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A Soldier's Quartet
Conrad Bentley enjoys his retirement.
By chance, he comes across a letter from WWI — a German father writes about his grief of losing a son to war — buried by his three comrades near a small French village. The letter resonates with Conrad and he commits to researching its backstory.
Months later, Conrad makes contact with the fallen soldier’s family. He falls deeper into their history and other untold stories from this era, including the fate of young Tasmanian soldiers who also fought on the Western Front.
A Soldier’s Quartet is inspired by true events, a story of perseverance and happenstance that transcends time and reaches across continents. It presents the human faces behind uniforms and battle plans, conveys love and hope set against various landscapes.
Conrad’s discovery of the letter brings the past into the present as he reflects on his own life and loss.
By chance, he comes across a letter from WWI — a German father writes about his grief of losing a son to war — buried by his three comrades near a small French village. The letter resonates with Conrad and he commits to researching its backstory.
Months later, Conrad makes contact with the fallen soldier’s family. He falls deeper into their history and other untold stories from this era, including the fate of young Tasmanian soldiers who also fought on the Western Front.
A Soldier’s Quartet is inspired by true events, a story of perseverance and happenstance that transcends time and reaches across continents. It presents the human faces behind uniforms and battle plans, conveys love and hope set against various landscapes.
Conrad’s discovery of the letter brings the past into the present as he reflects on his own life and loss.
227 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2021
4 people are currently reading
1931 people want to read
About the author
Colin Baldwin
1 book342 followersI live in lutruwita/Tasmania. A great place for views and reading books.
I enjoy some bushwalking, watching the grandchildren grow up fast, sailing (despite no sea legs), learning German and music. I play violin in a community orchestra.
I enjoy some bushwalking, watching the grandchildren grow up fast, sailing (despite no sea legs), learning German and music. I play violin in a community orchestra.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 27, 2022
This book not only shows the horrors of war, but also the ties that bind us as a people, and the need for us to work together to avoid further conflict if we wish to protect this fragile home we call Earth.
April 1, 2022
"An unknown soldier had returned to Tasmania with the letter, a war souvenir, and it fell into Conrad's hands a century later." "This letter could have been written by any father from either side...By any father who loses a son...". The German letter was found on the morning of August 8, 1918. Conrad's 'war letter research project' commenced on the day Paul, a member of Conrad's German conversation group, who volunteered as a document translator at the Army Museum of Tasmania, showed Conrad a letter a Tasmanian soldier had taken from a dead German soldier.
Conrad Bentley was retired. He actively participated in many challenging activities. These included a German conversation group, a four-man-crew yachting team, and was second violinist in a string quartet soon to perform the Haydn Emperor Quartet, 2nd movement, "a hymn, with four variations". Conrad was tenacious, a man of dogged determination. His friends were kept abreast of his quest to find the descendants of the fallen soldier who died a century ago. He felt a shadowy presence. "The figure was in military uniform...appeared attentive, proud...the soldier's uniform showed signs of grime and wear...[Conrad] knew who it was...he looked into the eyes of Wolf Deppner...a pleading gaze, mixed with an expression of optimism...". "Too many young men died in the Great War, but it's [Wolf's] story that has fallen into [Conrad's] hands." He intended to give Wolf a voice.
Who was Wolf Deppner? "Wolf was an integral member of his quartet, a [group formed in high school] that appeared to think and act as one." "Apart they looked curiously awkward, but together, they were efficient, and resourceful...[a] sense of togetherness, forged in their hometown of Cleve and made even stronger after nearly four years on the battlefields". "...the warmth of brotherhood and lustre of their once intense friendship began to fade following the loss of Wolf...the three friends functioned with an uncanny mix of aimlessness and duty...the war had washed them into a vast ocean of indifference...".
In the 1870s, Europeans had been enticed and encouraged to move to Tasmania...free passage...in some cases free land. The settlement of Bismarck, Tasmania was a melting pot, a cohesive community of British, German and Danish people. Frank and John were best friends who enjoyed playing for the Southern Football League. Following the declaration of war, suspicion infiltrated the streets and homes of residents of German descent in Bismarck [renamed Collinsvale]. John Bloom, born in Tasmania, was of German descent. He chose to fight for Tasmania alongside Frank.
In "A Soldier's Quartet" by Colin Baldwin, the backstory of Wolfgang Deppner and his quartet in wartime 1918 unfolds. The battles fought by Tasmanian soldiers, Frank and John are noted as well. The reader is introduced to their commanding officers, one on each side of the conflict, who stoically minister to their battalions, then shed unnoticed tears in private.
This beautifully written work of historical fiction allowed the reader to visit the past to meet a quartet of four besties who fought in the trenches in Licy-Clignin, France as well as two recruits from Tasmania who fought on the other side in the Great War. The aura of Wolf was ever present as Colin Bentley pursued every avenue to find and bring closure to Wolf's family in Germany. One particular event was truly overpowering. In present day Heimbach, a find. A painting on a strip of timber, a faded landscape with most flowers painted with blue pigment. "The Wildflowers of Bussiares" painted in 1922...saved from a car boot sale. An inscription under the false backing...an amazing discovery!
The superb writing style of author Baldwin captured the strife and chaos of World War I, the humanity and bonding between soldiers and commanders, as well as the psychological toll of those lucky enough to return home to face the uphill battle of readjustment to civilian life. The breathtaking descriptions of bushwalking, yacht racing as well as Conrad's musicality were enticing. Bravo to Baldwin for a magnificent novel! Highly recommended.
Conrad Bentley was retired. He actively participated in many challenging activities. These included a German conversation group, a four-man-crew yachting team, and was second violinist in a string quartet soon to perform the Haydn Emperor Quartet, 2nd movement, "a hymn, with four variations". Conrad was tenacious, a man of dogged determination. His friends were kept abreast of his quest to find the descendants of the fallen soldier who died a century ago. He felt a shadowy presence. "The figure was in military uniform...appeared attentive, proud...the soldier's uniform showed signs of grime and wear...[Conrad] knew who it was...he looked into the eyes of Wolf Deppner...a pleading gaze, mixed with an expression of optimism...". "Too many young men died in the Great War, but it's [Wolf's] story that has fallen into [Conrad's] hands." He intended to give Wolf a voice.
Who was Wolf Deppner? "Wolf was an integral member of his quartet, a [group formed in high school] that appeared to think and act as one." "Apart they looked curiously awkward, but together, they were efficient, and resourceful...[a] sense of togetherness, forged in their hometown of Cleve and made even stronger after nearly four years on the battlefields". "...the warmth of brotherhood and lustre of their once intense friendship began to fade following the loss of Wolf...the three friends functioned with an uncanny mix of aimlessness and duty...the war had washed them into a vast ocean of indifference...".
In the 1870s, Europeans had been enticed and encouraged to move to Tasmania...free passage...in some cases free land. The settlement of Bismarck, Tasmania was a melting pot, a cohesive community of British, German and Danish people. Frank and John were best friends who enjoyed playing for the Southern Football League. Following the declaration of war, suspicion infiltrated the streets and homes of residents of German descent in Bismarck [renamed Collinsvale]. John Bloom, born in Tasmania, was of German descent. He chose to fight for Tasmania alongside Frank.
In "A Soldier's Quartet" by Colin Baldwin, the backstory of Wolfgang Deppner and his quartet in wartime 1918 unfolds. The battles fought by Tasmanian soldiers, Frank and John are noted as well. The reader is introduced to their commanding officers, one on each side of the conflict, who stoically minister to their battalions, then shed unnoticed tears in private.
This beautifully written work of historical fiction allowed the reader to visit the past to meet a quartet of four besties who fought in the trenches in Licy-Clignin, France as well as two recruits from Tasmania who fought on the other side in the Great War. The aura of Wolf was ever present as Colin Bentley pursued every avenue to find and bring closure to Wolf's family in Germany. One particular event was truly overpowering. In present day Heimbach, a find. A painting on a strip of timber, a faded landscape with most flowers painted with blue pigment. "The Wildflowers of Bussiares" painted in 1922...saved from a car boot sale. An inscription under the false backing...an amazing discovery!
The superb writing style of author Baldwin captured the strife and chaos of World War I, the humanity and bonding between soldiers and commanders, as well as the psychological toll of those lucky enough to return home to face the uphill battle of readjustment to civilian life. The breathtaking descriptions of bushwalking, yacht racing as well as Conrad's musicality were enticing. Bravo to Baldwin for a magnificent novel! Highly recommended.
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July 13, 2022I heard Louis Theroux gave his own latest publication 5 stars on Goodreads. I would love to do the same for mine, oh if only it were permitted! INSERT SMILEY FACE
March 18, 2022
This book is something unique—completely out of the ordinary!—and this in a positive as well as in a negative way.
Don’t pay any attention to my rating; it is, more or less, at random. I really and truly do not know how to honestly and fairly rate this book. I would not be surprised if some readers rated it 5 stars and others 1 star or wouldn’t even want to finish the book.
There were times when I might have dumped the book had I not met and befriended the author on a German language group that turned out a DOA. But then, I was so glad again that I had read on (if, at times, only for being polite).
The book is written in the 3rd person, yet being already familiar with the author’s orbit and hobbies, it took me less than a page to realize that this wasn’t historical fiction but a non-fiction narrative tale with names changed for privacy (as some people mentioned in he book had required). The only fiction was that scenes of the long-ago past, while meticulously researched, were reconstructed in the fantasy of the author to make them more lively.
So first let me tell you what I liked so much about the book: THE STORY IS FASCINATING!
The author, who came with his parents to Tasmania, when he was 9 years old (no, not Tanzania! Tasmania is an island belonging to Australia), has lived there since. He has many demanding hobbies and interests, and he is particularly interested in history. Furthermore, he has been studying German for a hobby. (Anyone who studies German for a hobby must be masochistic or, or at least, a little—let’s say—unusual.)
So when a friend who volunteers at the Army Museum of Tasmania shows the author a letter written by a grieving German father who has lost a son in WWI, our author gets obsessed to find and contact descendants of this letter writer, inform them of the existence of this letter that has landed on the other side of the globe and find out more about the life of this fallen soldier and his relatives who may or may not have survived WWI—or rather, the Great War, as it used to be called before anyone knew that a WWII would follow a few decades later.
A vivid exchange of letters and e-mails follows. And the author even travels to Germany to meet descendants of this letter writer. The story that unfolds reaches over 2 continents and is breathtaking.
Not only that. The author shows a remarkable sense for the psychology that’s behind the behavior of people involved in a war—no matter on which side—soldiers and family left behind alike. (He might have missed his true calling.—I think he would have made a great shrink.) The way he describes the war as experienced from both sides, he also subliminally expresses the stupidity, futility, and madness of not only this war but ANY WAR.
I have read this book while the war in the Ukraine unfolded. Realizing that people have not learned since WWI, which was supposed to be “The War to End All Wars”, and not even since WWII, is devastating. The author had no idea when he wrote his book that it would be so very timely again, only 5 months after his book was published.—However, it is a little comforting in this madness of a new war, which might be the overture to a nuclear WWIII, that there are still some people around who have some sense and compassion left. The author of the above book is one of these people.
So this is what I liked so much about the above book. I almost forgot: I also liked the beautiful book cover and the right-size print, which did not give my astigmatic eyes any trouble.
And now comes the bad part:
I would like to use an analogy: This book can be compared to someone spinning beautiful
wool and, then, not having a clue about how to knit.
Colin Baldwin is a newbie author. I wish he would have attended Creative Writing classes at the Hobart university rather than learning more German. The way he constructed this book, frequently jumping around between different times, countries, scenes, theaters, and families (each of which with numerous family members and names, my 82-year-old brain got so overloaded with that it almost started smoking) as well as with numerous other no-nos for writers, I could see a Creative Writing professor use this book as a text book for How-Not-to-Write, unless he suffered a stroke first getting upset about all these offenses against general rules. And I would also like to quote Ephraim Kishon, who once wrote: “Die Kunst des Schreibens ist die Kunst des Weglassens.” (“The Art of Writing is the Art of Leaving Out.”) I personally also could have done with less bantering between males, in the WWI scenes as well as in the author’s orbit.
