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Rain
Drawing on firsthand experience of combat, Rain is a searingly powerful novel in the bestselling tradition of Matterhorn.
Tom Chamberlain was destined to be a soldier from the moment he discovered a faded picture of his father patrolling the streets of Belfast.
With the war in Afghanistan at its savage peak, Tom is despatched from home in the dead of an anonymous September night, a blood tribute leaving without fanfare. Full of eagerness, but wracked by self-doubt, he must discover who he is and what he is capable of.
But as the bonds with his comrades grow, home - and the loved ones left behind - seem ever more remote from the surreal violence and exhilaration of war.
Tom Chamberlain was destined to be a soldier from the moment he discovered a faded picture of his father patrolling the streets of Belfast.
With the war in Afghanistan at its savage peak, Tom is despatched from home in the dead of an anonymous September night, a blood tribute leaving without fanfare. Full of eagerness, but wracked by self-doubt, he must discover who he is and what he is capable of.
But as the bonds with his comrades grow, home - and the loved ones left behind - seem ever more remote from the surreal violence and exhilaration of war.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 30, 2015
When you find yourself writing a review in tears. That. What a powerful and emotional read.
This is the story of Tom, newly commissioned officer on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. It's very much not my genre of choice, and I did spend a lot of time in the much needed glossary at the back to understand the military detail. There was quite a lot of the operational detail that went over my head, however the personal story of Tom, his single mum Constance snd his on-off girlfriend Cassie more than compensated for me. As a forces wife it's that side of the life I can utterly relate to.
I did get two third of the way through the book wondering if it was just one long memoir type story, I was lacking some plot. But the final few chapters alone re shaped my view entirely. And on those alone this book will stick with me a long time.
This is the story of Tom, newly commissioned officer on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. It's very much not my genre of choice, and I did spend a lot of time in the much needed glossary at the back to understand the military detail. There was quite a lot of the operational detail that went over my head, however the personal story of Tom, his single mum Constance snd his on-off girlfriend Cassie more than compensated for me. As a forces wife it's that side of the life I can utterly relate to.
I did get two third of the way through the book wondering if it was just one long memoir type story, I was lacking some plot. But the final few chapters alone re shaped my view entirely. And on those alone this book will stick with me a long time.
November 13, 2021
Worth reading; a British "Fields of Fire" set in the Afghan War; not exactly the "great Afghan War Novel" it's purported to be
This is one of those books you want to root for. Written by Afghan War Veteran Barney Campbell and with cover blurb endorsements from professional British soldiers and writers, you are hoping this is the long awaited "great war novel" of the post-9-11 Afghanistan War. Alas, it is not to be. "Rain" is the story of Tom Chamberlain, a young British Army officer sent to fight in Afghanistan. The novel traces Tom's development and growth as a soldier from the time he is a child, influenced by his alcoholic and then deceased, war veteran father and his lonely, widowed mother who watches her only child go off to war with a heavy heart. The title refers to a reference made by an American character to inbound fire support. One wishes it had more to do with the rest of the story. The officer training portion is semi-autobiographical as Campbell is drawing from his own experience here. Campbell is a decent writer and this book is written with the kind of authenticity and emotional wallop you'd want to see in such a book but unfortunately there are way too many flaws to give it more than 3 stars. Granted, its his first novel and thus has many expected first novel mistakes (such as awkward changes in POV and overuse of military jargon due to the author's overfamiliarity with it). The military portions are authentic and worth reading -- especially for Americans who might want to get up to speed with British jargon and acronyms before a deployment with our best coalition partner (there is a very helpful glossary of terms). But the climax of the book is telescoped fairly early on so you know what's coming. And the dreaded climax is sort of adolescent in its power -- like one of those "meaningful novels" an ex-hippie high school teacher might make her students read to get in touch with their feelings about war. I absolutely did not like the way the book carried on after the climax. I felt the author wanted to say more but contented himself with the emotional wallop for which everything afterward was a let down. Oh, well. Unfortunately, British war novels don't sell well in the USA where hundreds of "made in America" personal war memoirs, non-fiction war histories and War on Terror thrillers tend to glut the market. That's unfortunate because "Rain" certainly deserves a read. But alas, I suspect poor sales will prevent it from having much impact on North Americans. That plus the fact the plot is entirely evocative of Jim Webb's "Fields of Fire." An older generation of American readers would pick up on that fairly quick and pan this as the pale-British-imitation-set-in-a-different-war that it is. I understand Barney Campbell intends to write more in the thriller vein. He'll need to work hard as it's the autobiographical elements of Rain that give the book it's appeal. And he's used that all up with his debut novel.
This is one of those books you want to root for. Written by Afghan War Veteran Barney Campbell and with cover blurb endorsements from professional British soldiers and writers, you are hoping this is the long awaited "great war novel" of the post-9-11 Afghanistan War. Alas, it is not to be. "Rain" is the story of Tom Chamberlain, a young British Army officer sent to fight in Afghanistan. The novel traces Tom's development and growth as a soldier from the time he is a child, influenced by his alcoholic and then deceased, war veteran father and his lonely, widowed mother who watches her only child go off to war with a heavy heart. The title refers to a reference made by an American character to inbound fire support. One wishes it had more to do with the rest of the story. The officer training portion is semi-autobiographical as Campbell is drawing from his own experience here. Campbell is a decent writer and this book is written with the kind of authenticity and emotional wallop you'd want to see in such a book but unfortunately there are way too many flaws to give it more than 3 stars. Granted, its his first novel and thus has many expected first novel mistakes (such as awkward changes in POV and overuse of military jargon due to the author's overfamiliarity with it). The military portions are authentic and worth reading -- especially for Americans who might want to get up to speed with British jargon and acronyms before a deployment with our best coalition partner (there is a very helpful glossary of terms). But the climax of the book is telescoped fairly early on so you know what's coming. And the dreaded climax is sort of adolescent in its power -- like one of those "meaningful novels" an ex-hippie high school teacher might make her students read to get in touch with their feelings about war. I absolutely did not like the way the book carried on after the climax. I felt the author wanted to say more but contented himself with the emotional wallop for which everything afterward was a let down. Oh, well. Unfortunately, British war novels don't sell well in the USA where hundreds of "made in America" personal war memoirs, non-fiction war histories and War on Terror thrillers tend to glut the market. That's unfortunate because "Rain" certainly deserves a read. But alas, I suspect poor sales will prevent it from having much impact on North Americans. That plus the fact the plot is entirely evocative of Jim Webb's "Fields of Fire." An older generation of American readers would pick up on that fairly quick and pan this as the pale-British-imitation-set-in-a-different-war that it is. I understand Barney Campbell intends to write more in the thriller vein. He'll need to work hard as it's the autobiographical elements of Rain that give the book it's appeal. And he's used that all up with his debut novel.
February 2, 2016
It takes a while to get into this book, mostly for just getting used to a narrative voice that is military. It's not so much the jargon, but more the tone and outlook. However, once you adapt to that this rapidly turns into a very good book, which becomes an extremely good book by the time you reach the end. It's a real skill to make those of us who have never set foot in Afghanistan, or been to war, feel emotions as though we are there on the ground.
'Matterhorn' by Karl Marlantes was a phenomenal look at the Vietnam through a fictional tale that I imagine rests on a lot of true stories knitted together. 'Bring the Rain' feels very similar, albeit set in a totally different location, time and environment, and written by a British author rather than an American.
This is very very good and it will be fascinating to see what Barney Campbell turns his pen to next.
'Matterhorn' by Karl Marlantes was a phenomenal look at the Vietnam through a fictional tale that I imagine rests on a lot of true stories knitted together. 'Bring the Rain' feels very similar, albeit set in a totally different location, time and environment, and written by a British author rather than an American.
This is very very good and it will be fascinating to see what Barney Campbell turns his pen to next.
June 10, 2016
While on holiday I just picked this novel at random from my Kindle library without really knowing what it was about. However I made a brilliant choice as this is a great novel of modern warfare.
Tom Chamberlain grows up in the shadow of his dead father and after graduating from Cambridge University follows in his father's footsteps by attending Sandringham Military College to become an Officer in the Army. He soon after gets posted to Afghanistan and the novel tells of his time serving on the front line in the 'fight against terror'.
This is an incredibly insightful and moving novel and I must admit I was moved to tears on a few occasions by the description of the events. There are also some very harrowing passages describing the fighting that takes place and the injuries suffered by the soldiers. Whether you agree or disagree with the invasion of Afghanistan, the author, through the various characters tries to explain what the soldier's role is there and what they are trying to achieve and this gave me a better understanding of the situation. There is also a great sense of comradeship between Tom and his team, who come from all walks of life and they are all there for each other in their time of need. The novel is also partly told through the letters Tom writes to his mother, girlfriend and friends and the letters he receives, in which a different tone etc. is used depending on who he is writing too.
