And Such Great Names as These

You can view a free online evalution copy of issue 8 of the magazine – just click here.

Category:	Fiction
Author:	Allen Makepeace
Publisher:	Matador
Price:	£7.99
ISBN:	978-1905886-388
Pages:	224
Reviewed in issue:

This engrossing book has a Dickensian feel in that it deals with life at the lower end of the social scale in the period of the Great War.

The chief character in the story is Joshua Slater, a child who is confronted with more challenges in his short life than most of us will encounter in a life time. Following his father’s death in a shipyard accident, his mother descends into poverty and depression which ends with her being committed to the workhouse where she dies.

Joshua is adopted by a friend of his mother’s Dolly Weston, whose own husband is reported missing and subsequently killed in action. She has her own problems with both the Church and her brother, a decorated soldier who has deserted and returns home on false papers. Dolly falls in love with her employers son, a wounded lieutenant home on sick leave who is fearful that he may get sent back to the Front.

The author captures the atmosphere of the time with his very descriptive writing, the futility of the Great War forming a central theme to the story. The various threads of the story are skilfully woven together.

Highly recommended.

Click here for more information on this book

Go Back