I am not saying anything about the author’s general writing style. His English is surely better than mine. Yet I must say that some expressions evaded me. They are obviously “Tassie-English”. :-)
Despite all my severe criticism of this book, I can honestly say that I am very glad that I have read it. It is one of the books that leave you a bit enlightened, or should I say “a somewhat wiser person”.
One last word to the author: Please take a Creative Writing Class and, then, write a book about Tasmania. You are very good in describing scenery. From what you are telling in the above book and also from what I saw on your blog, it is such a beautiful country that I would like to learn more about it. My husband and I are too old to travel to Down Under. So a nice book including some great photographs will have to do. Please let me know when you take pre-orders.
Don’t pay any attention to my rating; it is, more or less, at random. I really and truly do not know how to honestly and fairly rate this book. I would not be surprised if some readers rated it 5 stars and others 1 star or wouldn’t even want to finish the book.
There were times when I might have dumped the book had I not met and befriended the author on a German language group that turned out a DOA. But then, I was so glad again that I had read on (if, at times, only for being polite).
The book is written in the 3rd person, yet being already familiar with the author’s orbit and hobbies, it took me less than a page to realize that this wasn’t historical fiction but a non-fiction narrative tale with names changed for privacy (as some people mentioned in he book had required). The only fiction was that scenes of the long-ago past, while meticulously researched, were reconstructed in the fantasy of the author to make them more lively.
So first let me tell you what I liked so much about the book: THE STORY IS FASCINATING!
The author, who came with his parents to Tasmania, when he was 9 years old (no, not Tanzania! Tasmania is an island belonging to Australia), has lived there since. He has many demanding hobbies and interests, and he is particularly interested in history. Furthermore, he has been studying German for a hobby. (Anyone who studies German for a hobby must be masochistic or, or at least, a little—let’s say—unusual.)
So when a friend who volunteers at the Army Museum of Tasmania shows the author a letter written by a grieving German father who has lost a son in WWI, our author gets obsessed to find and contact descendants of this letter writer, inform them of the existence of this letter that has landed on the other side of the globe and find out more about the life of this fallen soldier and his relatives who may or may not have survived WWI—or rather, the Great War, as it used to be called before anyone knew that a WWII would follow a few decades later.
A vivid exchange of letters and e-mails follows. And the author even travels to Germany to meet descendants of this letter writer. The story that unfolds reaches over 2 continents and is breathtaking.
Not only that. The author shows a remarkable sense for the psychology that’s behind the behavior of people involved in a war—no matter on which side—soldiers and family left behind alike. (He might have missed his true calling.—I think he would have made a great shrink.) The way he describes the war as experienced from both sides, he also subliminally expresses the stupidity, futility, and madness of not only this war but ANY WAR.
I have read this book while the war in the Ukraine unfolded. Realizing that people have not learned since WWI, which was supposed to be “The War to End All Wars”, and not even since WWII, is devastating. The author had no idea when he wrote his book that it would be so very timely again, only 5 months after his book was published.—However, it is a little comforting in this madness of a new war, which might be the overture to a nuclear WWIII, that there are still some people around who have some sense and compassion left. The author of the above book is one of these people.
So this is what I liked so much about the above book. I almost forgot: I also liked the beautiful book cover and the right-size print, which did not give my astigmatic eyes any trouble.
And now comes the bad part:
I would like to use an analogy: This book can be compared to someone spinning beautiful
wool and, then, not having a clue about how to knit.
Colin Baldwin is a newbie author. I wish he would have attended Creative Writing classes at the Hobart university rather than learning more German. The way he constructed this book, frequently jumping around between different times, countries, scenes, theaters, and families (each of which with numerous family members and names, my 82-year-old brain got so overloaded with that it almost started smoking) as well as with numerous other no-nos for writers, I could see a Creative Writing professor use this book as a text book for How-Not-to-Write, unless he suffered a stroke first getting upset about all these offenses against general rules. And I would also like to quote Ephraim Kishon, who once wrote: “Die Kunst des Schreibens ist die Kunst des Weglassens.” (“The Art of Writing is the Art of Leaving Out.”) I personally also could have done with less bantering between males, in the WWI scenes as well as in the author’s orbit.
I am not saying anything about the author’s general writing style. His English is surely better than mine. Yet I must say that some expressions evaded me. They are obviously “Tassie-English”. :-)
Despite all my severe criticism of this book, I can honestly say that I am very glad that I have read it. It is one of the books that leave you a bit enlightened, or should I say “a somewhat wiser person”.
One last word to the author: Please take a Creative Writing Class and, then, write a book about Tasmania. You are very good in describing scenery. From what you are telling in the above book and also from what I saw on your blog, it is such a beautiful country that I would like to learn more about it. My husband and I are too old to travel to Down Under. So a nice book including some great photographs will have to do. Please let me know when you take pre-orders.
May 21, 2023
At the outbreak of WW1 Sir Edward Grey famously said '' the lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time''. That may not have been true, but Colin Baldwin reminds us that it wasn't just in Europe that the darkness descended. A Soldier's Quartet is a fabulous story that presents the First World War from different eras, continents and sides. The storytelling is wonderfully balanced and it gives a voice not only to the survivers, but to the dead. Much more than just a book about war, it's inspiring and moving. Highly recommended .
March 17, 2022
I'm not going to describe what the story's about as many others have already done that. Instead I will tell you what this book meant to me. This story is about connection. As I believe that everyone and everything in and out of this world is connected this book hit home. It also had its synchronicities, coincidences with a purpose, the little gifts that life can hand out and that can make you feel intensely alive.
I loved the fact that it was about German soldiers, which doesn't happen very often. At the rank of soldier there wasn't much difference between all of them. They all had families and loved ones and they all wanted to return to them safely.
Some scenes were described so lively that I felt I was there.
I did miss a photo section, I would have loved that.
Ik ga niet beschrijven waar het verhaal over gaat, aangezien vele anderen dat al hebben gedaan. In plaats daarvan zal ik je vertellen wat dit boek voor mij betekende. Dit verhaal gaat over verbinding. Omdat ik geloof dat alles en iedereen in en buiten deze wereld met elkaar verbonden is, raakte dit boek me. Het had ook zijn synchroniciteiten, toevalligheden met een doel, de kleine cadeautjes die het leven kan uitdelen en die je het gevoel geven dat je intens leeft.
Ik vond het geweldig dat het over Duitse soldaten ging, wat niet vaak gebeurt. In de rang van soldaat was er niet veel verschil tussen hen allemaal. Ze hadden allemaal families en geliefden en ze wilden allemaal veilig naar hen terugkeren.
Sommige scènes werden zo levendig beschreven dat ik het gevoel had erbij te zijn.
Ik miste wel foto's, die had ik als extraatje geweldig gevonden.
I loved the fact that it was about German soldiers, which doesn't happen very often. At the rank of soldier there wasn't much difference between all of them. They all had families and loved ones and they all wanted to return to them safely.
Some scenes were described so lively that I felt I was there.
I did miss a photo section, I would have loved that.
Ik ga niet beschrijven waar het verhaal over gaat, aangezien vele anderen dat al hebben gedaan. In plaats daarvan zal ik je vertellen wat dit boek voor mij betekende. Dit verhaal gaat over verbinding. Omdat ik geloof dat alles en iedereen in en buiten deze wereld met elkaar verbonden is, raakte dit boek me. Het had ook zijn synchroniciteiten, toevalligheden met een doel, de kleine cadeautjes die het leven kan uitdelen en die je het gevoel geven dat je intens leeft.
Ik vond het geweldig dat het over Duitse soldaten ging, wat niet vaak gebeurt. In de rang van soldaat was er niet veel verschil tussen hen allemaal. Ze hadden allemaal families en geliefden en ze wilden allemaal veilig naar hen terugkeren.
Sommige scènes werden zo levendig beschreven dat ik het gevoel had erbij te zijn.
Ik miste wel foto's, die had ik als extraatje geweldig gevonden.
February 28, 2025
Update 2/28/25 I learned that the story below was a true story but the names were changed.
A SOLDIER'S QUARTET is an interesting book for friends of Australia.
During World War I, or the Great War as it was called before World War II, Australia and New Zealand sent troops to aid England in her war against Germany. Considering where Australia is, they have a great affinity for events that happened over 100 years ago and half a world away. In that war Australian troops suffered the highest casualty rate among the Allies, as well as the most unauthorized absence! They, along with the Americans, coined the term 'short arm inspection,' meaning being examined for venereal disease. An Australian machine-gunner on the ground was most likely the man who shot down and killed the German Ace Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron. Anzac Day, a national holiday, was originally created to honor those thousands who had fallen at Gallipoli. They also have an Army Museum of Tasmania housing many relics from WWI. This story centers on a letter that found its way to that museum.
Though a work of fiction, I had to go back and check if this was a true story or not. Writers of historical fiction often fill in the blanks with some literary license when some facts just can't be found. As I was reading there were parts I suspected as such. Other than that, I thought I was reading real history.
In this story, A man comes across an old letter that was taken off a German soldier at the end of WWI and it was kept as a souvenir before being turned in to the Army Museum. This man shows it to a friend who tries to interrupt it. This man becomes obsessed with finding out the who, what, and where of this letter. In the course of doing so, one is exposed to life 'down under' which is the background material for the characters. The author, being an Australian, shares his knowledge of classical music, boating, and hiking nature trails which makes the story more life-like.
I am giving it 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars being an action junkie.
Thanks for the book, Colin!
A SOLDIER'S QUARTET is an interesting book for friends of Australia.
During World War I, or the Great War as it was called before World War II, Australia and New Zealand sent troops to aid England in her war against Germany. Considering where Australia is, they have a great affinity for events that happened over 100 years ago and half a world away. In that war Australian troops suffered the highest casualty rate among the Allies, as well as the most unauthorized absence! They, along with the Americans, coined the term 'short arm inspection,' meaning being examined for venereal disease. An Australian machine-gunner on the ground was most likely the man who shot down and killed the German Ace Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron. Anzac Day, a national holiday, was originally created to honor those thousands who had fallen at Gallipoli. They also have an Army Museum of Tasmania housing many relics from WWI. This story centers on a letter that found its way to that museum.
Though a work of fiction, I had to go back and check if this was a true story or not. Writers of historical fiction often fill in the blanks with some literary license when some facts just can't be found. As I was reading there were parts I suspected as such. Other than that, I thought I was reading real history.
In this story, A man comes across an old letter that was taken off a German soldier at the end of WWI and it was kept as a souvenir before being turned in to the Army Museum. This man shows it to a friend who tries to interrupt it. This man becomes obsessed with finding out the who, what, and where of this letter. In the course of doing so, one is exposed to life 'down under' which is the background material for the characters. The author, being an Australian, shares his knowledge of classical music, boating, and hiking nature trails which makes the story more life-like.
I am giving it 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars being an action junkie.
Thanks for the book, Colin!
May 26, 2022
“Music comes to me more readily than words”
—Ludwig van Beethoven
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen”.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Inspired by true events:
“Once upon a time, there lived a man named Conrad Bentley from Howrah, in Tasmania. One day a friend gave him a letter that was written in 1918. A German father wrote his son, Otto, to let Otto know that one of his brothers had been shot and killed in France. The brother was called Wolf, said with a V, not a W, and, because Mr. Bentley didn’t like to shorten names, he preferred to call him by his full name, Wolfgang”.
Conrad and his wife Greta had lost a son to war. I wondered if the author did….(inspired by true events?)….I’m deeply sorry if he did. It wasn’t clear to me — but I wondered.
