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11 november
Paul Dowswell wordt internationaal geprezen om de manier waarop hij in staat is voor jongeren te schrijven over bekende historische gebeurtenissen vanuit een ongebruikelijk gezichtspunt.
In Eleven, eleven kruipen we onder de huid van drie jongens die de laatste 24 uur van de Eerste Wereldoorlog meemaken: een Duitse en Engelse soldaat op het slagveld, een Amerikaanse vliegenier in de lucht. Het lot brengt hen samen; slechts twee van hen zullen overleven
In Eleven, eleven kruipen we onder de huid van drie jongens die de laatste 24 uur van de Eerste Wereldoorlog meemaken: een Duitse en Engelse soldaat op het slagveld, een Amerikaanse vliegenier in de lucht. Het lot brengt hen samen; slechts twee van hen zullen overleven
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First published January 1, 2012
21 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dowswell
145 books66 followersPaul 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 13, 2025
Eleven Eleven takes place on the Western Front during the final hours of the First World War. It brings together 3 people - a British Army private with 4 months of frontline experience (Will Franklin), a 16 year old Berliner (Axel Meyer) who had lied about his age to join the German Army and would soon experience his baptism of fire, and a German-American pursuit pilot (Eddie Hertz) serving with the U.S. Air Service's First Pursuit Group.
Of the 3 men, Hertz has the most frontline experience. There is a chapter in the novel that describes the negotiations that ensued between the Germans and the Allies in a railway car not far from Paris during the wee hours of November 11, 1918 which led to the signing of an armistice scheduled to come into effect at 11 AM. Hertz is informed that the war would within hours be at an end. He is a seasoned combat pilot, with 4 enemy planes to his credit. He is anxious to get airborne - though he is not scheduled to fly that day - and see if he might find a German plane or two, and secure his fifth aerial victory, which would make him an "ace", a high honor among pursuit pilots ensuring notoriety and fame.
So, Hertz has his Sopwith Camel fighter fueled and fully armed, with a couple of bombs under its wings, and sets out alone over the Front. He flies over the position where he knows an American unit is slated to attack, and drops his bombs. In the process, he encounters small arms fire, which brings his plane down just inside the German lines. Hertz is severely wounded in the legs. He manages to escape from his burning Camel and finds refuge in a soggy shell hole, where he finds himself trapped in the ooze, near the remains of a dead German soldier. Some American soldiers find Hertz - one of whom promises that they'll soon be back to free him from his confinement. But they don't stay long as they are attacking a German position. The attack is soon blunted by German shellfire and the Americans beat a hasty retreat.
Axel Meyer finds himself with his unit at the Front and fires on Hertz's plane after it had attacked the tower in which he had been placed with a comrade, serving as lookouts. He sees the plane crash in the distance. He asks and is given permission by the senior NCO in his unit to explore the crash site to see if the pilot survived. Axel is determined to settle scores with the pilot should he find him alive, because his comrade had been killed by Hertz' attack.
Will Franklin is the same age as Axel. And like Axel, he had lied about his age to enlist and ended up serving in a combat unit in which his brother was already serving as a sergeant. Will's unit was tasked with going into a nearby forest near the German lines to flush out any of the enemy they may uncover there. Unlike Hertz, Will has no idea that an armistice has already been signed, scheduled to come into effect at 11 AM. It is only later that morning, due to unforeseen circumstances that bring Meyer, Hertz, and Franklin together that the three men band together and help each other - once Hertz has informed them of the armistice.
And yet, once the armistice comes into effect, fate continues to play its hand in the lives of the 3 men that proves to be harrowing and tragic. I could not help but reflect on that after reading this book.
Of the 3 men, Hertz has the most frontline experience. There is a chapter in the novel that describes the negotiations that ensued between the Germans and the Allies in a railway car not far from Paris during the wee hours of November 11, 1918 which led to the signing of an armistice scheduled to come into effect at 11 AM. Hertz is informed that the war would within hours be at an end. He is a seasoned combat pilot, with 4 enemy planes to his credit. He is anxious to get airborne - though he is not scheduled to fly that day - and see if he might find a German plane or two, and secure his fifth aerial victory, which would make him an "ace", a high honor among pursuit pilots ensuring notoriety and fame.
So, Hertz has his Sopwith Camel fighter fueled and fully armed, with a couple of bombs under its wings, and sets out alone over the Front. He flies over the position where he knows an American unit is slated to attack, and drops his bombs. In the process, he encounters small arms fire, which brings his plane down just inside the German lines. Hertz is severely wounded in the legs. He manages to escape from his burning Camel and finds refuge in a soggy shell hole, where he finds himself trapped in the ooze, near the remains of a dead German soldier. Some American soldiers find Hertz - one of whom promises that they'll soon be back to free him from his confinement. But they don't stay long as they are attacking a German position. The attack is soon blunted by German shellfire and the Americans beat a hasty retreat.
Axel Meyer finds himself with his unit at the Front and fires on Hertz's plane after it had attacked the tower in which he had been placed with a comrade, serving as lookouts. He sees the plane crash in the distance. He asks and is given permission by the senior NCO in his unit to explore the crash site to see if the pilot survived. Axel is determined to settle scores with the pilot should he find him alive, because his comrade had been killed by Hertz' attack.
Will Franklin is the same age as Axel. And like Axel, he had lied about his age to enlist and ended up serving in a combat unit in which his brother was already serving as a sergeant. Will's unit was tasked with going into a nearby forest near the German lines to flush out any of the enemy they may uncover there. Unlike Hertz, Will has no idea that an armistice has already been signed, scheduled to come into effect at 11 AM. It is only later that morning, due to unforeseen circumstances that bring Meyer, Hertz, and Franklin together that the three men band together and help each other - once Hertz has informed them of the armistice.
