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thecaptainsquarters 's review for:
The Warm Hands of Ghosts
by Katherine Arden
Ahoy there me mateys! This novel takes place in WWI. The author's note claims that the word Arden had in mind while writing this book was "steampunk" in the sense that she wanted to show the clashing of old and new world technologies and morals. This is a historical fiction novel with supernatural elements.
The book begins in Halifax, Canada in 1918. Laura, a retired field nurse, receives word of her brother's death. Only Laura's experience shows her that something about his death is not as it seems. She volunteers to go back to Flanders determined to find out the truth.
The greatest strength of the book lies in its dual narrative structure. The first part deals with Laura in 1918. The second deals with Freddie beginning in November 1917 in the trenches. The mystery and supernatural elements have immense tension because of this set-up. Laura is trying to find the truth in the present while the reader slowly learns the truth in the past as well. The timelines eventually merge while never lessening the suspense.
The ghosts of the title deal with trauma, memory, and human relationships. I don't want to get into more about the supernatural elements because those are part of the mystery. I really thought this was a successful novel overall. The idea of the old world changing into something new and unknown was extremely clear. The showcasing of the war through field surgery and soldiers had a poignant juxtaposition. And of course, war is shown to be messy and wasteful. This novel is really more about ideas and concepts in the long run.
The minor problem I had with the novel was at the end of the book when the characters are fleeing Europe and where the characters end up. Like always money seems to solve a lot. The romance elements didn't work for me as there was not enough insight into how the characters really came to fall in love. I would have preferred the romance to come out altogether. Personal preference really.
While I enjoyed this book, it kinda makes me want to go back and reread All Quiet on the Western Front. Arrrr!
The book begins in Halifax, Canada in 1918. Laura, a retired field nurse, receives word of her brother's death. Only Laura's experience shows her that something about his death is not as it seems. She volunteers to go back to Flanders determined to find out the truth.
The greatest strength of the book lies in its dual narrative structure. The first part deals with Laura in 1918. The second deals with Freddie beginning in November 1917 in the trenches. The mystery and supernatural elements have immense tension because of this set-up. Laura is trying to find the truth in the present while the reader slowly learns the truth in the past as well. The timelines eventually merge while never lessening the suspense.
The ghosts of the title deal with trauma, memory, and human relationships. I don't want to get into more about the supernatural elements because those are part of the mystery. I really thought this was a successful novel overall. The idea of the old world changing into something new and unknown was extremely clear. The showcasing of the war through field surgery and soldiers had a poignant juxtaposition. And of course, war is shown to be messy and wasteful. This novel is really more about ideas and concepts in the long run.
The minor problem I had with the novel was at the end of the book when the characters are fleeing Europe and where the characters end up. Like always money seems to solve a lot. The romance elements didn't work for me as there was not enough insight into how the characters really came to fall in love. I would have preferred the romance to come out altogether. Personal preference really.
While I enjoyed this book, it kinda makes me want to go back and reread All Quiet on the Western Front. Arrrr!