The novel is based on the experiences of the author, who served in Afghanistan himself and you've got to think the novel is partly biographical.
A great read, not for the faint hearted or the easily upset, that gives a great insight into modern warfare against the Taliban.
Tom Chamberlain grows up in the shadow of his dead father and after graduating from Cambridge University follows in his father's footsteps by attending Sandringham Military College to become an Officer in the Army. He soon after gets posted to Afghanistan and the novel tells of his time serving on the front line in the 'fight against terror'.
This is an incredibly insightful and moving novel and I must admit I was moved to tears on a few occasions by the description of the events. There are also some very harrowing passages describing the fighting that takes place and the injuries suffered by the soldiers. Whether you agree or disagree with the invasion of Afghanistan, the author, through the various characters tries to explain what the soldier's role is there and what they are trying to achieve and this gave me a better understanding of the situation. There is also a great sense of comradeship between Tom and his team, who come from all walks of life and they are all there for each other in their time of need. The novel is also partly told through the letters Tom writes to his mother, girlfriend and friends and the letters he receives, in which a different tone etc. is used depending on who he is writing too.
The novel is based on the experiences of the author, who served in Afghanistan himself and you've got to think the novel is partly biographical.
A great read, not for the faint hearted or the easily upset, that gives a great insight into modern warfare against the Taliban.
September 27, 2021
Never have I felt more guilty about giving a one-star book rating than with the supposedly 'must-read' Bring the Rain.
Fundamentally, for me, it just wasn't that good.
While I respect Barney Campbell's service to his country, as well as his unquestionably valiant attempt to introduce readers to his lived experience through the eyes of Tom Chamberlain, I couldn't help but find the writing jarring and amateurish.
For starters, his incessant use of semi-colons is unnecessary, particularly when it comes to their inclusion in texts, which, let's be honest, is unrealistic - who uses semi-colons in texts?
I also couldn't stomach the painful exposition on every other page. Surely, an editor somewhere should've advised against information dumping that does little more than diminish the story?
No, I'm sorry, but I couldn't finish it.
Fundamentally, for me, it just wasn't that good.
While I respect Barney Campbell's service to his country, as well as his unquestionably valiant attempt to introduce readers to his lived experience through the eyes of Tom Chamberlain, I couldn't help but find the writing jarring and amateurish.
For starters, his incessant use of semi-colons is unnecessary, particularly when it comes to their inclusion in texts, which, let's be honest, is unrealistic - who uses semi-colons in texts?
I also couldn't stomach the painful exposition on every other page. Surely, an editor somewhere should've advised against information dumping that does little more than diminish the story?
No, I'm sorry, but I couldn't finish it.
July 26, 2024
Chosen by a member of our book group and not a book I would usually read. I'm glad I did - not because I liked it particularly but because it took me into the army, soldiering and war. All things I'm glad not to have had to do. I think the writer would also want me to say "but I'm glad there are people who fight for me" but I don't feel this about this war. I didn't support the British forces' actions in Afghanistan, and I can't share the author's view that it was a just war with a clear purpose. It is a painfully emotional look at men at war and male friendship in battle.
April 3, 2016
It's an honest account of a soldier's every day life in the Afghanistan troubles. If I have a reservation, it's that it focuses almost entirely on describing the action and the horrific things that happened, and my only response to factual description is an intellectual understanding that war is bad and undesirable. I wanted so much more. I wanted less attention to factual detail and more to how it felt deep in the minds of those involved.
September 25, 2015
I was stunned by this excellent first novel.....it was quite clear that it was a first novel, but it was gripping because of the reality of the narrative. It was very well written, with pace, character, tension, humour and bags of emotion. Well done Barney, I look forward to reading the next book.
January 2, 2016
Hugely overrated, full of unnecessary military jargon and tedious prose, I guess I don't like books by posh people about posh people. The ending saved it somewhat. Not all that by any means.
November 25, 2023
There are times that you read a book and you know that the reviews are going to be good,even though the book itself is not particularly well written but rather because of the subject matter that people feel should not be criticised, this book is one of those.
