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Paddy Scott's War
On Aug 4th 1914 Britain declared war on Germany.
Paddy, with his father, fished out of Quidi Vidi on the east coast of Newfoundland. When the Government called for able-bodied volunteers to fight for King and country, young men from harbours and towns eagerly responded. Underaged, Paddy was forced to wait and contrive a way to gain the support of his family and sweetheart who were against him enlisting.
Unable to resist the lure of adventure and the pride of patriotism, Paddy joined the Regiment. He embraced the role of a soldier and forged close friendships with courageous young men from all parts of Newfoundland.
However, nothing can prepare a person for the shock, intensity, and horror of war. July 1st, 1916, on the battlefield of Beaumont Hamel, Paddy met that reality. The young man who sailed into St. John’s harbour at the end of August 1916 was a changed person from the one who, just a year earlier, had stood at the ship's railing together with his fellow soldiers, laughing and waving to family and friends.
Can Paddy accept the changes to his life and strive to build a new future for himself?
Paddy, with his father, fished out of Quidi Vidi on the east coast of Newfoundland. When the Government called for able-bodied volunteers to fight for King and country, young men from harbours and towns eagerly responded. Underaged, Paddy was forced to wait and contrive a way to gain the support of his family and sweetheart who were against him enlisting.
Unable to resist the lure of adventure and the pride of patriotism, Paddy joined the Regiment. He embraced the role of a soldier and forged close friendships with courageous young men from all parts of Newfoundland.
However, nothing can prepare a person for the shock, intensity, and horror of war. July 1st, 1916, on the battlefield of Beaumont Hamel, Paddy met that reality. The young man who sailed into St. John’s harbour at the end of August 1916 was a changed person from the one who, just a year earlier, had stood at the ship's railing together with his fellow soldiers, laughing and waving to family and friends.
Can Paddy accept the changes to his life and strive to build a new future for himself?
430 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 24, 2021
I really enjoyed the read. It is a great story for a first time author. Well done.
November 19, 2020
Tragic, funny, sad, happy. This book has it all. An amazing page turner from a first time author. You’ll quickly be immersed in Paddy’s trials and tribulations. Very authentic to its geography and colloquialisms. A roller coaster of emotions. Have some tissue handy, it may bring a tear to your eye...more than once! You’ll also find yourself cheering heartily for Paddy. I was disappointed with what I found to be an abrupt ending.....I was ready for at least another 100 pages!
January 26, 2021
For a book that deals with the subject of war and it's unforeseen effects on those at the front lines, it's tone remains gentle and personal. The author's first hand knowledge of the people and the environment of St. John's lent credence to the story and Paddy's struggles to return to civilian life. A fine novel and a great read.
July 14, 2023
A decent first novel but could have used a round of story editing before this release. A bit too mechanical (dialogue, character development) but depicts well the horror of battle and the anguish of recovery of a youthful volunteer to the Newfoundland Regiment in the First World War.
November 17, 2020
An astonishing first novel about a young Newfoundland man’s call to war and how he copes with the aftermath.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews