literary skills, similarities can be found within both books in regard to the destruction of youthful innocence, hope, and trust, and the replacement of these attributes by cynicism and dependency, as young soldiers are aged far beyond their years by their experiences in war. With the introduction of Friedman's war account, it is reinforces the understanding that, regardless of whether the setting is 1916 France, 1996 Lebanon, etc., the often-overlooked casualty of war is the permanent disillusionment of young generations in society.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. May 6, 2017.
