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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > War fiction > First World War fiction
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Beau Geste
(Paperback)
P.C. Wren, Percival Christopher Wren
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R451
Discovery Miles 4 510
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Outlander meets Birdsong is this haunting literary timeslip novel,
where a strange twist of fate connects a British soldier fighting
in the First World War in 1916 with a young woman living in
modern-day England a century later. *A debut novel shortlisted for
the Eharmony/Orion Write Your Own Love Story Prize *Longlisted for
the Exeter Novel Prize "The characterization is spot-on, as is the
historical time-line. Beyond the Moon is not only a page-turner but
an intelligent appraisal of medicine, psychology and mental illness
over the years. Historical fantasy at its very best." -- Historical
Novel Society "A poignant and stirring love story... Taylor's
accomplished, genre-bending book succeeds as a historical novel and
a beguiling, time travel romance... The sharply written narrative
deftly moves back and forth between the past and present." --Kirkus
Reviews "A time travel romance, yet so much more than that. It is
also an unflinching portrait of the horrors of war, and a look at
the torturous extremes a human soul can endure. It is a sonnet to
the transformative power of love, even as it is also a criticism of
the futility and pointless destructiveness of war." -- Shaylin
Gandhi, author of By The Light of Embers In 1916 1st Lieutenant
Robert Lovett is a patient at Coldbrook Hall military hospital in
Sussex, England. A gifted artist, he's been wounded fighting in the
Great War. Shell shocked and suffering from hysterical blindness he
can no longer see his own face, let alone paint, and life seems
increasingly hopeless. A century later in 2017, medical student
Louisa Casson has just lost her beloved grandmother - her only
family. Heartbroken, she drowns her sorrows in alcohol on the South
Downs cliffs - only to fall accidentally part-way down. Doctors
fear she may have attempted suicide, and Louisa finds herself
involuntarily admitted to Coldbrook Hall - now a psychiatric
hospital, an unfriendly and chaotic place. Then one day, while
secretly exploring the old Victorian hospital's ruined, abandoned
wing, Louisa hears a voice calling for help, and stumbles across a
dark, old-fashioned hospital room. Inside, lying on the floor, is a
mysterious, sightless young man, who tells her he was hurt at the
Battle of the Somme, a WW1 battle a century ago. And that his name
is Lieutenant Robert Lovett... Two people, two battles: one against
the invading Germans on the battlefields of 1916 France, the other
against a substandard, uncaring mental health facility in
modern-day England. Two journeys begun a century apart, but somehow
destined to coincide - and become one desperate struggle to be
together. Part WW1 historical fiction, part timeslip love story -
and at the same time a meditation on the themes of war, mental
illness, identity and art - Beyond The Moon sweeps the reader on an
unforgettable journey through time. An intelligent read, perfect
for book clubs. For fans of Diana Gabaldon, Amy Harmon, Beatriz
Williams, Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, Susanna Kearsley
and Paullina Simons.
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Escapes
(Paperback)
Vic Dimartino
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R468
R399
Discovery Miles 3 990
Save R69 (15%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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As part of their project in commemoration of the Armistice which
ended the First World War, the children of present day Caerleon in
S Wales imagined the letters and poems they might have written to
and from the Front during the war. Both primary schools, Charles
Williams Church in Wales School and The Lodge Primary School, spent
the 2018 summer term learning about life both at home and at the
Front. In collaboration with Caerleon Remembers, which is
co-ordinating the Remembrance Day events, 150 children were asked
to try to compose letters and poems to imaginary WW1 servicemen
fighting amongst the bomb craters, barbed wire and mud filled
trenches of Flanders, sending the soldiers messages of hope and
telling them about life back home in peaceful Caerleon. Some wrote
letters to fathers at the Front, some chose to write home to
families from the Front. Others wrote poems about the war, and many
chose to illustrate their imaginings. Caerleon Remembers decided to
include all contributions, in order to show the depth of knowledge
these children have taken in about life in the trenches and at
home. The result is this deeply moving book. As both Head Teachers
say, `Fortunately, the children of Caerleon have not experienced
the effects of war first-hand and we pray that this remains so. For
our children, war and conflict is often confined to books and
screens; it is something that happens elsewhere and it is something
that only affects adults. This project has allowed our children to
begin to understand that war, both in the past and present, affects
all people everywhere, including the young, and that its legacy has
long-lasting consequences. As imagined letters to and from the
front were drafted, our children began to better appreciate the
emotional cost of war, the love of family and the sanctity of
peace. We would like to thank Caerleon Remembers for giving us this
opportunity.'
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The Crest
(Paperback)
Jerena Tobiasen
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R571
R480
Discovery Miles 4 800
Save R91 (16%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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It's July 1917, and as the sun sets over No-man's-land so Joseph
Reavley's heart sinks with it. As chaplain he must keep up the
men's morale, but as rumours of mutiny grow stronger he is losing
any chance of getting through to them. After the death of an
officer, twelve soldiers are arrested, and it falls to Joseph to
uncover the truth about their involvement. Joseph's brother
Matthew, of the S.I.S, is also in pursuit of the truth, whilst
struggling to come to terms with his part in the Peacemaker's
death. Approached by a Junior Cabinet Minister who is being
blackmailed, Matthew learns of a plot to destroy the only men who
can bring about lasting peace. As he embarks on an investigation
Matthew knows his own life is in danger but thinks it a small price
to pay to secure the future of millions of people.
In 1914, Britain faces a new kind of war. For Edward and Beatrice
Hunter, their children, servants and neighbours, life will never be
the same again. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Barbara
Taylor-Bradford. For David, the eldest, war means a chance to do
something noble; but enlisting will break his mother's heart. His
sister Diana, nineteen and beautiful, longs for marriage. She has
her heart set on Charles Wroughton, son of Earl Wroughton, but
Charles will never be allowed to marry a banker's daughter. Below
stairs, Cook and Ada, the head housemaid, grow more terrified of
German invasion with every newspaper atrocity story. Ethel, under
housemaid, can't help herself when it comes to men and now soldiers
add to the temptation; yet there's more to this flighty girl than
meets the eye. The once-tranquil village of Northcote reels under
an influx of khaki volunteers, wounded soldiers and Belgian
refugees. The war is becoming more dangerous and everyone must find
a way to adapt to this rapidly changing world. Goodbye Piccadilly
is the first book in the War at Home series by Cynthia
Harrod-Eagles, author of the much-loved Morland Dynasty novels. Set
against the real events of 1914, Goodbye Piccadilly is
extraordinary in scope and imagination and is a compelling
introduction to the Hunter family.
The stories of an American Indian sniper caught up in the Great War
and of his aunt, one of the last Cree Indians to live off the land,
are intertwined in a mesmerising journey as they travel home over
three days This beautiful, haunting novel begins as Niska is
reunited with her nephew, Xavier, after he returns from the horrors
of the First World War. As she slowly paddles her canoe on the
3-day journey to take him home, travelling through the stark but
stunning landscape of Northern Canada, their respective stories
emerge. Niska is the last Cree Indian woman living off the land in
Canada. She recalls her memories of growing up among her kinsfolk,
of trying to remain true to her ancestors and traditions in a
rapidly changing world. Xavier joined the war reluctantly at the
urging of his only friend, Elijah - a Cree boy raised in the
reservation schools. Elijah and Xavier honed their hunting skills
as snipers in the horrors of the trenches and the wastes of
No-man's land. But as the war continues, they react in very
different ways to the never-ending carnage around them. Niska
realises that in the aftermath of war, Xavier's very soul is dying
- but will the three day journey home be enough to help him find
hope again?
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