And yet, once the armistice comes into effect, fate continues to play its hand in the lives of the 3 men that proves to be harrowing and tragic. I could not help but reflect on that after reading this book.
February 26, 2021
In my opinion it is a good book. It's a short read, but very inspiring. Inspiring in its negative meaning. I'm Polish and in Poland many people tend to forget about The Great War, focusing more on WWII. It is completely natural due to the fact that Poland and its people suffered more in it (ghettos, holocaust, concentration camps, Warsaw Uprising etc.). Since the beginning of my education I've been taught much more about WWII and this is why majority of books about WWI make me think them over. That war was worse than the second one because of the fact that no one was prepared for such intensive warfare. Also, it opened door for totalitarian regimes in Germany and Italy (rise of poverty amongst Great War veterans), two global economic crisises, and on top of that second, much bloodier and more impactive war.
Paul Dowswell wrote about very specific and (for many) unlucky case - the last day of Great War. As he mentioned in 'Fact and fiction' chapter, 'on that morning close to three thousand soldiers died'. Just several hours before the end of the war. It makes me think how lucky we are to have opportunity to live in such peaceful times. Peace is the biggest opportunity for us to thrive. We shall not waste it.
Paul Dowswell wrote about very specific and (for many) unlucky case - the last day of Great War. As he mentioned in 'Fact and fiction' chapter, 'on that morning close to three thousand soldiers died'. Just several hours before the end of the war. It makes me think how lucky we are to have opportunity to live in such peaceful times. Peace is the biggest opportunity for us to thrive. We shall not waste it.
August 26, 2024
“Het lijkt of hij diep, heel diep onder water is en langzaam, heel langzaam naar de oppervlakte drijft. Precies op het moment dat hij zijn ogen opendoet, neemt Jim de deken van zijn gezicht.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2017
3.5 stars is about right - not a bad story, but lacked character depth and back story of those characters. Just wasn't quite right in the way the story came together. Not the authors best book...
August 25, 2014
This was a simple story about 3 young men in the last hours of WWI. The three are Axel, a young German soldier, Will, in the British infantry and equally young and Eddie, a US pilot and a veteran of nine months flying. These three characters are all very likeable with each not just trying to survive but to do the right thing and not let anyone down. The story has each of them drawing geographically closer to each other as they continue to follow orders until peace is declared. Soldiers continue to fight and die right up to the eleventh hour.
The writing is easy to read and, as always Paul Dowswell, has created an authentic background for his characters to inhabit. The brutality and pointlessness of the trench warfare comes through very clearly. At the end the three young men realise that it really doesn’t matter where you are born but what you choose to do, and how you do it, matters if you survive.
This is would be a good book for younger readers to better understand something about WWI.
The writing is easy to read and, as always Paul Dowswell, has created an authentic background for his characters to inhabit. The brutality and pointlessness of the trench warfare comes through very clearly. At the end the three young men realise that it really doesn’t matter where you are born but what you choose to do, and how you do it, matters if you survive.
This is would be a good book for younger readers to better understand something about WWI.
December 25, 2012
November 11, 1918, 5:00am. Old men, who get to decide these things, decide that World War I, “The Great War”, would end in six hours. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month; it had a nice sound to it. It gave the old men time to tell everyone and make sure everyone was on board. It also gave young men six hours to die.
February 22, 2020
Good book
January 28, 2020
I really love reading about one of the most terrible periods in European history: the Great War. I’m particularly drawn to the psychological horror all those involved had to suffer for years on end. Whenever I watch a documentary or movie or read a book about the Great War, I always focus on how the suffering is framed.
A week ago, while I was working in our school library, I came across this book Eleven Eleven and was promptly motivated to plunge once more into this shellshock world. Unfortunately, Dowswell’s bland read failed to impinge upon me. I found the plot) too unvarnished and I believe it could easily be set in a different time period with some stock turns of phrases. The character depth is restricted to a bellicose flyboy who is willing to go on an asinine mission and risk his life to impress the people in his hometown, a soldier who is merely worried about his younger brother and a German soldier. In no single way does the narrator succeed in portraying the mental exhaustion that was so ubiquitous throughout the entire war, and even more so in 1918. That’s why I believe that 2 stars is more than enough for this book.
A week ago, while I was working in our school library, I came across this book Eleven Eleven and was promptly motivated to plunge once more into this shellshock world. Unfortunately, Dowswell’s bland read failed to impinge upon me. I found the plot) too unvarnished and I believe it could easily be set in a different time period with some stock turns of phrases. The character depth is restricted to a bellicose flyboy who is willing to go on an asinine mission and risk his life to impress the people in his hometown, a soldier who is merely worried about his younger brother and a German soldier. In no single way does the narrator succeed in portraying the mental exhaustion that was so ubiquitous throughout the entire war, and even more so in 1918. That’s why I believe that 2 stars is more than enough for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2021
What a nice little vignette of a book.
It mainly takes place on the last day of the Great (First World) War, seen through the eyes of three of the combatants - two young soldiers, one English and one German, and an American airplane pilot (I don't think they distinguished between bombers and fighters in 1918).
Their paths inexorably cross...... and I'll leave it there for fear of spoiling any further plot lines.
Whilst the story itself is entertaining enough, with believable characters and sometimes far too visceral descriptions, the real joy of this novella is the gentle but persuasive argument it makes for the utter futility of war.
Both sides knew that the war was due to finish that morning, yet for a number of compelling reasons, people were still being sent to their death short hours and minutes before the senseless fighting was due to stop.
It is that thread, which runs throughout the book, which elevates this story to being a little bit better than average. A lot better than average in fact. A short, but very stimulating read.