What we do know about Conrad is that he looked after grandchildren, joined a bushwalking club, crewed with three others in weekly yacht races, was a member of a German Conversation group, regularly exchanged emails with German pen friends, and for extra enjoyment, attended German lectures at University.
[ these facts sound a little bit like the author😊 from his bio]
Conrad immersed himself wholeheartedly in trying to locate Wolfgang Deppner’s family.
He was determined to learn all he could about Wolfgang’s life (and death), and give him a voice.
His wife tolerated his obsession—[with love] —even if her own desired ‘fix-it’ projects took a back seat.
We learn about the history in Tasmania, their involvement in fighting other people’s wars…..
and get introduced to a group of friends (war buddies fighting for the German army):
Wolfgang, Felix, Bruno, and Erich (known as the quartet) during WWI.
It’s from these four friends where the book title is derived.
The four friends comprised a cornucopia receptacle of sorts……
Bruno was self-assurance. Felix respectful with a loyal temperament. Erich was a deep thinker. Wolfgang a prankster.
Slowly — we learn more about each of these soldiers.
Also, during Conrad’s quest to learn all he could about Wolfgang and the quartet’s history —
he also feels a strong connection with an older war buddy himself ‘basking-in-camaraderie’ with a neighbor across the fence from his yard.
I think it was this relationship—the two generations—that reminded me (again)….that war is war….is war…is war!!!
Always brutal - nobody wins!
Colin Baldwin, a musician with his own string quartet, admirably gave us a book straight from his heart. He has woven a story together between the lives of German soldiers, and Tasmanian characters during The Great War - WWI.
As a reader…I was immersed in the mental, sociological, and psychological aspects of the characters. The humor and humanity shines through the narrative ….as well as the sensitive issues that were contextually framed in suspense to keep our anticipation high.
For me there was some questions I had between the fiction and non-fiction — but this was a small quibble on my part. It must have been a difficult task to portray the perspective of the German soldiers in the past while giving a contemporary present perspective of Tasmania.
Overall ….other than a few ‘debut’ impediments…the most important elements — love, loss, fear, grief, connections, purpose, and the timeless depiction of war …..is a heartfelt intimate impactful story.
I enjoyed it.
—Ludwig van Beethoven
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen”.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Inspired by true events:
“Once upon a time, there lived a man named Conrad Bentley from Howrah, in Tasmania. One day a friend gave him a letter that was written in 1918. A German father wrote his son, Otto, to let Otto know that one of his brothers had been shot and killed in France. The brother was called Wolf, said with a V, not a W, and, because Mr. Bentley didn’t like to shorten names, he preferred to call him by his full name, Wolfgang”.
Conrad and his wife Greta had lost a son to war. I wondered if the author did….(inspired by true events?)….I’m deeply sorry if he did. It wasn’t clear to me — but I wondered.
What we do know about Conrad is that he looked after grandchildren, joined a bushwalking club, crewed with three others in weekly yacht races, was a member of a German Conversation group, regularly exchanged emails with German pen friends, and for extra enjoyment, attended German lectures at University.
[ these facts sound a little bit like the author😊 from his bio]
Conrad immersed himself wholeheartedly in trying to locate Wolfgang Deppner’s family.
He was determined to learn all he could about Wolfgang’s life (and death), and give him a voice.
His wife tolerated his obsession—[with love] —even if her own desired ‘fix-it’ projects took a back seat.
We learn about the history in Tasmania, their involvement in fighting other people’s wars…..
and get introduced to a group of friends (war buddies fighting for the German army):
Wolfgang, Felix, Bruno, and Erich (known as the quartet) during WWI.
It’s from these four friends where the book title is derived.
The four friends comprised a cornucopia receptacle of sorts……
Bruno was self-assurance. Felix respectful with a loyal temperament. Erich was a deep thinker. Wolfgang a prankster.
Slowly — we learn more about each of these soldiers.
Also, during Conrad’s quest to learn all he could about Wolfgang and the quartet’s history —
he also feels a strong connection with an older war buddy himself ‘basking-in-camaraderie’ with a neighbor across the fence from his yard.
I think it was this relationship—the two generations—that reminded me (again)….that war is war….is war…is war!!!
Always brutal - nobody wins!
Colin Baldwin, a musician with his own string quartet, admirably gave us a book straight from his heart. He has woven a story together between the lives of German soldiers, and Tasmanian characters during The Great War - WWI.
As a reader…I was immersed in the mental, sociological, and psychological aspects of the characters. The humor and humanity shines through the narrative ….as well as the sensitive issues that were contextually framed in suspense to keep our anticipation high.
For me there was some questions I had between the fiction and non-fiction — but this was a small quibble on my part. It must have been a difficult task to portray the perspective of the German soldiers in the past while giving a contemporary present perspective of Tasmania.
Overall ….other than a few ‘debut’ impediments…the most important elements — love, loss, fear, grief, connections, purpose, and the timeless depiction of war …..is a heartfelt intimate impactful story.
I enjoyed it.
January 28, 2026
A superb and honest work written with beauty and strength and depth. Totally recommended.
September 16, 2023
First...
Let me say that is an absolute honor for me to be in this position to review this book by my Goodreads friend, Colin. I am so grateful that he has provided this book for my Little Free Library Shed neighborhood.
Second...
As I began to read this adventure, I was certain, that this had to be somewhat autobiographical in nature. There were so many times I wanted to shout out to Colin, and say...
“Colin, is Conrad, really you?”
I am sure I am making him blush in this moment. If that is even possible!
This story, even though the focus’ emphasis is on unraveling the mystery behind ‘A soldier’s quartet’ based on a letter written by a father to a son in the first great war, it is much more than that.
This book is told in present time as well as going back in time, with the author’s imagination taking us back to what could have happened during the soldier’s time at war.
But…
We also learn so much about Conrad and his quest.
And…
The immenseness of Conrad's heart and compassion and his friendships. I love his meandering conversations with his neighbor Wally at the fence. Sometimes even talking away while Wally slips into sleep. How many friends do we have that we can talk through so many issues that we are going through as we navigate such a large life endeavor?
Especially one that involves finding out about a hero soldier, and getting this letter back to a family who did not know of its existence because it was stolen off of a dead body during the war.
And…
How this one letter would lead to so much more for Conrad.
So many opened doors. A fuller life. That he never knew could possibly exist, even though he already had quite the fulfilling retired life.
So, what is a soldier’s quartet?
And…
What will this author create with his music, ah…yes, music…quartet…there is a significant connection with this word and the men lost on that battlefield – and that letter.
This is the beauty of this piece of art – this beautiful story – this adventure to find the German family of Wolf, the center of the letter.
And yes, it will be historical fiction with war scenes.
But…
Mostly it is about Conrad. For me, that is where I took the most pleasure in my reading experience.
And…
Perhaps, more than anything it is about Colin, the author.
Because, I am convinced, it is semi-autobiographical in nature.
And to me…
That makes this author, my hero, too. For all he did to make this journey possible, and then put it into these words.
August 4, 2022
A Soldier's Quartet by Colin Baldwin
Synopsis /
CONRAD BENTLEY ENJOYS HIS RETIREMENT.
By chance, he comes across a letter from WWI — a German father writes about his grief of losing a son to war — buried by his three comrades near a small French village. The letter resonates with Conrad and he commits to researching its backstory.
Months later, Conrad makes contact with the fallen soldier’s family. He falls deeper into their history and other untold stories from this era, including the fate of young Tasmanian soldiers who also fought on the Western Front.
My Thoughts /
Thank heavens for people like Conrad Bentley.
Thank heavens for perseverance; for a desire to complete a moment in history; to bring together past and present; to come full circle.
And thank heavens for Colin Baldwin for taking the plunge and writing A Soldier's Quartet.
Inspired by true events, Baldwin’s debut novel tells the story of retired man, Conrad Bentley.
It’s written in two distinct timelines.
1918. And a German father wrote a grief-stricken letter to his son, Otto. It contained the heartbreaking news that Otto’s brother, Wolf, had been shot and killed in France. Yet another casualty of war.
Tasmania, current day. Conrad Bentley lives in Howrah, Tasmania. Conrad is your regular run of the mill retiree. He enjoys time with his grandchildren; bushwalking; yachting; is an active member of a German conversation group, and regularly exchanges emails with German pen friends; and, a couple of nights each week attends rehearsals for an amateur string quartet.
Once upon a time, there lived a man called Conrad Bentley from Howrah, in Tasmania. One day, a friend gave him a letter that was written in 1918. A German father wrote to his son, Otto, to let Otto know that one of his brothers had been shot and killed in France. The brother was called Wolf………and, because Mr Bentley didn't like to shorten names, he preferred to call him by his full name, Wolfgang.
Conrad Bentley is enjoying his retirement when he discovers a letter written by a father to his son. The letter details the father’s grief at losing his son during WWI. Reading the letter ignited Bentley’s curiosity to learn more about its author and more importantly, how the letter, written by a German father, came to be in found in Tasmania. Over the next couple of hundred pages, you will be treated to the story of how Conrad searches for Wolfgang’s family; and how the letter is reunited with its rightful owner. It’s a beautiful story, one that not only crosses oceans, but crosses generations both past and present.
If you enjoy reading historical fiction, you will love this novel. Yes, it has a WWI theme but, it also has an underlying theme of humanity. The author’s thoughts on life and loss set the story apart from others in this trope. In this story, Conrad Bentley envisions a future where a connection between generations and cultures not only exists but thrives.
Both plot and characters seem well researched and developed, with each chapter keeping the story moving along nicely.
The result is a wonderful piece of debut fiction that will resonate with a wide variety of readers.
Synopsis /
CONRAD BENTLEY ENJOYS HIS RETIREMENT.
By chance, he comes across a letter from WWI — a German father writes about his grief of losing a son to war — buried by his three comrades near a small French village. The letter resonates with Conrad and he commits to researching its backstory.
Months later, Conrad makes contact with the fallen soldier’s family. He falls deeper into their history and other untold stories from this era, including the fate of young Tasmanian soldiers who also fought on the Western Front.
My Thoughts /
Thank heavens for people like Conrad Bentley.
Thank heavens for perseverance; for a desire to complete a moment in history; to bring together past and present; to come full circle.
And thank heavens for Colin Baldwin for taking the plunge and writing A Soldier's Quartet.
Inspired by true events, Baldwin’s debut novel tells the story of retired man, Conrad Bentley.
It’s written in two distinct timelines.
1918. And a German father wrote a grief-stricken letter to his son, Otto. It contained the heartbreaking news that Otto’s brother, Wolf, had been shot and killed in France. Yet another casualty of war.
Tasmania, current day. Conrad Bentley lives in Howrah, Tasmania. Conrad is your regular run of the mill retiree. He enjoys time with his grandchildren; bushwalking; yachting; is an active member of a German conversation group, and regularly exchanges emails with German pen friends; and, a couple of nights each week attends rehearsals for an amateur string quartet.
Once upon a time, there lived a man called Conrad Bentley from Howrah, in Tasmania. One day, a friend gave him a letter that was written in 1918. A German father wrote to his son, Otto, to let Otto know that one of his brothers had been shot and killed in France. The brother was called Wolf………and, because Mr Bentley didn't like to shorten names, he preferred to call him by his full name, Wolfgang.
Conrad Bentley is enjoying his retirement when he discovers a letter written by a father to his son. The letter details the father’s grief at losing his son during WWI. Reading the letter ignited Bentley’s curiosity to learn more about its author and more importantly, how the letter, written by a German father, came to be in found in Tasmania. Over the next couple of hundred pages, you will be treated to the story of how Conrad searches for Wolfgang’s family; and how the letter is reunited with its rightful owner. It’s a beautiful story, one that not only crosses oceans, but crosses generations both past and present.
