The Wars by Timothy Findley (5)

I'm about halfway through the book, and it really is just a story about a regular, but unfortunate guy during World War One. For example, at the point I am at in the book, there is a lot of information about the protagonist. It is basically just a description about what is going on in Roberts life, however it doesn't ever really go into detail on his thoughts. I find this a little strange because normally the author wants the reader to know what the protagonist is thinking. Anyhow, some of it is from the perspective of a person listening to a tape of a conversation, but it is easy to forget that because it is written somewhat awkwardly.

It is not very surprising, to me at least, that while it isn't a terrible book I don't have a lot to say about it. It feels like not much is actually going on, even though vast changes occur in the protagonist's life. That's all I really have to say at the moment, so long for now.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (4)

Having read a lot of Timothy Findley's book, "The Wars" today, I can happily say that it is starting to pique my interest. However, there is something that I am having a problem understanding. The main character's mother, Mrs Ross, is angry that her son enlisted, which I can understand, but what I don't get is how she seems to take it as a personal offence. I will have to read some more to see if it is explained better, but so far it doesn't really seem to make sense.

Something else that I wish to remark on, was the conditions of that time, before the soldiers even got to the trenches. For example, on the boat ride across the Pacific, the regular infantry and the officers both had to live in extremely cramped quarters. The conditions for everyone on board would be considered horrible, especially because it would be near impossible to treat any illnesses.
Anyways, those are my thoughts on the book for now, and so I'm off to read some more.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (3)

I find that the book, 'The Wars' by Timothy Findley for the most part  is hard to read and dull.  However, even though the book seems to have a very grey style of writing,  read boring,  I still think that it has some redeeming qualities. Such as when the complex relationship that Robert forms with people, such as Taffler.   And even though there is a fair amount of bigotry, especially against people who do not met the standard of what is normal, these relationships often shows what both character's personalities are like as well as what is typical of society at that time.

I find it interesting how much information the reader can discover from just comparing the ideals and lives of the people from other times and from their own, and their friends lives.

That's all for now.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (2)

I have just acquired my copy of "The Wars", and am finding it an interesting, albeit slow, read.  I am almost 30 pages in and so much has happened, even though the main character hasn't done very much. I find that this is common among Canadian novels, and it is a refreshing break from much of modern media.   Too often stories (especially t.v. and movies) focus on special effects and explosions while neglecting the story.  
Anyways, there is something that I find strange.   There is a scene in which the main character tries to stop someone who was hired to kill his recently deceased sister's rabbits.  He surprises the would be rabbit killer, who then proceeds to beat the protagonist  with a some kind of club.
What I find so strange about this, is that it explicitly says that the hired killer has to be pulled off of the protagonist, but it also says that the hired rabbit killer struck the first blow in self-defense and surprise.  However, why not just stop after the first blow or two?  Why would the hired man continue to beat the protagonist? (whose name by the way, is Robert)


That is about all I can think of to say about the novel at the current moment.  I'll have to read more so that I can discover what happens next.
Thanks for reading.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (1)

For my English 11 class, we have to chose a book to do a report on.  Because I was away on a school field trip, I missed the class and I was assigned the book 'The War'.  I didn't choose this book, but I don't particularly mind having to do it.   It should be an interesting read about life in the trenches during  WW 2.  Hopefully I will able to expand my grade 11 social studies knowledge about WW 2 although I'm not sure how accurate the information in the book will be.  I am interested to know if the protagonist will die, and the story will turn out to be a tragedy or if it will end happily.  I personally think it could very well be a tragedy.
Anyways, that's it for now.