Read the play of Birdsong straight after the book. A much faster read, so you miss much of the richness (but people who hated the Elizabeth section will be pleased to find it has been cut entirely). Weiving the war-story and love-story more tightly together changes the mood strangly. I'd like to see it performed - there are some bits that seem like they would be very hard to stage. ( )

A truely remarkable book, mainly about WW1 war in the trenches. Harrowing narrative about the fighting that went on and the sights the soldiers were forced to endure, such brave men just discarded on the battle field of the Somme.
The book starts off by introducing us to Stephen the main character a young man that hasn't experienced much love or affection in his life, is in France, he is staying with a family there and falls in Love with the wife. It doesn't work out and he becomes a father, but doesn't know, as his lover (Isabelle leaves him!) We meet Stephen again as an officer at the Somme. Other Characters are introduced to get a balance of perspectives with different backgrounds and ranks. The story also comes full circles as we get to know Stephens Grand-daughter, who investigates his past.
An excellent read, harrowing but truely exceptional. ( )

It was my first time reading a World-War I related novel - all the nitty-gritty details of harsh nature of war and gruesome life-and-death issues... the love story was interesting also. ( )

This book was too slow for me I couldn't get into it at all. ( )

Harrowing account of life in trenches in WW1 with Stephen. ( )