If you enjoy reading historical fiction, you will love this novel. Yes, it has a WWI theme but, it also has an underlying theme of humanity. The author’s thoughts on life and loss set the story apart from others in this trope. In this story, Conrad Bentley envisions a future where a connection between generations and cultures not only exists but thrives.
Both plot and characters seem well researched and developed, with each chapter keeping the story moving along nicely.
The result is a wonderful piece of debut fiction that will resonate with a wide variety of readers.
April 2, 2022
This was an interesting journey, focussed mostly between the First World War in Europe and Tasmania and the present (well 2018, close enough).
Conrad is retired, busy bushwalking, sailing as a member of Cpt Baz's crew of four boat and playing violin in a string quartet. So quartets everywhere. The title refers to four young German men who are friends and go off to war together, fighting for their German country. Tasmania is also home to a German enclave in what was once called Bismark, but renamed during the war, when many Tasmanians of German descent were locked away on Bruny Island. This is a part of Aussie history I never knew, having recently read Devotion by Hannah Kent which follows a group of Germans from religious persecution to a harrowing sea journey to South Australia in the 1840's, I wonder if the residents of Handorf were also locked away in internment camps.
I am also over war novels, which I once read avidly (just never the battle scenes, just the historical perspective). I could not engage with the narrative of our soldiers in the Great War, not the writer's fault.
This was an engaging read, but I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, including Conrad to become more involved in the story, which read more like a journal of discovery following a found letter from a father to his son in 1918.
This was an interesting if not totally engaging read. Thanks Colin for the journey. 3.5 stars.
Conrad is retired, busy bushwalking, sailing as a member of Cpt Baz's crew of four boat and playing violin in a string quartet. So quartets everywhere. The title refers to four young German men who are friends and go off to war together, fighting for their German country. Tasmania is also home to a German enclave in what was once called Bismark, but renamed during the war, when many Tasmanians of German descent were locked away on Bruny Island. This is a part of Aussie history I never knew, having recently read Devotion by Hannah Kent which follows a group of Germans from religious persecution to a harrowing sea journey to South Australia in the 1840's, I wonder if the residents of Handorf were also locked away in internment camps.
I am also over war novels, which I once read avidly (just never the battle scenes, just the historical perspective). I could not engage with the narrative of our soldiers in the Great War, not the writer's fault.
This was an engaging read, but I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, including Conrad to become more involved in the story, which read more like a journal of discovery following a found letter from a father to his son in 1918.
This was an interesting if not totally engaging read. Thanks Colin for the journey. 3.5 stars.
March 5, 2022
Added: possible spoiler
A good book doesn't need extravaganza twists, elaborate imaginations, dragons, or bombastic characters.
I read Soldier's Quartet without knowing what to expect. This is not my usual genre, but I also don't shy away from it, many of my top-rated movies belong to the same genre.
I didn't expect to be moved by it, a classic simple story told in a beautiful and engaging way, but I found myself captured and eagerly flipping pages.
The storytelling. Colin presents the story from different eras and sides. They will connect to one another in smooth ways that never feel forced. I remember it's been a while since I read books with similar styles. It works well when an author manages to pull it, and this book is a great example. We are looking at the present-day of a man who tries to find the background story of a mysterious letter that moves him and flashbacks to the reality behind the letter told from different narratives. It could be risky, as we readers are given the revelation of the whole story. But again, the strength of this book is not about the mystery, but the deeper meaning of simple things that are often overlooked in wars, although they are actually the most important factors.
Personally, there is no other more suitable time than now to read this book. (Review written in early March 2022). Devastated by the news about Ukraine, I found myself thinking about why we never really learn anything from history, and the situation out there is the perfect example. Those who declare wars are hardly on the front line, especially in modern times. They are not the ones who suffer, but those 'little,' 'insignificant' lives that only registered as numbers for those playing the game of war. Whenever I see little victories from the defensive side, or to put it bluntly, the side I'm rooting for; I can't help to think about the loss of the souls from the enemy side too. Did they really want to be there? Did they believe in something that is merely propaganda, or were they simply tossed into it? A loss is a loss. There are families and loved ones. There are fears and tears, broken hopes, robbed futures. I always think there are no winners in wars. What do winners celebrate among broken ruins and dead bodies?
A Soldier's Quartet highlights that, revolves around the broken-hearted father who lost his son in the war. It covers everything without leaving anything behind; the pride and patriotism, the crisp idealistic idea of war to the loss of the meaning that one is not even sure what are they fighting about and who the actual enemy and the bad guys are, the lost and devastation of the ones left behind, and the prolonged scar that changes a human forever.
They are all written beautifully, some of the powerful scenes that leave lasting impressions to me: the first time I was shown about the quartet's ceremony of Wolfgang, early in the book and the meeting of Frank and Otto. Imo, these are powerful examples of 'show, not tell.' The quartet ceremony came so early that I was caught off guard, but as I read on, it was well placed, and I went on to understand what the book is trying to convey, just like what I mentioned in the beginning, this is a simple story that is made so special by the way it is written, it's never meant to be a historical mystery or anything else.
There is a scene in one of my top-rated war movies, Saving Private Ryan, that illustrates the similarity to Frank and Otto's meeting. Spoiler for the movie too (I watch this more than two decades ago, but this scene is still fresh in my mind); this group of soldiers is relaxing, joking and talking about their lives back home during the calm time, when something causes the wall of ruins around them to crumble and reveals a group of enemies behind it, who happens to do the same thing, taking a break from war. Everyone raises their weapons and is frightened, shouting, scared for their lives, but no one pulls the trigger because they are just similar ordinary people who end up in the war on different sides and long to go back to their 'actual' lives.
Besides many characters and different narratives, the author provides helpful navigation especially at the beginning of the book when readers are still unfamiliar with the characters and storyline. One of the great examples is the one carefully written as conversations between the main character and his very good-looking neighbor :) in playful banters, a nice bookend in the beginning and end between these two characters. It also throws in snippets of another war that we have known too well, a powerful message of the continuous horror of that era (or forever?).
The time stamps and the breaks between chapters and the arrangement of the chapters are positioned strategically; we have the privilege to know what the characters of the book don't, but not in the way that it spoils the essence of the story.
Overall, I find this book really well written and touching, it gives me insight into a lot of things that I don't know, including the beautiful settings, cultures, music. Many times I felt I was walking among them, hearing and quietly observing everything. The title is also really fitting in multiple ways.
You know what is still great in life? Picking up a book and loving it.
A good book doesn't need extravaganza twists, elaborate imaginations, dragons, or bombastic characters.
I read Soldier's Quartet without knowing what to expect. This is not my usual genre, but I also don't shy away from it, many of my top-rated movies belong to the same genre.
I didn't expect to be moved by it, a classic simple story told in a beautiful and engaging way, but I found myself captured and eagerly flipping pages.
The storytelling. Colin presents the story from different eras and sides. They will connect to one another in smooth ways that never feel forced. I remember it's been a while since I read books with similar styles. It works well when an author manages to pull it, and this book is a great example. We are looking at the present-day of a man who tries to find the background story of a mysterious letter that moves him and flashbacks to the reality behind the letter told from different narratives. It could be risky, as we readers are given the revelation of the whole story. But again, the strength of this book is not about the mystery, but the deeper meaning of simple things that are often overlooked in wars, although they are actually the most important factors.
Personally, there is no other more suitable time than now to read this book. (Review written in early March 2022). Devastated by the news about Ukraine, I found myself thinking about why we never really learn anything from history, and the situation out there is the perfect example. Those who declare wars are hardly on the front line, especially in modern times. They are not the ones who suffer, but those 'little,' 'insignificant' lives that only registered as numbers for those playing the game of war. Whenever I see little victories from the defensive side, or to put it bluntly, the side I'm rooting for; I can't help to think about the loss of the souls from the enemy side too. Did they really want to be there? Did they believe in something that is merely propaganda, or were they simply tossed into it? A loss is a loss. There are families and loved ones. There are fears and tears, broken hopes, robbed futures. I always think there are no winners in wars. What do winners celebrate among broken ruins and dead bodies?
A Soldier's Quartet highlights that, revolves around the broken-hearted father who lost his son in the war. It covers everything without leaving anything behind; the pride and patriotism, the crisp idealistic idea of war to the loss of the meaning that one is not even sure what are they fighting about and who the actual enemy and the bad guys are, the lost and devastation of the ones left behind, and the prolonged scar that changes a human forever.
They are all written beautifully, some of the powerful scenes that leave lasting impressions to me: the first time I was shown about the quartet's ceremony of Wolfgang, early in the book and the meeting of Frank and Otto. Imo, these are powerful examples of 'show, not tell.' The quartet ceremony came so early that I was caught off guard, but as I read on, it was well placed, and I went on to understand what the book is trying to convey, just like what I mentioned in the beginning, this is a simple story that is made so special by the way it is written, it's never meant to be a historical mystery or anything else.
There is a scene in one of my top-rated war movies, Saving Private Ryan, that illustrates the similarity to Frank and Otto's meeting. Spoiler for the movie too (I watch this more than two decades ago, but this scene is still fresh in my mind); this group of soldiers is relaxing, joking and talking about their lives back home during the calm time, when something causes the wall of ruins around them to crumble and reveals a group of enemies behind it, who happens to do the same thing, taking a break from war. Everyone raises their weapons and is frightened, shouting, scared for their lives, but no one pulls the trigger because they are just similar ordinary people who end up in the war on different sides and long to go back to their 'actual' lives.
Besides many characters and different narratives, the author provides helpful navigation especially at the beginning of the book when readers are still unfamiliar with the characters and storyline. One of the great examples is the one carefully written as conversations between the main character and his very good-looking neighbor :) in playful banters, a nice bookend in the beginning and end between these two characters. It also throws in snippets of another war that we have known too well, a powerful message of the continuous horror of that era (or forever?).
The time stamps and the breaks between chapters and the arrangement of the chapters are positioned strategically; we have the privilege to know what the characters of the book don't, but not in the way that it spoils the essence of the story.
Overall, I find this book really well written and touching, it gives me insight into a lot of things that I don't know, including the beautiful settings, cultures, music. Many times I felt I was walking among them, hearing and quietly observing everything. The title is also really fitting in multiple ways.
You know what is still great in life? Picking up a book and loving it.
April 26, 2024
Warum ist "A Soldier's Quartet" für mich ein Lesehighlight?
Aus ganz persönlichen Gründen und weil es ein guter, mit viel Wärme, Humor und Herzblut geschriebener Roman - mit autobiografischem Hintergrund - ist.
Nach vielen Jahren habe ich für dieses Buch meine Komfortzone verlassen und wieder ein Werk auf Englisch gelesen.
Es war packend, wie sich die Recherche bezüglich des "Schicksalsbriefes", der den Protagonisten eine Reise in die Vergangenheit zum 1. Weltkrieg, nach Frankreich, Deutschland, in Archive u.v.m. unternehmen ließ, zu erleben.
Die Naturbeschreibungen veranlassten mich, viele der Schauplätze nachzuschlagen, genauso wie das Buch mich anregte, mich nochmal in die historischen Hintergründe zu vertiefen.
So wurde es ein intensives Leseerlebnis, bei dem der Autor jede Nachfrage voller Geduld beantwortete, wofür ich mich an dieser Stelle nochmals herzlich bedanke!!
Sein Wunsch, den am Krieg leidenden Soldaten am Beispiel der Figuren, die gefallen oder mit psychischen und körperlichen Leiden dieser Hölle entkommen sind, eine Stimme zu geben,
ist gelungen.
Sprachlich schlicht und gut lesbar, mit teilweise wunderbaren Bildern/Beschreibungen, hat mich das Buch nicht nur gut unterhalten, sondern auch bewegt.
