The Young Lions is a superbly plotted novel by Irwin Shaw about three solders in World War II. Christian Diestl is a cultured German; Noah Ackerman is an American Jew; Michael Whitacre is a clumsy ,idealistic, American playwright. This is not so much a “war is hell” story as a story about the hell men carry with them to war. War defines and intensifies each one’s essential nature.
Archive for May, 2008
Superb Novel of the Hell Inside Soldiers
Posted in 1948 Bestselling Novels, Historical, My Top Pics, Psychological novel, tagged D-Day, World War 11 on May 28, 2008 | Comments Off
Pilgrim’s Inn Is Restful, Renewing
Posted in 1948 Bestselling Novels, Romance, tagged England, post-traumatic stress, World War II on May 21, 2008 | Comments Off
Pilgrim’s Inn is Elizabeth Goudge’s gentle novel of an English family pulling themselves back together after World War II. The renovation of the Herb o’ Grace becomes an opportunity for each member of the extended household to find peace and to restore and build relationships.
Shannon’s Way Is All Downhill
Posted in 1948 Bestselling Novels, Romance, tagged 1948 bestselling novels, A. J. Cronin, Medical research, medicine, vaccine on May 14, 2008 | Comments Off
Shannon’s Way is A. J. Cronin’s sequel to The Green Years. Robert Shannon, now an M.D., is working in a research lab, bitterly doing grunt work. He finds comfort and encouragement in Jean Law, an attractive medical student headed for the mission field, but religious differences separate them.
Raintree County Is Impenetrable
Posted in 1948 Bestselling Novels, Historical, Literary, Philosophical, tagged American History, Indiana, nineteenth century on May 7, 2008 | Comments Off
Ross Lockridge Jr.’s Raintree County is one of the best novels you will never read. It’s only for the literati or readers serving consecutive life sentences.
