Lyndal Simpson’s Reviews > The Brightest Day, the Darkest Night > Status Update

Wow. The description of the horror of war is so vivid. At one point I was going to put the book down just because I was terrified Lavelle was going to die and I couldn't bear it. A bleak read, but one that affects and educates.

If Lavelle does it will be too much. That one step of misery too far for me.

The text on page 455 of my edition is horribly disjointed, missing words and punctuation. Very confusing to read.

I just hate everything to do with the Labiche family and their plantation. I wish the story would move away from there. I know it's all part of the historical setting and relevant as a way of life that is about to die, but still.

The killing of the hog and dissecting it - gross - and I'm not sure what purpose it served other than to further confirm that Lucretia Labiche is a cold hearted bitch.

Not the author's fault but the book was littered with spelling errors and even one paragraph was printed twice. Louisa was referred to as Louise at one point and the surname 'Labiche' became 'Lebiche' then 'Labiche' then 'Lebiche' again within the space of two pages!

The futility and brutality of war is so well conveyed. The ordinary man is just cannon fodder. Those in power never risking life or limb and profiting from war in their grand houses. The whole 'honour' and 'freedom' thing is a crick used to manipulate people into joining up. Be a gallant hero. A dead gallant hero.

Poor Lavelle. Emmeline Labiche and her mother Lucretia are vipers. I hope some canon destroys their house.

At this point in proceedings the bright days are very thin on the ground. So much overwhelming tragedy and despair. And yet the dogged belief in God and His vision remains intact.