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_Birdsong_, for me, was one of those books that had been on my 'to read' list for years. Indeed, the copy I own is littered with praise from critics, which left little doubt in my mind that I was... more

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for Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

Rating Summary based on 25 reviews

  • 5 Stars
    18
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Star
    0

Detailed rating

  • Characters
  • How does it compare to other works by the same author?
  • How does it compare to similar books?
  • Readability
  • Story
  • 4.5
  • 3.2
  • 4.1
  • 4.6
  • 4.5
  • 60 of 60 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Discerna

    Discerna

    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Very informative, deeply moving narrative

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Quite disturbing, not for the faint-hearted

    On my bedside table is a sepia-tinted photograph of my grandfather, aged about 17, in his British army uniform, prior to his stint in France towards the end of the First World War. He was lucky; he returned. Had he not done so I would not be writing this now. I thought about him a lot as I was reading Sebastian Faulks’ novel “Birdsong” in which the author vividly portrays what life was like for those who endured the trauma of service in the trenches. I hesitate to recommend the book to anyone as it is not a comfortable read. It is not for the faint-hearted or anyone of a nervous disposition ... more
  • 22 of 22 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of JonnyWigan

    JonnyWigan

    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Compelling, enlightening, and in places, shocking

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Could give you nightmares.

    A history teacher friend of mine recommended Sebastian Faulk's 'Birdsong' to me a number of years ago, on the basis that it had two main ingredients that I would find irresistible: a World War I setting combined with a endearing romantic vein running throughout. So, on his advise, I bought a copy of the book almost immediately, however, it stood on a shelf until two years ago, forgotten and completely unread. One day I picked up the book by chance and started to read. I have just recently read the book for my second time. No mean feat I must point out, as it is seldom that I ever read a novel ... more
  • 28 of 28 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of BitterFusion

    Level 2 BitterFusion

    Member since 24/05/2012

    Reviews written: 12

    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Excellent prose, engaging, thought provoking

    Disadvantages Disadvantages An awkward futuristic plot line

    Birdsong, for me, was one of those books that had been on my 'to read' list for years. Indeed, the copy I own is littered with praise from critics, which left little doubt in my mind that I was in for an absorbing read. Summary The plot primarily revolves around the life of Stephen Wraysford at various points throughout his life in France, prior to and during WWI. Initially, we meet Stephen in 1910; he has arrived at the Azaires' house to stay while conducting some work abroad. Whilst there, he embarks on an affair with the young wife of his host, Isabelle, and the two decide to run away ... more
  • 53 of 53 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of silver40

    silver40

    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages A wonderful, beautifully written novel

    Disadvantages Disadvantages The detail is disturbing

    I have read several books and poetry on the First World War but Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks stimulated my interest and affected me the most in this terrible period of the twentieth century. Birdsong opens in France in 1910 with the arrival of twenty-year-old Stephen Wraysford at the house of the Azaire family. He is there to study the textile industry at the factory owned by Monsieur Adaire, who is a cold fish and a snob. His wife Isabelle is younger and it is obvious it is a marriage of convenience. The young Englishman is immediately attracted to her but she is more reticent and keeps her ... more
  • 36 of 36 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of HappyBunny

    HappyBunny

    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages An eye-opening, historical account

    Disadvantages Disadvantages The modern sub-plot

    There are some books, where after I have read them, I am compelled to consult my bookshelves and re-read another book that echoes the plot or style of the one I have just read. After reading ‘Birdsong’, I re-read ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’. One of these, I concluded, is a great novel and the other I’m afraid, just falls short of greatness. It is 1910, and Stephen Wraysford is visiting a small town in France on business. He stays with a local textile entrepreneur and his family, the Azaires’. During his stay he falls in love with Madam Azaire, and she ... more

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for Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

Product Details

Title (First Letter) B
Name (First Letter) S
Surname (First Letter) F
Type Fiction
Genre Historical Fiction

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