Wave

by Paul Dowswell (Contributor)

Brothers Eddie and Charlie find a photo of the great-great-uncles they were named after and discover an amazing story of WWI, at the Front and back at home.

Assured that the Germans have been destroyed by bombardment, the earlier Eddie and Charlie are sent into No Man's Land in the 'First Wave' of the Somme. But when Charlie is forced to leave Eddie behind, his life is haunted by grief and guilt.

Paperback

About the author

Paul Dowswell is a British writer of nonfiction and young adult novels who has written over 70 books for British publishers. He was a senior editor at Usborne Publishing, then went freelance in 1999.

Reviews

[Sophie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little quick read with easy language. The plot is fast and full of heartbreak. Great for young readers or those who don't like reading at all. Its gripping and engaging.

One issue I had with this books is I didn't see the need for the future narrative. The main story is based on two brothers in WW1 which is interesting, tense and sad whereas its future counterpart is boring and didn't add much. Its just about 2 brothers clearing a loft. For me it slowed the pace.

Also the future side of this story contains 3 characters with the same names as those in the past. Which is just confusing 0_o. I don't understand why he did that. Probably to draw connections between the past and the present? But either way it was a confusing element to the story that could have been cut.

If you like historical fiction, want to know about WW1 and want a small easy book to pass the time this one is good but its not the best Barrington Stoke I have read.

[Jacob Shute · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really like this book because the storyline pot but was quite short and rapidly switched between future and present without really making it obvious. I only really read this book because we had to read a physical book for school so I just got this book (I was trying to finish another book only to get the physical copy). Overall 2 stars.

[Emma Louise Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommend to me by a student- I will always read a book from them.

This is a sad story, age appropriate, engaging.

Follows brothers to the front, Charlie and Eddie. Their decedents are in alternate chapters. Story flips from 1916-2016.

[Kirsikka71 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark.

[Miss Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of the British World War I Pals battalions until this book! There's a kind of author's note at the back of the book. Although it was a successful recruitment drive (allowing men of the same location, workplace, trade or sport to train and fight together) , it meant that when fate hit, they also died together and the local community was devastatingly rocked. The idea was not repeated after the Battle of the Somme. The storyline covers your typical war topics and also includes the canary girls in the factories, rum portions prior to going over the top, body removal by moonlight and bodies stuck on the wire. It deals with: grief, guilt, regret, relief, disbelief, fear, mistrust and loss.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short quick read about two brothers fighting in the opening hours of the Battle of Somme.
It's pretty dire and depressing reading. The pacing is pretty balanced and fast and acts well for an easy one session read.

My only criticisms are of the scenes set in modern day. They just didn't do anything for me and felt like they were underdeveloped and didn't hold much weight.
For such a short read though it's pretty easy to look past.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

ww1 battle of the somme told from the perspective of two brothers, both teenage and had lied about their age to join up. by chance the story of the horrific battle is remembered 100 years later by relatives of the brothers who find a photo taken just before that battle began all unknowing of what really was experienced by the soldiers that morning 100 years earlier.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written
An emotional novel about the war