All summer long, I’ve wanted to post a World War I reading list, a syllabus, if you will, of literature related to the Great War. Today would be the perfect day to post such a list, since it’s now officially 100 years since the war began.
When my list reached thirty titles, however, it became clear that a long post will have to wait until August. In the meantime, here’s a preview of some of the titles I’ll be talking about.
It’s my very first collage (as you can tell, I’m sure). I’m moving into the twenty-first century, Dear Readers.
Rosemary and Reading Glasses 
I was just wondering about how you made this collage when I read your last sentence. So, you are not alone. 🙂 Most of these books I haven’t read, so I can’t wait to hear more about them! I’m curious to know which are you favourites. If there are any better than Three Day Road, I have to know about them!
Three Day Road was pretty darn great . . . but Regeneration is the best modern-day book about the war, I think.
Okay! I will have to check that one out then!
Love the collage and I’m excited for the list. This is definitely one of my favorite periods to read about and I’m always looking for more material.
Then material you shall have!
I think I have Goodbye to All That on my Classics list. At least it started out on my list. The Razor’s Edge, in my memory, is one of the most depressing books every written.
Goodbye to All That is both heartbreaking and funny. The Razor’s Edge is one of my all-time top 20 favorite books; certainly some depressing moments, but the end is hopeful (at least to me).
Well, I admit I haven’t read The Razor’s Edge for at least 30 years, and my opinions change over time.
This is awesome! I look forward to hearing about these titles. We did some WWI poetry in my British Modernism class a few years ago and I loved learning about that time and its literature.
I’m glad you’re enthused . . . positive reinforcement for me to actually make the list!
Lovely collage!
I saw this today. It covers WWI and WWII. The Deep and Aleta Day both look interesting. I knew The Wars would be there because Canadians are required to have it on lists of war novels. It is really good though!
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2014/06/the-great-canadian-war-novels-everyone-should-read.html
I couldn’t fit The Wars on my collage, but I do have a copy (hard to find here in the US) and it’s in my “What I’ll Be Reading Next” list.
A very nice collage and a very interesting but somber reading list. But realistic writings about war will be sad and thought provoking.
Thanks, Karen. And you’re right — it’s hard to find much joy here . . .
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