It mainly takes place on the last day of the Great (First World) War, seen through the eyes of three of the combatants - two young soldiers, one English and one German, and an American airplane pilot (I don't think they distinguished between bombers and fighters in 1918).
Their paths inexorably cross...... and I'll leave it there for fear of spoiling any further plot lines.
Whilst the story itself is entertaining enough, with believable characters and sometimes far too visceral descriptions, the real joy of this novella is the gentle but persuasive argument it makes for the utter futility of war.
Both sides knew that the war was due to finish that morning, yet for a number of compelling reasons, people were still being sent to their death short hours and minutes before the senseless fighting was due to stop.
It is that thread, which runs throughout the book, which elevates this story to being a little bit better than average. A lot better than average in fact. A short, but very stimulating read.
February 1, 2020
This story follows three men: two soldiers and a pilot in WW1. A German, a Brit, and an American. The story is told from the three points of view in the 6 hours after the Armistice was signed and the bigwigs involved decided the war would end 6 hours later at 11am.
What really got to me was the fact that so many lives were lost despite the war being over because it was decided that it would continue for another 6 hours.
Dowswell captures the sheer horror of war and horrific conditions both the Brits and German infantry had to endure. Delving into the mindset of men who are potentially one bullet or shell away from death was fascinating and upsetting to read.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in wartime books as it has been researched well, and the narrative has been well developed.
What really got to me was the fact that so many lives were lost despite the war being over because it was decided that it would continue for another 6 hours.
Dowswell captures the sheer horror of war and horrific conditions both the Brits and German infantry had to endure. Delving into the mindset of men who are potentially one bullet or shell away from death was fascinating and upsetting to read.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in wartime books as it has been researched well, and the narrative has been well developed.
September 11, 2022
I liked the book because of the many different details. The whole outline was great because of what the story was telling. When they were in World War One, it stuck out that they didn't know the war was over. It was something new to me because I don't usually read war books. It was also different because instead of it being a book following an American it was following german soldiers. Also, the fact that it was teenagers in the war was intense because they were younger but at least they got along and became friends. The book was very well set out and I would recommend it to almost anyone from age thirteen to nineteen. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes the military and people that like to read war books.
March 7, 2020
I have not given this book 3 stars because it is bad. No instead it's a good book that is enjoyable to read given it's quite short. No I have given it 3 stars because it simply isn't anything exceptional, it doesn't do anything special. It doesn't have an above average writing style. It's simply a bog standard book that is a fun read and has some enjoyable character dynamics. It's just a standard book of the genre, it's voice isn't that strong. Overall not a knock against the author or book as you will enjoy it, just don't go in expecting anything new.
February 25, 2019
The perspective switches were unclear and confused me quite a lot especially in the beginning of the book.
But the story was well-written, bringing to life the cruel realities of war. The three boys shared this tragedy, and books about these are reminders of the choices we made in history.
Hate leads to murder, and that only leads to more hate, death and suffering.
But the story was well-written, bringing to life the cruel realities of war. The three boys shared this tragedy, and books about these are reminders of the choices we made in history.
Hate leads to murder, and that only leads to more hate, death and suffering.
January 17, 2021
Prima guerra mondiale, tre ragazzi del 1989.
Ultima Alba di guerra, i ragazzi si incontrano durante gli ultimi istanti della guerra. Fantasmi di uomini morti nel passato, paura della morte, sogni sul futuro accompagnano i ragazzi nella lotta verso la sopravvivenza.
Il timore di non riuscire a farcela si mischiano ai sogni di gloria.
Scrittura scorrevole e rappresentazioni vivide, chi legge fatica a fermarsi.
Ultima Alba di guerra, i ragazzi si incontrano durante gli ultimi istanti della guerra. Fantasmi di uomini morti nel passato, paura della morte, sogni sul futuro accompagnano i ragazzi nella lotta verso la sopravvivenza.
Il timore di non riuscire a farcela si mischiano ai sogni di gloria.
Scrittura scorrevole e rappresentazioni vivide, chi legge fatica a fermarsi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
A engaging story of three young men in the last 12 hours of World War one. Will an underage soldier from Britain, Axel a young German Private and Eddie an American Pilot, each seeking to survive the war. It seemed so hopeful when the armistice comes into force at 11 o'clock yet there were still four more chapters.
November 11, 2019
This book was very thrilling and gave a lot of facts and details that I didn't even know happened like how many people didn't know the war was over and lost their lives fighting not knowing the war was over.
Read
April 5, 2020Oorlogsboek. Nadat op 11 november 1918 de wapenstilstand is getekend, volgt nog een korte heftige strijd. Het noodlot brengt drie jonge militairen bij elkaar, waardoor hun levens een bijzondere wending nemen.
January 5, 2021
L'ultimo giorno della prima guerra mondiale raccontato attraverso gli occhi di Eddie, Axel e Will. Tre ragazzi, tre storie ma un unico comun denominatore, l'assurdità della guerra. Bel libro, consigliato.
July 31, 2024
11 novembre 1918, ore 11.00 : è finita la Prima Guerra Mondiale. Sul fronte occidentale si incontrano 3 soldati: Axel fante tedesco, Will inglese, Eddi aviatore americano. Guerra, spari, morti, boschi minati, paesi distrutti, popolazioni allo stremo. Bello.
February 13, 2013
Originally posted here: http://rebecca-books.blogspot.co.uk/2...
Paul Dowswell is an author that isn't too well-known. But this is actually the second book I have read by him, the first being the simply brilliant Auslander focusing on life in Nazi Germany during World War II (review).
Eleven Eleven is Dowswell's new offering to the YA historical fiction world centred around the last day of World War I - something that intrigued me enough to pick up this book as I don't think I've ever seen a book on this subject before.
I'd seen this at work and had wondered whether to buy it, never quite sure. So when I saw it in my local library, I was thrilled to have a chance to read it. This isn't an author you see frequently around the blogosphere so I went into this book blind, hoping for another amazing and shocking story like Auslander. I was hardly disappointed.
Synopsis: In the final 24 hours of World War I on the 11th November 1918, a German storm trooper, American airman and British Tommy are all on a battlefield in France fighting for their countries, oblivious that at 11am, fighting will cease. After a series of events, the three young boys find themselves depending on one another for survival as 11am strucks. A friendship forms and soon their place of birth doesn't matter. But who will survive the 11th November and who will live?
Review: This isn't a book I would normally go for. I like books with romance or an element of dystopian so combined with the intrigue about the topic, I was mostly starting this book because of absolutely loving Dowswell's other book, Auslander.
Some historical war fiction books normally focus on at least one of two things: it is set nearly always in World War II or set only in one country from one country's point of view which normally leaves Germany not looking that fantastic. Eleven, Eleven subverts the latter drastically with having protagonists from different countries and doing different jobs to help the war giving the novel a more rounded perspective of the day. There is Will, a British soldier who has been in France for months after being persuaded my his sweetheart's father to go to war (a farce to get him away from his daughter in the hope that Will would get killed). Eddie, an American pilot that has killed four Germans and needs his fifth to arrive home a war hero. And finally Axel, a young German foot soldier on his first day of fighting (and the last day at war). The protagonists neither had a great impact on me or annoy me but I left the story caring about what would happen to them, especially after a final revelation literally on the last line. I just liked that this was a book that was completely different to any other YA historical war fiction that I've had the fortune to read.
So I liked the protagonists, they were down to earth, realistic and more to the point, likeable, I felt for them. The development and pacing of the story however, was a little disappointing. From my recollection of Auslander, the story was constantly moving with event after event which is how you would expect in these type of books. However, in Eleven Eleven, I was not immediately grabbed and wanting desperately to find out what would happen. No, it took a while for me to get into the story and for the story really to start developing. And then when the story really got going, it was a few chapters from the end. The part where the three boys come together is rather short especially as that is essentially a pivotal moment to the narrative. They are together for a couple of chapters, help each other and then separate. As I saw suggested on one review on Goodreads, for me, the book could have been longer with more impact and drama from the moment that Will, Axel and Eddie meet.
I have to award Dowswell however for the writing. Sometimes book can make you feel smile, laugh, be uncomfortable and sad within a few pages and this is one of those said books. It is what I love about good literature where the author can manipulate your feelings within just a chapter. Dowswell makes you feel both hopeful for the characters until suddenly there's this destruction and death and it makes that hope seem completely impossibly unreachable. This mixture was just so heartbreaking to read about that shows the true stark reality of World War I. By the end, despite the pace, I was so intrigued to see who would be alive - would Eddie, Will AND Axel make it? Would their family die? You'll have to read it to find out!
World War I is a time that little of us I think know much about apart from the basic portrayals from dramas and comedies like Blackadder Goes Forth and first person accounts or biographies. It is a topic I think a lot of writers avoid because of the devastation of this war, the politics and the fact that World War II happened a shorter amount of time ago. Dowswell gives a realistic and brutal portrayal of the time aimed directly at young people that really resonates. This is an incredibly short read, but boy, does it pack a huge punch at the end. Brilliant.
I give it a 4 out of 5
Paul Dowswell is an author that isn't too well-known. But this is actually the second book I have read by him, the first being the simply brilliant Auslander focusing on life in Nazi Germany during World War II (review).
Eleven Eleven is Dowswell's new offering to the YA historical fiction world centred around the last day of World War I - something that intrigued me enough to pick up this book as I don't think I've ever seen a book on this subject before.
I'd seen this at work and had wondered whether to buy it, never quite sure. So when I saw it in my local library, I was thrilled to have a chance to read it. This isn't an author you see frequently around the blogosphere so I went into this book blind, hoping for another amazing and shocking story like Auslander. I was hardly disappointed.
Synopsis: In the final 24 hours of World War I on the 11th November 1918, a German storm trooper, American airman and British Tommy are all on a battlefield in France fighting for their countries, oblivious that at 11am, fighting will cease. After a series of events, the three young boys find themselves depending on one another for survival as 11am strucks. A friendship forms and soon their place of birth doesn't matter. But who will survive the 11th November and who will live?
Review: This isn't a book I would normally go for. I like books with romance or an element of dystopian so combined with the intrigue about the topic, I was mostly starting this book because of absolutely loving Dowswell's other book, Auslander.
Some historical war fiction books normally focus on at least one of two things: it is set nearly always in World War II or set only in one country from one country's point of view which normally leaves Germany not looking that fantastic. Eleven, Eleven subverts the latter drastically with having protagonists from different countries and doing different jobs to help the war giving the novel a more rounded perspective of the day. There is Will, a British soldier who has been in France for months after being persuaded my his sweetheart's father to go to war (a farce to get him away from his daughter in the hope that Will would get killed). Eddie, an American pilot that has killed four Germans and needs his fifth to arrive home a war hero. And finally Axel, a young German foot soldier on his first day of fighting (and the last day at war). The protagonists neither had a great impact on me or annoy me but I left the story caring about what would happen to them, especially after a final revelation literally on the last line. I just liked that this was a book that was completely different to any other YA historical war fiction that I've had the fortune to read.
