My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You, By Louisa Young
A nice wartime romance – shame about the peace
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At the centre of Louisa Young's Great War weepy is Riley Purefoy, a working-class lad taken in by a wealthy bohemian household. He strikes up a romance with Nadine, the family's pretty daughter, before history comes between them.
While serving in the Army, Riley is horrifically disfigured by a German shell and, stricken with self-loathing, resolves never to see his beloved again.
The descriptions of the horrors of the trenches here ring true, but the scenes set back in Britain are quite excruciating: Young gives us a green and pleasant land of beneficent toffs and appreciative proles. It comes as no surprise to learn that Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens has been chosen to narrate the audiobook version.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments