Birdsong

Blurb: Set before and during the great war, Birdsong captures the drama of that era on both a national and a personal scale. It is the story of Stephen, a young Englishman, who arrives in Amiens in 1910. His life goes through a series of traumatic experiences, from the clandestine love affair that tears apart the family with whom he lives, to the unprecedented experiences of the war itself.

The television adaptation of Birdsong starts tonight (BBC1, 9pm) and so I thought it was time for another book review. I read Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks (Vintage, 1994) about 3 years ago and couldn't put it down. I do love reading world war novels, though... but if you're not a fan of them, the cover should say enough to make sure you steer clear.

Other than a war novel, though, it's fundamentally a love story. It's a love that's both forbidden and completely impossible to maintain and it keeps you hooked the whole way. It's not just Stephen's story, though. There are two other stories to keep you interested, as well. There's Jack Firebrace, an ex-miner taken on by the British army to sniff out enemy mines and plant his own under the Germany defences. Then there's Elizabeth who brings the story into the modern day.

There's nothing fancy about this novel. To be honest, you could probably work out the kind of things that might happen but the characters are strong and the setting even stronger. Faulks tells a great story without all the fancy words and confusing plots.

I'd definitely recommend if you're one of the few who hasn't got round to reading it yet. I'm so excited for the start of the adaptation tonight! Perfect Sunday viewing! and Eddie Redmayne? Now, that's just a bonus.

8/10