Welcome to Litsy!

The narrative has the feel of an old British classic—restrained, atmospheric, and quietly devastating. The story follows young Tristan from the expulsion from his home as a teen into the trenches of France during WW1. Before he even reaches twenty, he has experienced monumental desire, betrayal, and despair, leading him to a moment of shame that will haunt him the rest of his life.

#bookedintime @Cuilin

I think this would have had more of an impact on me if I had not read In Memoriam by Alice Winn this year. Compatibly this is a bit light on detail, characterization and feeling. Though I did have to look at how much Winn acknowledged how this influenced her, there are many similarities most striking the idea of the sister of one of the boys being pushed towards the other.

God, am I feeling desolate now! 😩
I was audio-crafting, but had to put my things down and give this my full attention.
Also needed to keep reminding myself that these men were actually *teenagers*.

I did find, as with other JB books I've read, that the fore-shadowing was heavy-handed. He writes very affecting stories: I just wish he'd trust his readers to join the dots without his signposting them with flashing arrows.

Monthly Reading Report
Read in February 2024...
16 Books
One 5-Star reads this month:
• The Absolutist

#Goodreads #Bookstagram #OUABC #Litsy #Libby

• 351 pages • first pub 2011 • fiction • historical • lgbtqia+ • emotional • reflective • sad • 5 Stars

I have read most all of John Boyne‘s novels. In fact, he is probably my second favorite contemporary author. I don‘t know why I waited so long to read this one, but it is, by far, my absolute favorite. I wish everyone would read this book.
⬇️

This novel has an ending that didn‘t disappoint. The MC finally reveals his secret wartime guilt, but it can never be purged.

I have been wary about reading Boyne (aside from Boy In Striped Pajamas) because of the hype surrounding his books when they release. (Hype seems to be the death knell of current books for me.) However, I feel more confident to try his backlist. 😄

#12Booksof2022

This reminds me that I need to pick up another of Boyne‘s books. This one was devastating but so good.

My 10 cent book. Trying to read as many of his that I can find. This would be a good one to read with older kids. Lots to discuss. Facts about WW1 . Sad facts really. Unbelievable today.
I learnt the meaning of absolutist. A new word for my diminishing vocabulary. 😏.

How do you only pick three!
The Absolutist
Tinman
A Thousand Splendid Suns

Everyone is tagged!

#littenswanttoknow

I think John Boyne is incredible for writing human emotions in his stories. This book drained me. Courage. Cowardice. Being complicit or dying for your beliefs. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

There's something really haunting about this one. Still not sure what my brain plans to do with it. But giving it a pick.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I‘ve been absent from social media for about a month with work commitments, a dose of the virus and fatigue…not like me at all!!
I‘ve read 2 books by John Boyne this month and for me both are 5⭐️. The Absolutist, set in WW1 tells a story of young men thrust into terrible situations..oh how I hate war!!! He‘s such a great writer and story teller.
Now for a change with one that has been on my TBR list for so long!
#irishliterature #fiction

Thanks so much Trish! I still haven't got this book despite all the fabulous reviews so it is perfect, and who knew amazon delivered chocolate?! I didn't! Could be very dangerous!! Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity knowing royal mail was being rubbish. It's much appreciated 🥰

And thank you Chelle for all the organisation once again! Love this tradition :-) #jolabokaflodswap

@TrishB @MaleficentBookDragon

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
John Boyne has become one of my favorite authors (and this is only his second novel that I've read!)
The Great War is a background, with vivid descriptions of the horrors of trenches, but the story is about the ambiguous morality..
There are so much sadness and heartbreak as Tristan unleashes his secret, I loved how he narrates his story, with such sincerity.

This was my #DoubleSpin for September @TheAromaofBooks

@rachelsbrittain #WeekendReads

1. Tagged, and Six of Crows
2. Il rumore dei tuoi passi & Heartstopper vol.4
3. Fall!! 🍂🍁💟

I couldn‘t put this book down. Boyne js such a sympathetic writer. This book was heartbreaking and awful and beautiful.

I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it. Some will be old, some will be new - don't judge me, I have a lot of books.

Day 65th

Join the fun if you want!

#tbrpile

#CuriousCovers
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@Eggs

A book that I think I'll read soon for #patterns prompt ❤

Day 17

This starts off like Edgar Allen Poe writing about the Bates Motel and unfolds as flashbacks of a doomed love and the tragedy of war. All I knew going in was this was set during WWI. The audio narrator is excellent.

Today was a great #bookmail day! 🙌 I treated myself to a little book haul in March, and now I‘m only missing two books. I can‘t remember the last time I bought books for myself, so I‘m excited!

“THE ABSOLUTIST is a masterful, unforgettable tale of passion, jealousy, heroism, and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I.”

FULL POST: https://tinyurl.com/yetea27w

#BookReport 11/21

I had a very good week with five excellent books. All of them are memorable! If it weren‘t for Litsy I doubt I would have read at least three of them so I am once again grateful to he a part of this great community!

That ending!! Books about WWI are always sad (the trenches, No Man‘s Land etc 🥲) but I could have known John Boyne would add a little extra. This is the heartbreaking story of Tristan Sadler, gay and soldier and ever lonely.

Thanks for choosing this one for me @TrishB ❤️💔

#pop21 #AGiftedBook

Yet again, Boyne reaches in and rips your heart out.

The depictions of WWI are so well done, but it is in matters of the heart that Boyne excels. The to-and-fro between the two MCs, in friendship, love, shame, war and conscientious objection, is so nuanced that you are wrenched from one POV to another, and the ending is just 💔.

Thanks for sending me this book @TrishB -I can see how it is one of your faves! Thanks for the #buddyread Caroline!

What a sad story. Yet written with such empathy. I liked the parts actually set during the war more than the after bits. I thought I guessed the ending but I did not see that coming...! 😲 I‘m looking forward to reading more of his books. #buddyread

Hey @squirrelbrain I‘m ready to jump in whenever you are?? Anyone else fancy joining us for a low key buddy read?? #buddyread

I enjoyed this story set in two timelines during WWI and a short time afterwards. Tristan visits the sister of his friend Will who died in the war to give her some letters. The sister knows he died a traitor but Tristan will tell her exactly how and what happened. It is a story of bertrayal, jealousy, and passion. #books

My #currentread and it is so good!

This novel undid me, and #rippedmyheartout #biblioMaynia

@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#magnificentmarch #aboutasoldier

From my tbr shelf and from what I know of Boyne, it'll be a good one.

Congratulations on your 3 milestones @Chrissyreadit ! 🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏
The tagged book is one of my top three favourite books I read this year, absolutely loved it, and I am most excited to read Ottessa Moshfegh‘s new novel next year.
#Thankyougiveaway

Holy moly. So bleeping good. All the stars, all the tears. This was my #soldiersstory pick for #booked2019.

Camping out here for the day.

I‘m devastated.
This book chewed up my heart.
How am I supposed to go on with my day after having just finished this book?
Immediately added to my favorites list.

I like stories set around the Great War, and after hearing good things about John Boyne‘s other books, I thought The Absolutist would be perfect for me. The depiction of war was brutal and extremely effective, but the secret the main character carries was awful—and not in a chilling, war-is-hell way; rather the secret was held too long, unexpected, and involved an action seemingly entirely out of character. Surprisingly disappointing. ⭐️⭐️-1/2

Boyne, oh Boyne, did it again. I may have shed a tear or two. So much emotion in a simple, well crafted story. Anger, revenge, guilt, shame. Against the backdrop of the carnage of war, it asks the questions about courage and love. It will leave you thinking about the madness of it all (the war, the inhumanity). Tragic and 💔. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️from Boyne.

Thanks @cathythoughts for bringing this book to my attention for #SoldiersStory #Booked2019

Trish - thank you so much for the wonderful gifts! I adored Heart‘s Invisible Furies (one of my favourites from last year) and I have A Ladder to the Sky on my Kindle TBR, so I‘m really looking forward to these. Thanks also for the bookmarks and stationery ( stationery geek here!) and for sending Blackout...

The card is just adorable - I should frame it! Hope your hen weekend is going OK 😁😬😘

Every time I pick up another Boyne book, it crushes me in all the best ways. #MountTBR

My love of John Boyne books continues with this story that takes place on the battlefields of WWI and follows a young man coming to terms with his sexuality alongside the horrors of war. Another beautifully written story with memorable characters.

Such a vivid story - I felt I was sitting with the characters. Meditations on : dying without reconciliation , immunity to violence, love , youth & old age ... war ... 5⭐️ Soldiers Story

#booked2019 #soldiersstory