Mark Helprin

A Soldier of the Great War

Melody Izard

The story of Alessandro is not anything terribly unique. There are far too many soldiers of wars past who have stories that could fill a 1000+ book. But this story has half-dead (or completely dead, we’re not sure which) squids and kind of a “for whom the bell tolls” feel that keeps your mind floating from one sweet thought to the next atrocity. I found myself slightly amused almost through the whole book. Maybe I laughed out loud a couple of times and I do remember wiping away a couple of tears – but I know there was just the slightest smile almost throughout. Even when he was relating something grim – there were tender moments that made it tolerable. And the writing! I’ve been somewhat disappointed in the other Helprin books I’ve read; but this makes up for any slight disappointments encountered.

A Soldier of the Great War

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