by Jean-Christophe Rufin (2014)
Dans une petite ville du Berry, écrasée par la chaleur de l'été, en 1919, un héros de la guerre est retenu prisonnier au fond d'une caserne déserte. Devant la porte, son chien tout cabossé aboie jour et nuit. Non loin de là, dans la campagne, une jeune femme usée par le travail de la terre, trop instruite cependant pour être une simple paysanne, attend et espère. Le juge qui arrive pour démêler cette affaire est un aristocrate dont la guerre a fait vaciller les principes. Trois personnages et, au milieu d'eux, un chien, qui détient la clef du drame ... Plein de poésie et de vie, ce court récit, d'une fulgurante simplicité, est aussi un grand roman sur la fidélité. Être loyal à ses amis, se battre pour ceux qu'on aime, est une qualité que nous partageons avec les bêtes. Le propre de l'être humain n'est-il pas d'aller au-delà et de pouvoir aussi reconnaître le frère en celui qui vous combat?
Tom and Tony Bradman
It is 1918. A British soldier, Bill Sparkes, is carrying an important message for American troops on the frontline. Sparkes is soon caught up in the fighting when the Americans are attacked. With bullets flying all around, Sparkes must find a way to support the Americans and stop the Germans breaking through ...
Hugh Walpole
This book is based upon Walpole's experiences in Russia, 1914-1917. Set in early 20th century Russia, this novel is the story of John Durward who meets Henry Bohun when the latter lodges with Nicholas and Vera Petrovich and Vera's sister Nina. Vera encourages Bohun's interest in Nina who longs to leave home. Uncle Semyonov turns up with a sense of impending trouble, while in Petrograd (St. Petersburg, Leningrad) the revolution threatens.
Thomas Boyd
A story of the horrors of World War I and their effects on the psyche of a young American Marine. (The author died in his early thirties of a brain tumor, thought to be caused by gassing during the war.).
Gene Wolfe
This omnibus of two acclaimed novels is the story of Latro, a Roman mercenary who was fighting in Greece when he received a head injury that deprived him of his short-term memory but gave him in return the ability to see and converse with the supernatural creatures, the gods and goddesses, who invisibly inhabit the classical landscape. Latro forgets everything when he sleeps. Writing down his experiences every day and reading his journal anew each morning gives him a poignantly tenuous hold on himself, but his story's hold on readers is powerful indeed.