So I liked the protagonists, they were down to earth, realistic and more to the point, likeable, I felt for them. The development and pacing of the story however, was a little disappointing. From my recollection of Auslander, the story was constantly moving with event after event which is how you would expect in these type of books. However, in Eleven Eleven, I was not immediately grabbed and wanting desperately to find out what would happen. No, it took a while for me to get into the story and for the story really to start developing. And then when the story really got going, it was a few chapters from the end. The part where the three boys come together is rather short especially as that is essentially a pivotal moment to the narrative. They are together for a couple of chapters, help each other and then separate. As I saw suggested on one review on Goodreads, for me, the book could have been longer with more impact and drama from the moment that Will, Axel and Eddie meet.
I have to award Dowswell however for the writing. Sometimes book can make you feel smile, laugh, be uncomfortable and sad within a few pages and this is one of those said books. It is what I love about good literature where the author can manipulate your feelings within just a chapter. Dowswell makes you feel both hopeful for the characters until suddenly there's this destruction and death and it makes that hope seem completely impossibly unreachable. This mixture was just so heartbreaking to read about that shows the true stark reality of World War I. By the end, despite the pace, I was so intrigued to see who would be alive - would Eddie, Will AND Axel make it? Would their family die? You'll have to read it to find out!
World War I is a time that little of us I think know much about apart from the basic portrayals from dramas and comedies like Blackadder Goes Forth and first person accounts or biographies. It is a topic I think a lot of writers avoid because of the devastation of this war, the politics and the fact that World War II happened a shorter amount of time ago. Dowswell gives a realistic and brutal portrayal of the time aimed directly at young people that really resonates. This is an incredibly short read, but boy, does it pack a huge punch at the end. Brilliant.
I give it a 4 out of 5
January 12, 2018
Very well done, story and characters had me gripped, very sad indeed what so many went through.
January 27, 2020
YOOOOOO!
WHAT A READ!!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
THIS BOOK HURTS ME AND HAUNTS MY DREAMS!!!!
HISTORICALLY ACCURATE AND INSANELY VIVID!!!!!
WHAT A READ!!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
THIS BOOK HURTS ME AND HAUNTS MY DREAMS!!!!
HISTORICALLY ACCURATE AND INSANELY VIVID!!!!!
Read
March 1, 2021L'ultimo giorno di guerra dal punto di vista di un inglese, di un americano e di un tedesco
August 19, 2023
Livre simplement écrit mais qui nous rappelle la réalité de notre histoire, d’un point de vue rarement évoqué.
September 17, 2025
moeilijk te begrijpen
May 16, 2014
William, Axel et Eddy sont trois jeunes hommes que la guerre a réuni, mais dans des camps différents. L'armistice a été signé, mais la fin de la guerre ne sera sonnée que dans six heures. Une offensive est justement prévue, une heure avant la fin...
11 Novembre est un roman signé par l'historien Paul Dowswel et publié aux Editions Naïve, dans leur collection Naïveland. C'est un livre de 231 pages que vous pourrez acquérir pour 18,00€, qui relate les dernières heures de la première guerre mondiale...
L’aventure débute le 11 novembre 1918 à deux heures du matin, quelques heures avant que l’armistice soit signée et quelques heures avant que la fin de la guerre de ne soit annoncée. Nous suivons alternativement trois personnages.
Nous rencontrons tout d'abord Axel, un jeune lycéen germanique tout juste débarqué sur le front. Il n'a que 16/17 ans mais s'apprête à vivre les heures les plus dures de sa vie, sans savoir que l'armistice sera bientôt signé...
Puis nous rencontrons William, une jeune britannique pas plus vieux qu’Axel, mais qui m'a l'air d'être sur le front depuis un peu plus longtemps. Sans savoir que l'armistice a été signé, il s'apprête, en compagnie de ses frères d'armes, à lancer une offensive sur un petit village belge où les allemands se seraient installés.
Et puis il y a Eddy, le plus vieux des trois de quelques années, qui est pilote américain. Alors qu'on lui annonce la fin de la guerre, il n'a qu'un seul remord : ne pas avoir abattu un cinquième avion, ce qui aurait fait de lui un as. Il décide alors, dans les dernières heures qu'il reste à la guerre, de partir à la recherche de ce cinquième avion...
C'est une aventure simple, rapide mais efficace. Paul Dowswell n'en est pas à son premier roman, et j'ai beaucoup entendu parler de son livre Etranger à Berlin, en bien.
Ce livre est un peu trop court pour que nous puissions nous attacher réellement aux personnages. Néanmoins, comme le lecteur sait que la guerre aurait pu être arrêtée à 6 h 00 du matin et qu'elle est prolongée jusque 11 h 00, nous nous angoissons pour ces trois jeunes héros. Dans les premiers chapitres, nous découvrons leur histoire, celle de leur famille... Dans les derniers, nous voyons l'annonce de la fin de la guerre. Mais celle-ci ne signifie pas pour autant qu'il n'y aura plus de mort...
J’ai lu ce roman en quelques heures et je ne me suis pas ennuyée du tout. Je n’ai pas ressenti d’émotion particulière : pas d’angoisse, pas de tristesse, pas de colère… Juste un sentiment de fatalité. Néanmoins, je voulais savoir ce qui allait arriver à nos trois héros, s’ils allaient être amenés à se rencontrer et si oui, dans quelle circonstance ? L’un deux allaient-ils tuer l’autre ? Autant de question qui m’ont donné envie d’avancer ce livre.
Ce n’est donc pas un livre extraordinaire mais c’est une petite aventure historique très plaisante à lire, pas trop dur psychologiquement pour le lecteur, bien écrite et prenante mine de rien.
A découvrir si vous en avez l’occasion !
Conclusion
Petit et bien écrit, ce roman nous emporte rapidement pour une aventure aux dernières heures de la première guerre mondiale, avec trois personnages dans des camps différents. Une petite aventure historique simple mais efficace, qui nous fera angoisser pour ces trois héros, trop jeunes pour mourir.
Un petit livre que je vous recommande de découvrir, pour quelques heures de lecture.
Je pense que ce livre est accessible dès 13 ans et je le recommande à tous, à ceux qui s’intéressent à l’histoire, à ceux qui s’intéressent à la première guerre mondiale mais aussi aux autres, car il me semble important de se souvenir de ce genre d’événement.
11 Novembre est un roman signé par l'historien Paul Dowswel et publié aux Editions Naïve, dans leur collection Naïveland. C'est un livre de 231 pages que vous pourrez acquérir pour 18,00€, qui relate les dernières heures de la première guerre mondiale...
L’aventure débute le 11 novembre 1918 à deux heures du matin, quelques heures avant que l’armistice soit signée et quelques heures avant que la fin de la guerre de ne soit annoncée. Nous suivons alternativement trois personnages.
Nous rencontrons tout d'abord Axel, un jeune lycéen germanique tout juste débarqué sur le front. Il n'a que 16/17 ans mais s'apprête à vivre les heures les plus dures de sa vie, sans savoir que l'armistice sera bientôt signé...
Puis nous rencontrons William, une jeune britannique pas plus vieux qu’Axel, mais qui m'a l'air d'être sur le front depuis un peu plus longtemps. Sans savoir que l'armistice a été signé, il s'apprête, en compagnie de ses frères d'armes, à lancer une offensive sur un petit village belge où les allemands se seraient installés.
Et puis il y a Eddy, le plus vieux des trois de quelques années, qui est pilote américain. Alors qu'on lui annonce la fin de la guerre, il n'a qu'un seul remord : ne pas avoir abattu un cinquième avion, ce qui aurait fait de lui un as. Il décide alors, dans les dernières heures qu'il reste à la guerre, de partir à la recherche de ce cinquième avion...
C'est une aventure simple, rapide mais efficace. Paul Dowswell n'en est pas à son premier roman, et j'ai beaucoup entendu parler de son livre Etranger à Berlin, en bien.
Ce livre est un peu trop court pour que nous puissions nous attacher réellement aux personnages. Néanmoins, comme le lecteur sait que la guerre aurait pu être arrêtée à 6 h 00 du matin et qu'elle est prolongée jusque 11 h 00, nous nous angoissons pour ces trois jeunes héros. Dans les premiers chapitres, nous découvrons leur histoire, celle de leur famille... Dans les derniers, nous voyons l'annonce de la fin de la guerre. Mais celle-ci ne signifie pas pour autant qu'il n'y aura plus de mort...
J’ai lu ce roman en quelques heures et je ne me suis pas ennuyée du tout. Je n’ai pas ressenti d’émotion particulière : pas d’angoisse, pas de tristesse, pas de colère… Juste un sentiment de fatalité. Néanmoins, je voulais savoir ce qui allait arriver à nos trois héros, s’ils allaient être amenés à se rencontrer et si oui, dans quelle circonstance ? L’un deux allaient-ils tuer l’autre ? Autant de question qui m’ont donné envie d’avancer ce livre.
Ce n’est donc pas un livre extraordinaire mais c’est une petite aventure historique très plaisante à lire, pas trop dur psychologiquement pour le lecteur, bien écrite et prenante mine de rien.
A découvrir si vous en avez l’occasion !
Conclusion
Petit et bien écrit, ce roman nous emporte rapidement pour une aventure aux dernières heures de la première guerre mondiale, avec trois personnages dans des camps différents. Une petite aventure historique simple mais efficace, qui nous fera angoisser pour ces trois héros, trop jeunes pour mourir.
Un petit livre que je vous recommande de découvrir, pour quelques heures de lecture.
Je pense que ce livre est accessible dès 13 ans et je le recommande à tous, à ceux qui s’intéressent à l’histoire, à ceux qui s’intéressent à la première guerre mondiale mais aussi aux autres, car il me semble important de se souvenir de ce genre d’événement.
January 11, 2013
Thoughts on the Overall Book: I was very excited to find this book because for starters, there are very few novels about WWI out there so I always love it when I find one, and secondly because Paul Dowswell who is a relatively new author on my shelf writes an amazing historical novel. I was not disappointed in this book, despite a couple problems I had (which I'll address later) and I really liked the characters in it and the camaraderie.
Cover--Yea or Nay: I love the cover of this one, it looks like the book feels, if that makes any sense. You can definitely tell it's a WWI novel and the colors/silhouettes really reflect the darkness of the war. Frankly, anything with a WWI biplane on it is going to attract my attention.
Characters: We have three main characters here, Axel a young German boy, Will a young English soldier, and Eddie, an American pilot. I liked how this book gave a look into both sides of the war, and showed the pointlessness of the fighting. All three boys were likable characters and you felt for them very much. I also liked a lot of the secondary characters.
Writing Style: The writing style is good, and as usual this author did fantastic research to make this very authentic, even down to the personalities of the different people and regiments. I think the pilots were especially portrayed authentically ;). It was brutal, and realistic, and I like that in a war story. I always love military adventure, but I do appreciate a good well-written realistic war novel as well.
Problems/What bothered me: There were a couple things that I didn't like quite so much about this book which is why I marked it as four stars. First off, I think it could have been a bit longer, or I think the three boys could have met sooner. What we have is good, but I actually would have liked to see a lot more camaraderie between them than we get here. I did like that this book is set on the last day of the war, but I think it could have been written to span the last few days and then given more time for the characters to interact with each other. That might not have bothered me so much if the book had not ended rather abruptly. I think that might just be something one should expect from this author though, because "Auslander" was the same way, ending kind of as a cliff hanger-chapter end thing, but yet, there's no sequels. The ending was not very satisfying for me, and while it was bitter-sweet, it was almost too abrupt to feel much at all, and kind of felt a little unfinished. But the course of the story itself was good.
Conclusion: 4 stars. This was a good WWI novel, despite the ending and I did enjoy it.
Recommended Audience: Older teens, and historical fiction/war fiction fans. There's obviously lots of violence, and it doesn't end as happy as it could, so if that bothers you, I wouldn't suggest it.
Cover--Yea or Nay: I love the cover of this one, it looks like the book feels, if that makes any sense. You can definitely tell it's a WWI novel and the colors/silhouettes really reflect the darkness of the war. Frankly, anything with a WWI biplane on it is going to attract my attention.
Characters: We have three main characters here, Axel a young German boy, Will a young English soldier, and Eddie, an American pilot. I liked how this book gave a look into both sides of the war, and showed the pointlessness of the fighting. All three boys were likable characters and you felt for them very much. I also liked a lot of the secondary characters.
Writing Style: The writing style is good, and as usual this author did fantastic research to make this very authentic, even down to the personalities of the different people and regiments. I think the pilots were especially portrayed authentically ;). It was brutal, and realistic, and I like that in a war story. I always love military adventure, but I do appreciate a good well-written realistic war novel as well.
Problems/What bothered me: There were a couple things that I didn't like quite so much about this book which is why I marked it as four stars. First off, I think it could have been a bit longer, or I think the three boys could have met sooner. What we have is good, but I actually would have liked to see a lot more camaraderie between them than we get here. I did like that this book is set on the last day of the war, but I think it could have been written to span the last few days and then given more time for the characters to interact with each other. That might not have bothered me so much if the book had not ended rather abruptly. I think that might just be something one should expect from this author though, because "Auslander" was the same way, ending kind of as a cliff hanger-chapter end thing, but yet, there's no sequels. The ending was not very satisfying for me, and while it was bitter-sweet, it was almost too abrupt to feel much at all, and kind of felt a little unfinished. But the course of the story itself was good.
Conclusion: 4 stars. This was a good WWI novel, despite the ending and I did enjoy it.
Recommended Audience: Older teens, and historical fiction/war fiction fans. There's obviously lots of violence, and it doesn't end as happy as it could, so if that bothers you, I wouldn't suggest it.
May 28, 2014
e remercie tout d’abord Babelio et les Editions NaïveLand pour leur confiance.
En ce centenaire de la première guerre mondiale, les romans et divers ouvrages littéraires sur ce triste événement fleurissent les rayons de nos librairies.
11 Novembre se consacre à la fin de la guerre, et plus particulièrement à son dernier jour, même s’il y a bien sur dans certains chapitres des traces de toute l’horreur de ce conflit.
Nous sommes donc le 11 novembre 1918, il est sept heure du matin environ au début du roman, l’armistice a été signée durant la nuit, mais chose complètement aberrante, la guerre est déclarée terminée à 11h00. Et oui, la onzième heure, du onzième jour du onzième mois, ça fait bien sur le papier.
Mais en attendant, la nouvelle n’est pas encore parvenue partout. Et la guerre continue de faire rage. Nous suivons donc trois personnages. Il y a d’abord Axel, un jeune allemand, il est gentil et prêt à aider ses camarades. Pourtant lui aussi, a la trouille de mourir. Ensuite, il y a Will, un jeune anglais d’à peine seize ans, qui s’est engagé pour prouver au père d’Alice sa petite amie, qu’il était assez courageux pour mériter sa fille. Mais maintenant qu’il est sur le front, Will a peur lui aussi. Il est épuisé aussi bien physiquement que psychologiquement, il a vu tant d’horreur. Enfin, il y a Eddie un jeune pilote américain qui rêve de devenir un as.
Ce roman a un très gros potentiel pédagogique je trouve, il y a une mine d’informations sur l’absurdité et les horreurs de cette guerre. C’est assez bien documenté. L’écriture est très agréable, il se lit très vite.
Maintenant, il a été difficile pour moi de m’attacher aux personnages, j’avais très peur de les voir disparaître à chaque instant. Mais je n’ai pas pu faire autrement, au fur et à mesure que les pages se tournaient, petit à petit je me suis prise d’affection pour eux, en particulier pour le jeune Will.
Dans ce roman, il n’y a pas de gentils ou de mauvais, puisqu’on suit tous les camps. Or ils sont tous humains, et ils sont tous là, empêtrés dans cet horrible conflit, à rêver de rentrer chez eux, à penser à leurs amis, leurs familles.
En bref, une lecture bien sympathique, sur un sujet historique fort. A laisser entre tous les mains, pour ne jamais oublier !
Ce roman a été publié aux Editions NaïveLand en Février 2014.
http://milleetunepages.com/2014/05/28...
En ce centenaire de la première guerre mondiale, les romans et divers ouvrages littéraires sur ce triste événement fleurissent les rayons de nos librairies.
11 Novembre se consacre à la fin de la guerre, et plus particulièrement à son dernier jour, même s’il y a bien sur dans certains chapitres des traces de toute l’horreur de ce conflit.
Nous sommes donc le 11 novembre 1918, il est sept heure du matin environ au début du roman, l’armistice a été signée durant la nuit, mais chose complètement aberrante, la guerre est déclarée terminée à 11h00. Et oui, la onzième heure, du onzième jour du onzième mois, ça fait bien sur le papier.
Mais en attendant, la nouvelle n’est pas encore parvenue partout. Et la guerre continue de faire rage. Nous suivons donc trois personnages. Il y a d’abord Axel, un jeune allemand, il est gentil et prêt à aider ses camarades. Pourtant lui aussi, a la trouille de mourir. Ensuite, il y a Will, un jeune anglais d’à peine seize ans, qui s’est engagé pour prouver au père d’Alice sa petite amie, qu’il était assez courageux pour mériter sa fille. Mais maintenant qu’il est sur le front, Will a peur lui aussi. Il est épuisé aussi bien physiquement que psychologiquement, il a vu tant d’horreur. Enfin, il y a Eddie un jeune pilote américain qui rêve de devenir un as.
Ce roman a un très gros potentiel pédagogique je trouve, il y a une mine d’informations sur l’absurdité et les horreurs de cette guerre. C’est assez bien documenté. L’écriture est très agréable, il se lit très vite.
Maintenant, il a été difficile pour moi de m’attacher aux personnages, j’avais très peur de les voir disparaître à chaque instant. Mais je n’ai pas pu faire autrement, au fur et à mesure que les pages se tournaient, petit à petit je me suis prise d’affection pour eux, en particulier pour le jeune Will.
Dans ce roman, il n’y a pas de gentils ou de mauvais, puisqu’on suit tous les camps. Or ils sont tous humains, et ils sont tous là, empêtrés dans cet horrible conflit, à rêver de rentrer chez eux, à penser à leurs amis, leurs familles.
En bref, une lecture bien sympathique, sur un sujet historique fort. A laisser entre tous les mains, pour ne jamais oublier !
Ce roman a été publié aux Editions NaïveLand en Février 2014.
http://milleetunepages.com/2014/05/28...
October 18, 2014
Un libro senza anima.
Che sembra proprio brutto a dirsi ma è così. Ho letto qualche libro sulla Prima Guerra Mondiale, scritti per lo più da gente che effettivamente l'ha vissuta, ma questo è stato proprio insipido. Quasi didattico, perché a volte l'autore era più interessato a spiegare il come piuttosto che presentare in modo un po' più approfondito i personaggi.
C'è l'inglesino Will, che si arruola perché il padre della ragazza cui fa la corte non lo vuole intorno alla figlia. C'è l'americanino Eddie che fa il pilota perché fa figo e c'è Axel, il ragazzo tedesco, che si arruola a sedici anni perché tutti gli altri erano ormai stati chiamati in guerra. I tre ragazzi si incontrano durante le ultime ore della Prima Guerra Mondiale ma non tutti ne usciranno vivi.
L'autore fa un buon lavoro a mostrare l'inutilità di quelle ultime ore di guerra, che si protrae fino alle 11 dell'undicesimo giorno dell'undicesimo mese. Eddie vuole diventare un asso dell'aviazione e ha bisogno di abbattere un quinto aereo nemico. Gli inglese devono attaccare alle dieci e i tedeschi... un paio di capoccioni devono farsi belli prima di finire nel dimenticatoio. Le scene che vengono presentate al lettore, però, sono molto diluite.
Il traduttore mi ha lasciato un po' perplessa, però. A parte che non avevo mai sentito parlare di piastrini al maschile - anche se poi effettivamente esiste sul dizionario - egli parla di unni quando si riferisce ai tedeschi. Se dal punto di vista inglese, la cosa è corretta, in italiano non mi erano mai capitato di imbattermi su questa parola in riferimento ai tedeschi. E il dizionario dice solo «Chi dimostra ferocia e barbarie», mentre hun in inglese è proprio un tedesco. Nelle parole del dizionario Oxford «(derogatory) A German (especially during the First and Second World Wars).»
Insipido comunque. Se proprio uno vuole andare a leggere sulla Prima Guerra Mondiale vada da Remarque o da Lussu.
Che sembra proprio brutto a dirsi ma è così. Ho letto qualche libro sulla Prima Guerra Mondiale, scritti per lo più da gente che effettivamente l'ha vissuta, ma questo è stato proprio insipido. Quasi didattico, perché a volte l'autore era più interessato a spiegare il come piuttosto che presentare in modo un po' più approfondito i personaggi.
C'è l'inglesino Will, che si arruola perché il padre della ragazza cui fa la corte non lo vuole intorno alla figlia. C'è l'americanino Eddie che fa il pilota perché fa figo e c'è Axel, il ragazzo tedesco, che si arruola a sedici anni perché tutti gli altri erano ormai stati chiamati in guerra. I tre ragazzi si incontrano durante le ultime ore della Prima Guerra Mondiale ma non tutti ne usciranno vivi.
L'autore fa un buon lavoro a mostrare l'inutilità di quelle ultime ore di guerra, che si protrae fino alle 11 dell'undicesimo giorno dell'undicesimo mese. Eddie vuole diventare un asso dell'aviazione e ha bisogno di abbattere un quinto aereo nemico. Gli inglese devono attaccare alle dieci e i tedeschi... un paio di capoccioni devono farsi belli prima di finire nel dimenticatoio. Le scene che vengono presentate al lettore, però, sono molto diluite.
Il traduttore mi ha lasciato un po' perplessa, però. A parte che non avevo mai sentito parlare di piastrini al maschile - anche se poi effettivamente esiste sul dizionario - egli parla di unni quando si riferisce ai tedeschi. Se dal punto di vista inglese, la cosa è corretta, in italiano non mi erano mai capitato di imbattermi su questa parola in riferimento ai tedeschi. E il dizionario dice solo «Chi dimostra ferocia e barbarie», mentre hun in inglese è proprio un tedesco. Nelle parole del dizionario Oxford «(derogatory) A German (especially during the First and Second World Wars).»
Insipido comunque. Se proprio uno vuole andare a leggere sulla Prima Guerra Mondiale vada da Remarque o da Lussu.
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