Immer wieder fließen in ASQ Mahnungen vor Unrecht (auch am Beispiel der Internierungslager in Tasmanien für Deutschstämmige im WW1) und Kriegen ein.
So ist das Buch über Freundschaft, Liebe, Leiden in WW1 (leider) hochaktuell.
ENGLISCHE VERSION
Why was "A Soldier's Quartet" a reading highlight for me?
For very personal reasons and because it is a good novel written with a lot of warmth, humour, heart and soul - with an autobiographical background.
After many years, and for this book, I left my comfort zone to read a work in English again.
It was gripping to learn about the research into the "letter of fate" which took the protagonist on a journey into the past to the First World War, France, Germany, archives and much more.
The descriptions of nature prompted me to look up many of the locations, just as the book encouraged me to delve deeper into the historical background.
It was an intense reading experience in which the author patiently answered all my questions me for which I would like to take this opportunity to thank him once again!
His desire to give a voice to the soldiers suffering from the war, using the example of the characters, who fell or escaped this hell with psychological and physical suffering, has succeeded.
The language is simple and easy to read, with some wonderful pictures/descriptions, and the book not only entertained but also moved me.
Time and again ASQ includes reminders of injustice (including the internment camps in Tasmania for ethnic Germans in WW1) and wars.
The book about friendship, love and suffering in WW1 is (unfortunately) highly topical.
Aus ganz persönlichen Gründen und weil es ein guter, mit viel Wärme, Humor und Herzblut geschriebener Roman - mit autobiografischem Hintergrund - ist.
Nach vielen Jahren habe ich für dieses Buch meine Komfortzone verlassen und wieder ein Werk auf Englisch gelesen.
Es war packend, wie sich die Recherche bezüglich des "Schicksalsbriefes", der den Protagonisten eine Reise in die Vergangenheit zum 1. Weltkrieg, nach Frankreich, Deutschland, in Archive u.v.m. unternehmen ließ, zu erleben.
Die Naturbeschreibungen veranlassten mich, viele der Schauplätze nachzuschlagen, genauso wie das Buch mich anregte, mich nochmal in die historischen Hintergründe zu vertiefen.
So wurde es ein intensives Leseerlebnis, bei dem der Autor jede Nachfrage voller Geduld beantwortete, wofür ich mich an dieser Stelle nochmals herzlich bedanke!!
Sein Wunsch, den am Krieg leidenden Soldaten am Beispiel der Figuren, die gefallen oder mit psychischen und körperlichen Leiden dieser Hölle entkommen sind, eine Stimme zu geben,
ist gelungen.
Sprachlich schlicht und gut lesbar, mit teilweise wunderbaren Bildern/Beschreibungen, hat mich das Buch nicht nur gut unterhalten, sondern auch bewegt.
Immer wieder fließen in ASQ Mahnungen vor Unrecht (auch am Beispiel der Internierungslager in Tasmanien für Deutschstämmige im WW1) und Kriegen ein.
So ist das Buch über Freundschaft, Liebe, Leiden in WW1 (leider) hochaktuell.
ENGLISCHE VERSION
Why was "A Soldier's Quartet" a reading highlight for me?
For very personal reasons and because it is a good novel written with a lot of warmth, humour, heart and soul - with an autobiographical background.
After many years, and for this book, I left my comfort zone to read a work in English again.
It was gripping to learn about the research into the "letter of fate" which took the protagonist on a journey into the past to the First World War, France, Germany, archives and much more.
The descriptions of nature prompted me to look up many of the locations, just as the book encouraged me to delve deeper into the historical background.
It was an intense reading experience in which the author patiently answered all my questions me for which I would like to take this opportunity to thank him once again!
His desire to give a voice to the soldiers suffering from the war, using the example of the characters, who fell or escaped this hell with psychological and physical suffering, has succeeded.
The language is simple and easy to read, with some wonderful pictures/descriptions, and the book not only entertained but also moved me.
Time and again ASQ includes reminders of injustice (including the internment camps in Tasmania for ethnic Germans in WW1) and wars.
The book about friendship, love and suffering in WW1 is (unfortunately) highly topical.
October 26, 2023
This is a poetic and beautifully written book.
The prose is so satisfying to read - descriptive, sensitive and wonderfully crafted.
“A Soldier's Quartet” is a multi-layered novel that had me captivated from the beginning. More so for those who have an interest in the history of WWI.
The story is built around the discovery of a letter and the mystery of the loss of a young German soldier that expands to two time periods that opens up Australian and German perspective during the Great War.
The contemporary characters are joined by the protagonist Conrad, who seeks to learn more about the letter.
Conrad’s passion and desire to uncover the letter’s meaning is part of a clever plot line that demonstrates the strength of this novel.
The plot has descriptive passages that unpack the context and personal stories of soldiers and their families from Germany and the Australian Tasmanian troops who were sent to fight.
I found the Tasmanian background so interesting because of the unique history of this special part of Australia.
Colin Baldwin gives voice to the people in the story based on historical research and clever storytelling.
The book kept me interested throughout as the multiple threads of the story coalesced.
This is excellent historical fiction.
Well worth reading.
The prose is so satisfying to read - descriptive, sensitive and wonderfully crafted.
“A Soldier's Quartet” is a multi-layered novel that had me captivated from the beginning. More so for those who have an interest in the history of WWI.
The story is built around the discovery of a letter and the mystery of the loss of a young German soldier that expands to two time periods that opens up Australian and German perspective during the Great War.
The contemporary characters are joined by the protagonist Conrad, who seeks to learn more about the letter.
Conrad’s passion and desire to uncover the letter’s meaning is part of a clever plot line that demonstrates the strength of this novel.
The plot has descriptive passages that unpack the context and personal stories of soldiers and their families from Germany and the Australian Tasmanian troops who were sent to fight.
I found the Tasmanian background so interesting because of the unique history of this special part of Australia.
Colin Baldwin gives voice to the people in the story based on historical research and clever storytelling.
The book kept me interested throughout as the multiple threads of the story coalesced.
This is excellent historical fiction.
Well worth reading.
August 27, 2024
A Soldier’s Way Home
What drew me to A SOLDIER’s QUARTET was the fact that it was based on true circumstances and I have a soft spot for the stories of soldiers. I was also both impressed and charmed by the author who took time out from his lively and wonderful “retirement” to research and tell the story of a fallen soldier in a letter from a grieving father.
The letter having been a souvenir of “the Great War” having fallen into the hands of Conrad Bentley (sounds suspiciously like Colin Baldwin) for him to obsess over until the mystery was solved, and write an interesting and worthy story that could be carried back to the soldier’s family.
The writing is beautifully done to the point of being absolutely poetic, and it’s impossible not to be touched by Baldwin’s work. I appreciated his desire to give these lost soldiers a voice, but I confess that I had a difficult time finishing the book. It pops from place to place and time period to time period, and not that it’s poorly done or anything, but I am not a fan of that style writing a story. The story was good and the writing was excellent and I couldn’t give it less than four stars no matter how long it took me to finish.
What drew me to A SOLDIER’s QUARTET was the fact that it was based on true circumstances and I have a soft spot for the stories of soldiers. I was also both impressed and charmed by the author who took time out from his lively and wonderful “retirement” to research and tell the story of a fallen soldier in a letter from a grieving father.
The letter having been a souvenir of “the Great War” having fallen into the hands of Conrad Bentley (sounds suspiciously like Colin Baldwin) for him to obsess over until the mystery was solved, and write an interesting and worthy story that could be carried back to the soldier’s family.
The writing is beautifully done to the point of being absolutely poetic, and it’s impossible not to be touched by Baldwin’s work. I appreciated his desire to give these lost soldiers a voice, but I confess that I had a difficult time finishing the book. It pops from place to place and time period to time period, and not that it’s poorly done or anything, but I am not a fan of that style writing a story. The story was good and the writing was excellent and I couldn’t give it less than four stars no matter how long it took me to finish.
March 21, 2022
“The casualties suffered by the participants in World War I dwarfed those of previous wars: some 8,500,000 soldiers died as a result of wounds and/or disease.”
Encyclopedia Britannica
8,500,000 soldiers lost in war; that statistic represents the devastation of a generation, mostly young men in the prime of life and boys just out of school. The tragedy grows exponentially when one thinks of the families who lost sons, grandsons, husbands, brothers and fathers.
The survivors, WWI veterans like my maternal grandfather, were middle-aged when I was born. Now, they are all gone, but they live on in our collective memory in mementos and artefacts, public monuments, statues, national days of remembrance, museums and cemeteries containing the graves of the known and unknown dead. There are also the personal memories of those who knew the veterans and letters, photographs, diaries, medals and uniforms passed on from generation to generation as family heirlooms.
In “Soldier’s Quartet” Tasmanian Conrad Bentley enjoys a pleasant retirement with his wife, Gretel, his children and grandchildren. Conrad is quite active; he hikes, crews on a yacht, plays second violin in a string quartet and studies German with the aid of a conversation group. One of Conrad’s group friends presents him with a challenge in the form of a German father’s moving letter about the loss of a son in WWI. Three of the soldier’s hometown friends, the other members of the “Soldier’s Quartet”, were with him at his death and his burial:
“Our sadness is somewhat lessened to know Wolf’s dear friends, Wittmann, Klug and Wiese, were by his side when he was welcomed into heaven and then helped bury him the next day near Licy-Clignon.”
Intrigued by the letter, Conrad undertakes a quest to discover the soldier’s identity and make contact with his family.
Colin Baldwin skillfully interweaves stories-within-stories from different times and places; narratives converge like the voices of a fugue coming together to form a harmonious whole. The “fugue” is played by the members of multiple “quartets” including the four German soldiers and four of the fallen soldier’s 21st century relatives, Conrad’s Tasmanian string quartet and yacht crew, Conrad and Gretel’s friendship with neighbors Wally and Patricia, and two enlisted WWI Tasmanian brothers-in-law, one of German descent, and their wives.
The several “quartets” reminded me of a famous quote from the 18th century British statesman and philosopher, Edmund Burke:
“To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ, as it were) of public affections. It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love to our country and to mankind.”
The novel’s quartets, like Burke’s “little platoons”, reveal our common humanity that transcends the borders of time and space. We must preserve these vital associations, and, if necessary, fight to defend them. Tragically, war shatters many of the “little platoons” beyond repair.
We live in troubled times, witnessing a resurgence of the xenophobia, racism, hyper-nationalism, revanchism and imperialism that resulted in two world wars. We must search for those essential things that unite us rather than divide. The optimistic central theme of Baldwin’s novel emerges from the text by reference to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony:
“He thought Beethoven’s music matched the mood of togetherness, of joy, maybe even of peace, not only on the sundeck but also spreading across the bay. His smile widened as Schiller’s words about unity and triumph against war came to life—All men shall become brothers.”
Encyclopedia Britannica
8,500,000 soldiers lost in war; that statistic represents the devastation of a generation, mostly young men in the prime of life and boys just out of school. The tragedy grows exponentially when one thinks of the families who lost sons, grandsons, husbands, brothers and fathers.
The survivors, WWI veterans like my maternal grandfather, were middle-aged when I was born. Now, they are all gone, but they live on in our collective memory in mementos and artefacts, public monuments, statues, national days of remembrance, museums and cemeteries containing the graves of the known and unknown dead. There are also the personal memories of those who knew the veterans and letters, photographs, diaries, medals and uniforms passed on from generation to generation as family heirlooms.
In “Soldier’s Quartet” Tasmanian Conrad Bentley enjoys a pleasant retirement with his wife, Gretel, his children and grandchildren. Conrad is quite active; he hikes, crews on a yacht, plays second violin in a string quartet and studies German with the aid of a conversation group. One of Conrad’s group friends presents him with a challenge in the form of a German father’s moving letter about the loss of a son in WWI. Three of the soldier’s hometown friends, the other members of the “Soldier’s Quartet”, were with him at his death and his burial:
“Our sadness is somewhat lessened to know Wolf’s dear friends, Wittmann, Klug and Wiese, were by his side when he was welcomed into heaven and then helped bury him the next day near Licy-Clignon.”
Intrigued by the letter, Conrad undertakes a quest to discover the soldier’s identity and make contact with his family.
Colin Baldwin skillfully interweaves stories-within-stories from different times and places; narratives converge like the voices of a fugue coming together to form a harmonious whole. The “fugue” is played by the members of multiple “quartets” including the four German soldiers and four of the fallen soldier’s 21st century relatives, Conrad’s Tasmanian string quartet and yacht crew, Conrad and Gretel’s friendship with neighbors Wally and Patricia, and two enlisted WWI Tasmanian brothers-in-law, one of German descent, and their wives.
The several “quartets” reminded me of a famous quote from the 18th century British statesman and philosopher, Edmund Burke:
“To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ, as it were) of public affections. It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love to our country and to mankind.”
The novel’s quartets, like Burke’s “little platoons”, reveal our common humanity that transcends the borders of time and space. We must preserve these vital associations, and, if necessary, fight to defend them. Tragically, war shatters many of the “little platoons” beyond repair.
We live in troubled times, witnessing a resurgence of the xenophobia, racism, hyper-nationalism, revanchism and imperialism that resulted in two world wars. We must search for those essential things that unite us rather than divide. The optimistic central theme of Baldwin’s novel emerges from the text by reference to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony:
“He thought Beethoven’s music matched the mood of togetherness, of joy, maybe even of peace, not only on the sundeck but also spreading across the bay. His smile widened as Schiller’s words about unity and triumph against war came to life—All men shall become brothers.”
June 25, 2022
(3.5) How about an epistolary review?
Dear Goodreads,
So, this good ol' bloke messages me on Goodreads and introduces himself a couple months back because we share a lot of friends in common. We start conversing and I share stories about Australia (me visiting with my wife and he living in Tassie) since I noticed that is where he was from and then I notice that he's a writer. To make a long story short, I received this book from the author and I'm going to give him an honest review.
Colin. Good job, my friend. Although I've never met you in person, I can totally see you as Conrad with his personality and all. You took three separate stories in three different decades and made them coalesce into something readable and interesting.
The dialogue was a little too lighthearted and uplifting at times for such a sad time in history and I generally am not a fan of cheerful endings, but it went along with the rest of the overall theme, so it made sense.
I did learn something though, so I appreciate that. German internment camps in Tasmania during WWI? That was a new one for me.
All in all, not a bad first novel for Colin and I'm sure he's got another novel up his sleeve. I'm sure Wolf would want that!
Best Regards,
Josh
Dear Goodreads,
So, this good ol' bloke messages me on Goodreads and introduces himself a couple months back because we share a lot of friends in common. We start conversing and I share stories about Australia (me visiting with my wife and he living in Tassie) since I noticed that is where he was from and then I notice that he's a writer. To make a long story short, I received this book from the author and I'm going to give him an honest review.
Colin. Good job, my friend. Although I've never met you in person, I can totally see you as Conrad with his personality and all. You took three separate stories in three different decades and made them coalesce into something readable and interesting.
The dialogue was a little too lighthearted and uplifting at times for such a sad time in history and I generally am not a fan of cheerful endings, but it went along with the rest of the overall theme, so it made sense.
I did learn something though, so I appreciate that. German internment camps in Tasmania during WWI? That was a new one for me.
All in all, not a bad first novel for Colin and I'm sure he's got another novel up his sleeve. I'm sure Wolf would want that!
Best Regards,
Josh
November 13, 2022
It’s been a while since I read this book, but I’m finally catching up on my reviews, and this one is certainly at the top of the list!
I don’t often give five star ratings to books anymore, but this novel was truly exceptional. The author’s development and original storyline were both wonderful, and did not disappoint at all. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Supporting new authors is a big deal, and Colin Baldwin is a truly inspiring, incredible author that deserves at much fame and praise for this novel as anyone.
Recommend this book to those that love stories of war, military, history, or even to those that just love a good book! Loved this one! 👍
I don’t often give five star ratings to books anymore, but this novel was truly exceptional. The author’s development and original storyline were both wonderful, and did not disappoint at all. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Supporting new authors is a big deal, and Colin Baldwin is a truly inspiring, incredible author that deserves at much fame and praise for this novel as anyone.
Recommend this book to those that love stories of war, military, history, or even to those that just love a good book! Loved this one! 👍
July 13, 2025
Great book with wonderful prose telling an important story.
May 2, 2024
I loved this book. I am quite tardy in writing my review but am trying to get caught up with my reviews. I moved house while reading this book so it was my companion through all of that upheaval. How nice to have a friendly book to read as I got into bed each night!
Some books I read and they are pleasant and interesting enough and other books I read and they stay with me. This is a book that has stayed with me.
This is a story that goes back and forth from present day to the WWI era. That can be a tough undertaking for an author but Colin Baldwin carries it off. Even though there are many names and places in each story line... I didn't feel confused. I loved the history presented in this novel and also the human interest. At the end of the day... we are all just people doing our best to love and provide for our families.
I highly recommend.
And Thank you Colin for becoming my new friend on GR.
Some books I read and they are pleasant and interesting enough and other books I read and they stay with me. This is a book that has stayed with me.
This is a story that goes back and forth from present day to the WWI era. That can be a tough undertaking for an author but Colin Baldwin carries it off. Even though there are many names and places in each story line... I didn't feel confused. I loved the history presented in this novel and also the human interest. At the end of the day... we are all just people doing our best to love and provide for our families.
I highly recommend.
And Thank you Colin for becoming my new friend on GR.
September 3, 2023
Colin Baldwin’s A Soldier’s Quartet, tugged on my heartstrings. It’s clear the story is a thinly-veiled memoir, and the personal connection the author has with the source material comes through in the writing.
With war, particularly a war in the distant past, it’s easy to focus on the why’s, when’s and where’s; the mechanics and the politics. It’s every bit as easy to fail to fully appreciate the human impacts that often fall far from the battlefields.
In this story, Baldwin gives context to an old photograph and a human face to the subject of a father’s grieving letter about his lost son. This novel oozes empathy; something which always seems in short supply.
With war, particularly a war in the distant past, it’s easy to focus on the why’s, when’s and where’s; the mechanics and the politics. It’s every bit as easy to fail to fully appreciate the human impacts that often fall far from the battlefields.
In this story, Baldwin gives context to an old photograph and a human face to the subject of a father’s grieving letter about his lost son. This novel oozes empathy; something which always seems in short supply.
August 28, 2022
A very moving story based on true events. Told in two time-lines, current and 1918. A letter comes to light in Tasmania from a German father to his remaining children and the search for the family begins. Four friends go to war, fighting against the French, their colleagues calling them 'The Quartet' due to their closeness. A lot of history and a mystery.
This is a beautifully written story, with sharply drawn comparisons between the horrors experienced by the soldiers and wildflowers in a field and dust motes in a cellar. The birth of a child and the death of its father. The beauty of the Tasmanian outback and the camaraderie of a group of people. The setbacks in finding someone after many years and the successes in giving someone a voice. A really good story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to LoveReading for a free copy in exchange for a review.
This is a beautifully written story, with sharply drawn comparisons between the horrors experienced by the soldiers and wildflowers in a field and dust motes in a cellar. The birth of a child and the death of its father. The beauty of the Tasmanian outback and the camaraderie of a group of people. The setbacks in finding someone after many years and the successes in giving someone a voice. A really good story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to LoveReading for a free copy in exchange for a review.
June 21, 2024
Kindle
What a wonderful book with which to end my reading days! The author, Colin Baldwin, reached out to me when I first joined Goodreads and introduced himself to me and welcomed me to this community of readers. Colin and the main character, Conrad Bentley, share many of the same interests, but Colin can also write a mesmerizing story about friendships that stand the tests of war, both physical and psychological.
I enjoyed watching the friendship of Conrad and his next-door neighbor Wally as it developed through the course of the story, I was reminded of Robert Frost's poem that includes "Good fences make good neighbors." I DO think thy they need a gate!
This was an interesting look at the First World War from the perspectives of two sets of young men who wear two very different uniforms, German and ANZAC. The war affects their lives and those they love, not only during the hostility but for the rest of their lives.
I learned that the US was not the first country to strip citizens of rights during wartime. (One of the best aspects of this book to me was learning about Tasmania. I'd like to catch a flight there.)
My favorite character became Lieutenant Brown!
If you enjoy a puzzle, you'll enjoy how "blood hound" Conrad sniffs out the solution to the lost letter!
Three cheers from Florida to CB for this great deputy novel. I'm glad I found and read your book.
What a wonderful book with which to end my reading days! The author, Colin Baldwin, reached out to me when I first joined Goodreads and introduced himself to me and welcomed me to this community of readers. Colin and the main character, Conrad Bentley, share many of the same interests, but Colin can also write a mesmerizing story about friendships that stand the tests of war, both physical and psychological.
I enjoyed watching the friendship of Conrad and his next-door neighbor Wally as it developed through the course of the story, I was reminded of Robert Frost's poem that includes "Good fences make good neighbors." I DO think thy they need a gate!
This was an interesting look at the First World War from the perspectives of two sets of young men who wear two very different uniforms, German and ANZAC. The war affects their lives and those they love, not only during the hostility but for the rest of their lives.
I learned that the US was not the first country to strip citizens of rights during wartime. (One of the best aspects of this book to me was learning about Tasmania. I'd like to catch a flight there.)
My favorite character became Lieutenant Brown!
If you enjoy a puzzle, you'll enjoy how "blood hound" Conrad sniffs out the solution to the lost letter!
Three cheers from Florida to CB for this great deputy novel. I'm glad I found and read your book.
April 2, 2022
This book has haunted me for months. I started reading it on a 14-hour long haul flight because it was the first book I wanted to read in 2022. However, I seriously underestimated its impact on me personally as a wife, mother, history buff/WWII-reenactor, and German descendant. Coincidentally I recently discovered that my German 2nd great-grandfather was declared MIA just before the war ended in Nov 1918. While reading about Wolf’s family and Cleve, I imagined that his/my family might have been similar to the type of open-loving people described so beautifully by the author. It challenged many of my ideas about Germany during WWI and leading up to WWII. It also made me remarkably sad.
I put the book down for some time because, well, LIFE.
It is a complex book with a lot of people and places involved. Nevertheless, it deserved my undivided attention, so I took it up two days ago in the peace and quiet of rural Ireland and rapidly consumed it. Initially, I struggled to follow the timeline in the first few chapters. Still, the writing style is engaging, and the sense of interconnectedness between the generations and various nationalities was intriguing.
This is not a traditional love story, but it is undeniably a love letter to Tasmania and the importance of male camaraderie. Maybe the author intended a theme of being connected to the past while remaining grounded in the present? It definitely conveyed a message regarding the importance of connection to the places we come from and the places we identify as home, including the people in those places.
In an unexpected twist, this book made me see my own husband differently as he approaches his current professional sabbatical and, ultimately, retirement. Conrad’s backstory, hobbies, and relationship with Wally, the neighbor, were interesting story elements. It feels like men have a powerful desire to connect on some emotional level within their male friendships, but doing so is often difficult. It was fascinating to see Conrad’s character evolve throughout the book. (I enjoyed the New Year’s Eve scene).
I highly recommend the book. It is thought-provoking and, at the same time, a brilliant piece of storytelling.
I put the book down for some time because, well, LIFE.
It is a complex book with a lot of people and places involved. Nevertheless, it deserved my undivided attention, so I took it up two days ago in the peace and quiet of rural Ireland and rapidly consumed it. Initially, I struggled to follow the timeline in the first few chapters. Still, the writing style is engaging, and the sense of interconnectedness between the generations and various nationalities was intriguing.
This is not a traditional love story, but it is undeniably a love letter to Tasmania and the importance of male camaraderie. Maybe the author intended a theme of being connected to the past while remaining grounded in the present? It definitely conveyed a message regarding the importance of connection to the places we come from and the places we identify as home, including the people in those places.
In an unexpected twist, this book made me see my own husband differently as he approaches his current professional sabbatical and, ultimately, retirement. Conrad’s backstory, hobbies, and relationship with Wally, the neighbor, were interesting story elements. It feels like men have a powerful desire to connect on some emotional level within their male friendships, but doing so is often difficult. It was fascinating to see Conrad’s character evolve throughout the book. (I enjoyed the New Year’s Eve scene).
I highly recommend the book. It is thought-provoking and, at the same time, a brilliant piece of storytelling.
March 31, 2022
4,5 star book. This book is beautifully written and shows a passionate author. This is an author who not only wants to write a book but also shows a commitment to make visible a history that would otherwise never have surfaced. It is very interesting to read the German side of the First World War and especially the way in which more and more facts are revealed during the search. At some points I had trouble with the storylines and the many names that appear in the book, but they are also a result of the fact that I am not quite fluent in English. In short, it is recommended to read a more personal story of the First World War and how such a story comes about. It can also be a source of inspiration to start a similar research yourself. Stories are still being made by delving into the past of war victims. And every time it is nice if this is accomplished in the knowledge that it can sometimes take many years.
August 25, 2022
DNF at 58%... I really hoped I would like "A Soldier's Quartet" by Colin Baldwin but it was not to be for a lot of reasons.
First of all, we’re jumping around in time as if we were Doctor Who’s new companion - from 1918 to 2018 to 1914 and so on and on… This is not only confusing and exhausting, it actually wastes the chance to actually make us care about the German soldier Wolf who first dies and only later do we get insight into some of his life before.
Also, the narration about Conrad’s contemporary research into the letter doesn’t really work for me: It’s a thinly veiled memoir of Colin's endeavours and it feels entirely authentic (including some “classic” German habits and traditions) - but, to me, it’s just not very interesting. A lot of it would totally work and amaze me if told briefly and anecdotally in person. Not so much as a book, though.
There’s also at least one instance in which a lot of story is told - only to be summarised immediately afterwards in a dialogue between Conrad and his neighbour Wally. This made no sense at all story-wise and intrinsically felt weird - would you make your neighbour summarise what you’ve told them over the fence for the last few weeks?
At least part of the writing was (sometimes literally) extremely flowery and over the top:
»Suddenly, the flowers reverted to the colours of war. He was infuriated by their trickery. They turned and took aim, delivering a crushing blow. He felt powerless to defend himself.«
Last but not least, I really disagree with some fundamental assumptions, ideas and wording: Chapter ten is called “1914. Germany Enters The Great War”. No, Germany didn’t enter it, Germany caused World War 1. They most likely didn’t want the war but they knowingly accepted the risk of a global war and fought it as long as they possibly could.
»It is my belief, the young men mentioned in this letter, and all soldiers who died in the war, have no voice in history. I now wish to give them a chance to speak.«
And that’s the second issue: No, I strongly disagree with that statement. Twice my country has tumbled the world into the horrors of global wars. Twice its young men fought for their respective leader and their country. They were proud to fight, in very many cases they volunteered to fight. In both world wars they fought, committed war crimes and so on.
I’m saying: No, the German soldiers deserve no voice. They do not deserve the many memorials all over Germany either. What they did needs to be remembered, who they were may be forgotten. I’m stating this as one whose own grandfather died as a soldier in World War 2. His name shall be forgotten.
There are some truths about Europe that I’d like to highlight, though:
»When it’s the language, culture and friendship that bind us, borders and walls become irrelevant.«
That is absolutely true and with the Schengen Area, (most of) Europe has grown together like never before. For the purpose of travelling the borders are practically gone. I’ve travelled in Europe before the treaty of Schengen of 1995 and it was a dream come true when the borders peacefully fell away…
»One blink of an eye and you wouldn’t even know you’ve crossed a border!«
Even after all these years whenever I cross the border into my beloved France, I cry because there’s nothing that prevents me from visiting the country in friendship that my own Germany has fought against not even 80 years ago…
(At least I cry if I even notice I crossed the border because in the border regions between the German state of Rhineland-Palate and French Alsace, there often simply is no discernible border!)
So, all in all, I cannot help but rate this book at two out of five stars. I still encourage you to read this book if you’re interested in World War 1 - my conviction is, of course, highly subjective and your mileage may differ.
Nichts für ungut, Colin, and I hope we can stay friends!
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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
First of all, we’re jumping around in time as if we were Doctor Who’s new companion - from 1918 to 2018 to 1914 and so on and on… This is not only confusing and exhausting, it actually wastes the chance to actually make us care about the German soldier Wolf who first dies and only later do we get insight into some of his life before.
Also, the narration about Conrad’s contemporary research into the letter doesn’t really work for me: It’s a thinly veiled memoir of Colin's endeavours and it feels entirely authentic (including some “classic” German habits and traditions) - but, to me, it’s just not very interesting. A lot of it would totally work and amaze me if told briefly and anecdotally in person. Not so much as a book, though.
There’s also at least one instance in which a lot of story is told - only to be summarised immediately afterwards in a dialogue between Conrad and his neighbour Wally. This made no sense at all story-wise and intrinsically felt weird - would you make your neighbour summarise what you’ve told them over the fence for the last few weeks?
At least part of the writing was (sometimes literally) extremely flowery and over the top:
»Suddenly, the flowers reverted to the colours of war. He was infuriated by their trickery. They turned and took aim, delivering a crushing blow. He felt powerless to defend himself.«
Last but not least, I really disagree with some fundamental assumptions, ideas and wording: Chapter ten is called “1914. Germany Enters The Great War”. No, Germany didn’t enter it, Germany caused World War 1. They most likely didn’t want the war but they knowingly accepted the risk of a global war and fought it as long as they possibly could.
»It is my belief, the young men mentioned in this letter, and all soldiers who died in the war, have no voice in history. I now wish to give them a chance to speak.«
And that’s the second issue: No, I strongly disagree with that statement. Twice my country has tumbled the world into the horrors of global wars. Twice its young men fought for their respective leader and their country. They were proud to fight, in very many cases they volunteered to fight. In both world wars they fought, committed war crimes and so on.
I’m saying: No, the German soldiers deserve no voice. They do not deserve the many memorials all over Germany either. What they did needs to be remembered, who they were may be forgotten. I’m stating this as one whose own grandfather died as a soldier in World War 2. His name shall be forgotten.
There are some truths about Europe that I’d like to highlight, though:
»When it’s the language, culture and friendship that bind us, borders and walls become irrelevant.«
That is absolutely true and with the Schengen Area, (most of) Europe has grown together like never before. For the purpose of travelling the borders are practically gone. I’ve travelled in Europe before the treaty of Schengen of 1995 and it was a dream come true when the borders peacefully fell away…
»One blink of an eye and you wouldn’t even know you’ve crossed a border!«
Even after all these years whenever I cross the border into my beloved France, I cry because there’s nothing that prevents me from visiting the country in friendship that my own Germany has fought against not even 80 years ago…
(At least I cry if I even notice I crossed the border because in the border regions between the German state of Rhineland-Palate and French Alsace, there often simply is no discernible border!)
So, all in all, I cannot help but rate this book at two out of five stars. I still encourage you to read this book if you’re interested in World War 1 - my conviction is, of course, highly subjective and your mileage may differ.
Nichts für ungut, Colin, and I hope we can stay friends!
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Medium | Matrix | Tumblr
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
January 10, 2022
This is an immersive read into WWI as depicted primarily through 4 friends from childhood, known to family and friends as the "quartet" because of their close friendship. Highly recommended!
Besides the "quartet", the other key character in this story is Colin Bentley, who is living a quiet, but active life in retirement in Tasmania. He enjoys being a member of a sailing crew, being a violinist in a local string quartet, and working to perfect his German language skills by meeting regularly with other locals who have emigrated from Germany or who merely have an interest in the language, when he is handed a letter, written in German during the 1st World War, from a grieving German father, who has just learned that one of his sons has been killed in a battle with the Allies in France, and is writing to inform one of his other sons, who is also engaged in the fight.
Without divulging too much of the plot, I believe the greatest take-away from reading this story is how the author helps to humanize the soldiers of both sides of the conflict and depicts the inanity of war. In fact, I found his descriptions of the family of the slain central character and his "quartet" friends to be quite moving. As the plot unfolds, we accompany Conrad and his wife in discovering both the contents of the letter and their efforts to discover just how this letter from 100 years ago ended up in Tasmania. In the process, after much research and effort, he eventually discovers descendants of the family of the young man about whom the letter was written as well as descendants of his friends, still living in Germany, and makes the trek there to share his discovery of the letter and to learn more from them about their families' pasts.
I was especially struck by the fact that the germ of this book came from the author's desire to honor the young German man who died in France during WWI who was referenced in the discovered letter from 1918, whose life was cut so tragically short, and by extension, to honor all those, on both sides, who died in that great conflict, the supposed "war to end all wars" that consumed the entire world during those years of the early 20th century.
Also noteworthy, was the author's depiction of WWI soldiers whose service resulted in so-called "shell shock", what we would now term PTSD, and their post-war civilian life as those featured in the story sought to adjust to their post-war lives.
I would love to see this book turned into a movie as it was quite easy to "see" many of the scenes of the book appear in my mind's-eye.
Just as a significant aside for this reader, at the same time that I was reading this book, I was also in the midst of another book, "Daughters' of Mars", written by another Australian author, Thomas Kennealy, which also depicts the years of WWI through the eyes of its central characters, two Anzac nurses, who long for the adventure of escaping their home "Down Under" to be a part of "The Great War" as nurses.
Besides the "quartet", the other key character in this story is Colin Bentley, who is living a quiet, but active life in retirement in Tasmania. He enjoys being a member of a sailing crew, being a violinist in a local string quartet, and working to perfect his German language skills by meeting regularly with other locals who have emigrated from Germany or who merely have an interest in the language, when he is handed a letter, written in German during the 1st World War, from a grieving German father, who has just learned that one of his sons has been killed in a battle with the Allies in France, and is writing to inform one of his other sons, who is also engaged in the fight.
Without divulging too much of the plot, I believe the greatest take-away from reading this story is how the author helps to humanize the soldiers of both sides of the conflict and depicts the inanity of war. In fact, I found his descriptions of the family of the slain central character and his "quartet" friends to be quite moving. As the plot unfolds, we accompany Conrad and his wife in discovering both the contents of the letter and their efforts to discover just how this letter from 100 years ago ended up in Tasmania. In the process, after much research and effort, he eventually discovers descendants of the family of the young man about whom the letter was written as well as descendants of his friends, still living in Germany, and makes the trek there to share his discovery of the letter and to learn more from them about their families' pasts.
I was especially struck by the fact that the germ of this book came from the author's desire to honor the young German man who died in France during WWI who was referenced in the discovered letter from 1918, whose life was cut so tragically short, and by extension, to honor all those, on both sides, who died in that great conflict, the supposed "war to end all wars" that consumed the entire world during those years of the early 20th century.
Also noteworthy, was the author's depiction of WWI soldiers whose service resulted in so-called "shell shock", what we would now term PTSD, and their post-war civilian life as those featured in the story sought to adjust to their post-war lives.
I would love to see this book turned into a movie as it was quite easy to "see" many of the scenes of the book appear in my mind's-eye.
Just as a significant aside for this reader, at the same time that I was reading this book, I was also in the midst of another book, "Daughters' of Mars", written by another Australian author, Thomas Kennealy, which also depicts the years of WWI through the eyes of its central characters, two Anzac nurses, who long for the adventure of escaping their home "Down Under" to be a part of "The Great War" as nurses.
June 6, 2023
A Soldier's Quartet by Colin Baldwin is a masterpiece of a memory. I was enchanted by the lyrical strains of his prose; made melancholy by the sheer waste of lives during the war; transported through time to early Australia and her settlers and utterly transfigured by my contact with each character.
Baldwin writes of quartets. A quartet of dear friends from Germany who fight, feed and comfort each other. Wolfgang Deppner, Felix Wittman, Erich Weise and Bruno Klug, four young men who, while fighting in a horrible war, can stop to appreciate the color of the flowers in the fields.
Following the mystery of a letter from WWI, Conrad Bentley, a man in his retirement years in Tasmania, seeks to track the identity of the person the letter addresses. He finds many things on his journey. His friend, Wally says, "By the way, Conrad, I heard the word tenacious the other day and thought it describes you to a T!" And on he goes.
The Soldier's Quartet vividly describes how parts of German families and ex-patriot families in Tasmania were affected by WWI, the beginning of WWII and the look back from today. I loved how each chapter could go from 2018 to 1914 and then back to 1934.
Conrad's research of the letter he receives, his connection to the family and his friends along the way is magical. It is the perfect antidote to war, loss and death. As his character Lt. Brown says, "Seems we were sent over there to kill Germans who weren’t that much different from us, Swinton. What a strange world indeed." "I’m not going to sit back and let you be swallowed up by a war that is now over. No! You must lay down your weapon and be done with it.
The quartet metaphor is used to emphasize how important music is to many of the characters. To Conrad, his greatest love is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the choral addition of the Ode to Joy. And he fiercely defends the lyrics: "Deutschland über alles… Those words were misunderstood or misconstrued, often manipulated for political reasons. They didn’t mean Germany wished to take over the world." He was a true patriot. And The Sage String Quartet he belonged to helped him feel that way.
Of particular help to Conrad, in adjusting to retirement is the German Conversation group he joined to practice learning German. He becomes great friends with Irene and Paul who, in turn, are able to help with his research. Yet another quartet.
Evidence is found of the lost soldier of the quartet, Erich Weise, who had quietly disappeared after the war. He had changed his name to Weide, and become a painter. After his death, he was quoted defending why he painted nature scenes during the war, "He (Weide) said the paradox between the beauty and ugliness of war was deliberate and sincere. ‘My time in France and Belgium was not spent entirely in trenches or on scarred battlefields. I still saw some glimpses of the beautiful countryside, and it is those visions that stayed with me as a testament to my friends."
Back in contemporary Tasmania, it is 2018 in the town of Collinsvale, but in 1914 it was Bismarck, and friends reminisce about how delicious the coffee and cake bakeries used to be. Then, someone reminds them that on Bruny Island an internment camp for those of German descent was a shameful part of their past. And to end on a positive note, a woman says, "There are still German-speaking enclaves across our borders in Belgium and France."."The Alsace region in France is one of my favourite places to visit, especially the beautiful city of Colmar. Both French and German is spoken there." "When it’s the language, culture and friendship that bind us, borders and walls become irrelevant."
The Deppner family puts on a presentation, complete with PowerPoint slides, highlighting the life of Wolfgang Deppner and his descendants, including the part that Conrad Bentley played in bringing everyone all together. They email him a copy as he couldn't attend. Conrad was, "heartened and challenged by Willi’s footnote: What can we do ourselves for the preservation of peace?" Conrad is challenged to compose music for a quartet to accompany the presentation. "I think a quartet just might work. Music for strings can express the horror of war and the tragic death of young, idealistic men."
And, finally, back in 1934, the parents of the only surviving quartet member, Felix Wittman, are listening to him in horror as he enthusiastically repeats what he has heard about the coming changes from 'his Fürher '. His teacher stops him and says, "One man alone cannot make a country and influential without a good government and advisers to guide and steady him. However, one man, who wears a uniform and acts mostly alone, can easily cause harm and chaos."
A book to make you remember, to make you learn new perspectives and to make you think about not repeating the problems of the past. An excellent read.
Baldwin writes of quartets. A quartet of dear friends from Germany who fight, feed and comfort each other. Wolfgang Deppner, Felix Wittman, Erich Weise and Bruno Klug, four young men who, while fighting in a horrible war, can stop to appreciate the color of the flowers in the fields.
Following the mystery of a letter from WWI, Conrad Bentley, a man in his retirement years in Tasmania, seeks to track the identity of the person the letter addresses. He finds many things on his journey. His friend, Wally says, "By the way, Conrad, I heard the word tenacious the other day and thought it describes you to a T!" And on he goes.
The Soldier's Quartet vividly describes how parts of German families and ex-patriot families in Tasmania were affected by WWI, the beginning of WWII and the look back from today. I loved how each chapter could go from 2018 to 1914 and then back to 1934.
Conrad's research of the letter he receives, his connection to the family and his friends along the way is magical. It is the perfect antidote to war, loss and death. As his character Lt. Brown says, "Seems we were sent over there to kill Germans who weren’t that much different from us, Swinton. What a strange world indeed." "I’m not going to sit back and let you be swallowed up by a war that is now over. No! You must lay down your weapon and be done with it.
The quartet metaphor is used to emphasize how important music is to many of the characters. To Conrad, his greatest love is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the choral addition of the Ode to Joy. And he fiercely defends the lyrics: "Deutschland über alles… Those words were misunderstood or misconstrued, often manipulated for political reasons. They didn’t mean Germany wished to take over the world." He was a true patriot. And The Sage String Quartet he belonged to helped him feel that way.
Of particular help to Conrad, in adjusting to retirement is the German Conversation group he joined to practice learning German. He becomes great friends with Irene and Paul who, in turn, are able to help with his research. Yet another quartet.
Evidence is found of the lost soldier of the quartet, Erich Weise, who had quietly disappeared after the war. He had changed his name to Weide, and become a painter. After his death, he was quoted defending why he painted nature scenes during the war, "He (Weide) said the paradox between the beauty and ugliness of war was deliberate and sincere. ‘My time in France and Belgium was not spent entirely in trenches or on scarred battlefields. I still saw some glimpses of the beautiful countryside, and it is those visions that stayed with me as a testament to my friends."
Back in contemporary Tasmania, it is 2018 in the town of Collinsvale, but in 1914 it was Bismarck, and friends reminisce about how delicious the coffee and cake bakeries used to be. Then, someone reminds them that on Bruny Island an internment camp for those of German descent was a shameful part of their past. And to end on a positive note, a woman says, "There are still German-speaking enclaves across our borders in Belgium and France."."The Alsace region in France is one of my favourite places to visit, especially the beautiful city of Colmar. Both French and German is spoken there." "When it’s the language, culture and friendship that bind us, borders and walls become irrelevant."
The Deppner family puts on a presentation, complete with PowerPoint slides, highlighting the life of Wolfgang Deppner and his descendants, including the part that Conrad Bentley played in bringing everyone all together. They email him a copy as he couldn't attend. Conrad was, "heartened and challenged by Willi’s footnote: What can we do ourselves for the preservation of peace?" Conrad is challenged to compose music for a quartet to accompany the presentation. "I think a quartet just might work. Music for strings can express the horror of war and the tragic death of young, idealistic men."
And, finally, back in 1934, the parents of the only surviving quartet member, Felix Wittman, are listening to him in horror as he enthusiastically repeats what he has heard about the coming changes from 'his Fürher '. His teacher stops him and says, "One man alone cannot make a country and influential without a good government and advisers to guide and steady him. However, one man, who wears a uniform and acts mostly alone, can easily cause harm and chaos."
A book to make you remember, to make you learn new perspectives and to make you think about not repeating the problems of the past. An excellent read.
May 27, 2022
This was an intriguing book. I doubt I’ve read a novel where the preface ‘inspired by true events’ seemed so accurate a description. So much of this book feels like a memoir. There is a lack of artifice in the contemporary scenes that makes it seem as though Baldwin is relating his actual experience of investigating the story of the WW1 letter, which I assume is real. The acknowledgments section seems to confirm this, and there’s also a wonderful metanarrative moment at the conclusion of the book where someone proposes that the main character, who shares the same initials as the author, should turn the story into a book.
This makes the story very interesting to read but it also seems to have presented a problem for Baldwin. In rendering the contemporary scenes so accurately (I assume out of respect to the actual people involved) this makes them quite distinct from the past scenes, which are more compact and narrative driven and seem much more a product of the author’s imagination. For this reason I felt the novel didn’t flow between the time transitions as well as it might have had the author had more flexibility with the truth.
That said, the narrative structure worked well, and succeeded in slowly revealing the mystery of how the letter came to Tasmania. I found the past scenes stronger and more affecting. I especially enjoyed the scene in which Wolf was shot and comforted by the other members of his quartet as he lay dying. Given the reader had very little introduction to Wolf before his death, Baldwin did an excellent job making his death a moving experience.
I liked that the main character felt he had a connection through music with the WW1 quartet, even though it couldn’t be established that the four friends ever played instruments. There was also the fascinating history around Collinsvale/Bismarck and the treatment of its German inhabitants when the war began; it put me in mind of 'Snow falling on cedars', which features a similar theme but examines the treatment of Japanese in North America during WW2. It seems that so many nations have a history of having interned their own citizens based on their ethnicity, many of whom then went on to fight for their adopted country. Baldwin, who clearly did a tremendous amount of research to bring this book to life, has explored this well and with a light touch.
I was slightly annoyed by the dialogue at times (there were too many exclamation marks for my taste—everybody seemed to be yelling all the time) but overall I enjoyed this book. It was a skilful blend of fact and fiction, and challenged me because I’m still not sure what is real and what is imagined in it. Are all the letters and correspondence real? Is that newspaper article about the artist Erich Weise real? Baldwin has done an excellent job moving between two worlds and telling a fresh story about a horrible period in our history. While reading, I thought this book might lend itself well to an audiobook version, which would allow for the inclusion of some of the classical music that is so central to the story.
This makes the story very interesting to read but it also seems to have presented a problem for Baldwin. In rendering the contemporary scenes so accurately (I assume out of respect to the actual people involved) this makes them quite distinct from the past scenes, which are more compact and narrative driven and seem much more a product of the author’s imagination. For this reason I felt the novel didn’t flow between the time transitions as well as it might have had the author had more flexibility with the truth.
That said, the narrative structure worked well, and succeeded in slowly revealing the mystery of how the letter came to Tasmania. I found the past scenes stronger and more affecting. I especially enjoyed the scene in which Wolf was shot and comforted by the other members of his quartet as he lay dying. Given the reader had very little introduction to Wolf before his death, Baldwin did an excellent job making his death a moving experience.
I liked that the main character felt he had a connection through music with the WW1 quartet, even though it couldn’t be established that the four friends ever played instruments. There was also the fascinating history around Collinsvale/Bismarck and the treatment of its German inhabitants when the war began; it put me in mind of 'Snow falling on cedars', which features a similar theme but examines the treatment of Japanese in North America during WW2. It seems that so many nations have a history of having interned their own citizens based on their ethnicity, many of whom then went on to fight for their adopted country. Baldwin, who clearly did a tremendous amount of research to bring this book to life, has explored this well and with a light touch.
I was slightly annoyed by the dialogue at times (there were too many exclamation marks for my taste—everybody seemed to be yelling all the time) but overall I enjoyed this book. It was a skilful blend of fact and fiction, and challenged me because I’m still not sure what is real and what is imagined in it. Are all the letters and correspondence real? Is that newspaper article about the artist Erich Weise real? Baldwin has done an excellent job moving between two worlds and telling a fresh story about a horrible period in our history. While reading, I thought this book might lend itself well to an audiobook version, which would allow for the inclusion of some of the classical music that is so central to the story.
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