It follows a soldier in Afghanistan but does take us back to his childhood where an inadequate father dies early leaving the family is financial circumstances that while not those of poverty do not allow for the upper-middle lifestyle that the mother and therefore child would have expected. Fast forward and the child does excellently at school and so goes to a top university but does not have the financial wherewithal to fully include himself in the social scene. He does though get a girlfriend whose parents barely tolerate him due to the aforementioned financial woes, but she loves him and is therefore taken aback and not a little miffed that he chooses to join the army.
The story takes us through basic training at Sandhurst and then on the combat in Afghanistan with a telegraphed and inevitable ending.
The Goodreads score suggests that this story-line is engaging enough to be evocative but the book is really not that well written. The ending can be seen from very early in the book and the aftermath of the incident is heart-strings stuff that presumably successfully works for many.
However, the writing is not great, the characters are not well developed and the camaraderie among the company is constantly mentioned but never truly hits centre stage. There are times when the question of 'Why are we here fighting these people who have nothing?' is raised but not overly so as it is a fait-accompli decided by a completely different pay grade.
In summary an ok read but not as good as the reviews would suggest.
It follows a soldier in Afghanistan but does take us back to his childhood where an inadequate father dies early leaving the family is financial circumstances that while not those of poverty do not allow for the upper-middle lifestyle that the mother and therefore child would have expected. Fast forward and the child does excellently at school and so goes to a top university but does not have the financial wherewithal to fully include himself in the social scene. He does though get a girlfriend whose parents barely tolerate him due to the aforementioned financial woes, but she loves him and is therefore taken aback and not a little miffed that he chooses to join the army.
The story takes us through basic training at Sandhurst and then on the combat in Afghanistan with a telegraphed and inevitable ending.
The Goodreads score suggests that this story-line is engaging enough to be evocative but the book is really not that well written. The ending can be seen from very early in the book and the aftermath of the incident is heart-strings stuff that presumably successfully works for many.
However, the writing is not great, the characters are not well developed and the camaraderie among the company is constantly mentioned but never truly hits centre stage. There are times when the question of 'Why are we here fighting these people who have nothing?' is raised but not overly so as it is a fait-accompli decided by a completely different pay grade.
In summary an ok read but not as good as the reviews would suggest.
February 4, 2018
Phenomenal. A great book from start to finish.
First off the writing was utterly transporting. The author is detailed without going overboard and immerses you into what the characters are doing and feeling. I have never been to London, Sandhurst or Helmand but while reading it I felt like I was there. He incorporates nature a lot, in particular the rising and setting sun, and there is a lot of dust but his descriptions of explosions and the smell of cordite in a confined space were on point.
The characters were great. First off, it was refreshing to read a war novel where the lieutenant-protagonist was actually competent at his job and not a complete moron. Meanwhile the other characters in the book did not wander into stereotypes (though they occasionally toed the line) and developed throughout the novel.
The plot is remarkable in that they are fighting a war. It's straightforward and easy to follow, but really, you keep reading for the writing and the characters.
Absolutely going to recommend this book and read it again. Could very easily be one of my favorites in the future.
First off the writing was utterly transporting. The author is detailed without going overboard and immerses you into what the characters are doing and feeling. I have never been to London, Sandhurst or Helmand but while reading it I felt like I was there. He incorporates nature a lot, in particular the rising and setting sun, and there is a lot of dust but his descriptions of explosions and the smell of cordite in a confined space were on point.
The characters were great. First off, it was refreshing to read a war novel where the lieutenant-protagonist was actually competent at his job and not a complete moron. Meanwhile the other characters in the book did not wander into stereotypes (though they occasionally toed the line) and developed throughout the novel.
The plot is remarkable in that they are fighting a war. It's straightforward and easy to follow, but really, you keep reading for the writing and the characters.
Absolutely going to recommend this book and read it again. Could very easily be one of my favorites in the future.
July 5, 2019
Ducle et decorum est, pro patria mori.
Barney Campbell has written a heart wrenching novel on the Afghan/ISAF conflict. One can only presume that the authenticity of the in-theatre parts of the book are due to Mr Campbell's own experience and gives the action scenes an horrifying intensity. What stops me giving the book 5 stars is the fact that the domestic parts of the book lack that emotional gut wrench and have a slightly unreal feel about.
"Rain", at its best is simply stunning and should be required reading for all politicians who decide that it's a good idea to send it young men and women to remote deserts or rocky ocean outcrops to fight and die for reasons and ideals that are not theirs. Maybe it would would make them understand that everyone of their " acceptable casualties" is a personal tragedy for someone's family.
