A Son Of War
Melvyn Bragg
The second part of a trilogy. Doreen had read the first book and really enjoyed it, getting very involved with the characters. Bragg is very good at not taking sides in conflicts of all types.
Doreen 23/09/01
Rory enjoyed this sequel to Soldier's Return. It felt very realistic
except for the boy's terrible anxiety, which he really couldn't
understand.
Doreen liked the book and the people in it, but was bothered by the
notion that, the book being thought by some to be autobiographical, the
boy would turn out to Melvyn Bragg.
A short discussion followed on the merits or otherwise of Melvyn Bragg,
the meeting being fairly well split between Braggophiles and Braggophobes
- still, everybody liked Dead Ringers, so that's all right then.
Rory 21/4/02
Jean had looked forward to reading this as it's the sequel to The Soldier's Return which she had really enjoyed. Sadly this was not nearly as good and the writing in the first half of the book seemed laboured. The book included tedious and unnecessary 'explaining' of characters who had appeared in the first book. Towards the end of the book the quality improves and it's probably worth reading for anyone who read the first book and wants to know what happened next. Otherwise not recommended.
Jean 19/1/03
The author seemed to be rather smug about his grim, Northern upbringing. It was just not interesting.
Bob 24/10/04
By the same author
The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.