The Consequence

by Gerald Jones

The characters that walk the pages of this book are factious, but their stories will be told many times and by many who have lived their nightmares, shared their joys and felt their pain. To those ends the word consequence was a word that they eventually understood. Bill. With his friends stood on foreign ground under a foreign sky. Their purpose, to fight in a war that would bring them honour, glory and the right of passage to a mind that was not as it was. Jim. A father whose sole intention was to survive and go home. Jack. The army had become a life he had got used to, only to return and live a life he no longer wanted. Megan. The blacksmith's sister, a fifthteen year old whose good fortune was to find herself in the company of people who loved her. Ian. Whose conflict with the enemy was only exceeded by his conflict with God. Mavis. The tempestuous lady who never really shook off the 'good time girl' of her past. Michael. An Irishman whose life was his school, and he taught it well.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2020

Reviews

[Philip Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Consequence
When you open the pages of this clearly written book, you enter a 'time machine' as you really feel that you are there with the characters who quickly become very real to you, feeling a warm fondness for them as you become concerned for them.
As a true country born person, I can clearly see that the Welsh village life described is authentic and can only be written by someone with first-hand knowledge.
For Gerald Jones to be writing on the subject of war and the effects that war has on those touched by it, is truly a very sensitive topic and this has been done with great care and thoughtfulness. Not shying away from the raw brutal nature of war and not glorifying it either.
This was an attention grabbing read for me, I could not put the book down and read it in just two days. It has left me in a very contemplative mood, but not in any way negative. I am glad to have enjoyed the experience.

[Ivan Monckton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, I believe, is the only book by the author who has self published it late in life. Unlike other self published novels I have attempted to read, this has real quality. The story of a bunch of Montgomeryshire lads who enlist during WWI and end up fighting in Egypt, along with the interlinking stories of a vicar’s socialite sister and an Irish emigrant to USA who fought in the Civil War, both of whom end up in Montgomeryshire.
There are a few anachronisms and other minor errors that would have been picked up if a professional editor/proof reader had been used, but there has been serious research and effort put into this book and it is deserving of a proper publisher. I heartily recommend it. Available from the wool shop in Newtown.

[Ian Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compassionately Written, a great thought provoking read

I have just finished reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it

It is well written, with warmth and compassion and littered with historic detail throughout

The book for me was also thought provoking, in showing how our past endeavours shape our future life

I would highly recommend reading this book and hope there will be many more to come

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weaves the stories of several residents of the Powys village of Llandyssil around their experiences on the home front and Egyptian campaigns of the First World War. Surprisingly light on the actual detail of battle, with the 3 main male characters all serving with the 7th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the three battles for Gaza in 1917. I was expecting much more about these actions, and in fact the most detailed episode relates to one incident where a group of Turkish soldiers are ambushed by the RWF patrol and brutality ensues. This could be because the author was inspired to write the story by hearing tales told by actual veterans of the campaign and was reproducing them in the novel.
The narrative is told from several viewpoints and jumps about from year to year, a little confusingly in places. I thought the story was a bit “twee” in places and I was overall rather underwhelmed, although the settings and historical detail depicted were of interest.

[Talia_Aroha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! First of all I want to say this book was so different to anything I have read before, it's a genre I am not used to, but I loved it all the same. The characters were so diverse and unique, while also fitting together. I have found that with some books with multiple characters things are always missed and one person may get more spotlight than another. However, in this book each character had their own story and was each given their time in the spotlight. I felt as though I knew each character and wanted to keep reading. I would highly recommend this book even to those who do not usually choose historical fiction like myself, you will find yourself captivated by the story and not wanting to put the book down. I found myself laughing, and tearing up during many moments in this story. Definitely a five out of five star read.

[megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, could not put it down. I also found it rather sad at times. Well worth the read.