Barney Campbell has written a heart wrenching novel on the Afghan/ISAF conflict. One can only presume that the authenticity of the in-theatre parts of the book are due to Mr Campbell's own experience and gives the action scenes an horrifying intensity. What stops me giving the book 5 stars is the fact that the domestic parts of the book lack that emotional gut wrench and have a slightly unreal feel about.
"Rain", at its best is simply stunning and should be required reading for all politicians who decide that it's a good idea to send it young men and women to remote deserts or rocky ocean outcrops to fight and die for reasons and ideals that are not theirs. Maybe it would would make them understand that everyone of their " acceptable casualties" is a personal tragedy for someone's family.
March 16, 2019
Excellent read
A very good book, excellent read and let's you closely experience and feel what a soldier experiences and feels (in so far as that is at all possible without having been in the field yourself).
A very good book, excellent read and let's you closely experience and feel what a soldier experiences and feels (in so far as that is at all possible without having been in the field yourself).
August 24, 2019
Awed
An amazing read. I was riveted from start to finish and in tears at the end. Fiction it may be but many soldiers will recognise themselves in it. I was one of those REMFs and have nothing but admiration for those at the sharp end.
An amazing read. I was riveted from start to finish and in tears at the end. Fiction it may be but many soldiers will recognise themselves in it. I was one of those REMFs and have nothing but admiration for those at the sharp end.
April 22, 2023
Decent, but fell short of expectations set but the back cover. A bit Black Hawk Down-ish, but less warfare and more introspective. Lots of jargon. Fortunately I found the glossary at the back of the book (would have been better up front) before I got too far into it.
February 11, 2017
I was expecting this to be book one of several in Tom's career - so the ending was unexpected. Powerfully written - funny in places - move you to tears in others. First class.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2017
Just ok - bit fictional at times but overall it's fine
August 1, 2019
Gripping, powerful and honest. Storytelling as it should be.
August 13, 2019
Afghanistan
though provoking terrible horrible brave a description of how it really is by someone who has lived it. and came home.
though provoking terrible horrible brave a description of how it really is by someone who has lived it. and came home.
September 21, 2022
Shockingly brilliant - incredible insight to the horrors of war and the feeling of isolation and loneliness upon returning to a world of convenience and relative lack of purpose or thrill.
December 28, 2022
Powerful and memorable story about being in the British army in Afghanistan.
July 26, 2024
My review is written under the title of my copy "Rain" but it is the same book! I wondered why I couldn't find any other reviews....
May 15, 2022
The best contemporary war novel. It owes a certain amount to Majdalany's great Second World War novel, "Patrol", but is in my view a far better book. The attention to detail is precise and the depiction of British soldiers, their relationship with officers while in uniform and while out of uniform, is accurate.
This is a great book and deserves a wide readership.
This is a great book and deserves a wide readership.
November 28, 2016
As usual, no spoilers, just my overall impression. It's the story of s British junior officer on operations in Afghanistan. The descriptions of the place, the descriptions of military life and to use an Australianism, the mateship are brilliant! I have not been in the armed forces but I do know a few who have and the book reads true. If you want to get a feeling of what it's like now, in the 21st century, to be at the sharp end, I strongly recommend this book.
June 22, 2019
I thought this may be a real boy book given the subject is the Afghan conflict. However, it was written sensitively about a new Army officer straight out of Sandhurst and his experiences in Afghanistan culminating with his horrific death and the aftermath for his colleagues, friends and family. The book is very graphic and at times very harrowing but throughout totally believable and a shocking insight to a world largely ignore by the British public.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2015
Outstanding. I never write reviews but felt compelled to after reading this. I was choking back tears at the end had to just sit and reflect for a while after reading it. The detail is raw and unashamedly 'military'. There is a catharsis in the writing that lends authenticity and you are drawn quickly to the characters. Gut wrenching stuff.
January 31, 2016
Really authentic and powerful examination of what its like to go to war in Afghanistan. Struck me as authentic to the current values of young men in the forces in the UK. Only draw back was its rather obvious appeal to sentementality.
May 16, 2016
A powerful storyline, packed with jargon with glossary. This is a war story that is totally unique in my experience. The "hero" character is in a different class to the stereotypes of other books. As a first for the author it is on a class of its own.
March 3, 2016
Excellent, exciting and emotional!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews