In a stunning tour-de-force, Marge Piercy has woven a tapestry of World War II, of six women and four men, who fought and died, worked and worried,...
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May 10, 2008
Suzanne
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This is a sprawling epic covering a loosely-linked dozen people through WWII. Piercy explores the war among immigrants and citizens in the US, refugees, soldiers, spies, and members of the underground resistance; most of the characters eventually cross paths in one way or another. The characters are vividly painted, and as far as I know, it's fairly historically accurate. It's an incredible work of women's history and contributions to the war effort, as well as a very strong novel. I've read
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Mar 01, 2009
Jill
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This is one of my all-time favorite books. I don't know if it's partly because I read it as I traveled around England with my mother many years ago, but I do remember trying to ration it, dreading coming to the end and not having these people in my life anymore. I love Marge Piercy's writing style and her books are always incredibly well-researched - or at least they seem to be, as I feel as if I'm living in the time of the book. This one takes place during WWII (see - told you I like that pe
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Jul 12, 2011
Sarah
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Really good. Interesting characters, structured plot, and included tons of historical detail without seeming clumsy about it. WWII is a beast of a subject, but this book managed to cover a lot of it thoughtfully - from combat, resistance, refugee, American, French, Jewish, female, male perspectives...it's pretty impressive.
Took off a star because the beginning was a little slow, and the prose was just a little bit awkward in some parts. Also, the version I read was one of those paper More...
Took off a star because the beginning was a little slow, and the prose was just a little bit awkward in some parts. Also, the version I read was one of those paper More...
Jan 17, 2011
Mia
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GONE TO SOLDIERS is a timeless story about WWII that proves once again why Marge Piercy is a masterful story teller. A 770-page novel encompassing the lives of eight major characters and two minor, but no less important characters, Duvey and Murray, it's an epic story spanning the critical war years between 1939-1945. GONE TO SOLDIERS is more than a story about war and its atrocities; that is, it's not gorified guts and glory - sure there are plenty of searingly, painful scenes (and you'll feel
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Aug 07, 2011
Wendy
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I have to rewrite my review. I haven't read this book in 20 years, and started re-reading it early this month. My how things change.
While I like Piercy's writing and her characterizations and setting are very strong, I was totally blown away by the fact that just about every single character -- and there are many characters in this novel -- is involved with some kind of animal exploitation. This is probably not something a non-vegan would notice, and I recognize that animal exploitati More...
While I like Piercy's writing and her characterizations and setting are very strong, I was totally blown away by the fact that just about every single character -- and there are many characters in this novel -- is involved with some kind of animal exploitation. This is probably not something a non-vegan would notice, and I recognize that animal exploitati More...
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Jun 26, 2009
Lorrie
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I just finished this book yesterday and it is a lot to digest. I'm not sure if it should get a 3 or 4 star rating but I'm being positive today and going with the 4. One thing is for sure: it will stick with me for a long time.
Positives: interesting characters, great storylines for all the characters, WWII history presented in an interesting way, the story moved along quickly, well written. I liked how the home front was included into the war effort because the women/families in t More...
Positives: interesting characters, great storylines for all the characters, WWII history presented in an interesting way, the story moved along quickly, well written. I liked how the home front was included into the war effort because the women/families in t More...
Dec 31, 2011
Coquille
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I've read ALL of her books and this one is definitely my favorite of all time. Be prepared to cry your eyes out. World War II was intense no matter where you lived and this book shows all kinds of people who may or may not survive it... From the resistance gueurrilla fighters to the women on the assembly lines, this book shows the multi-faceted world that existed for women in the early 1940's. Gingembre is my favorite warrior spirit in a literary work. Worth reading just for her.
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Jun 10, 2008
Lynn
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Amazing book. Follows a myriad of characters through World War II. Americans, French citizens, Jews and Gentiles. Citizens, prisoners, and soldiers. Lots of points of view to consider. 700 pages long and more than worth the read. I will truly miss some of these characters. I wish Marge Piercy would follow up on some of them - most especially Bernice, Naomi, and Jacqueline.
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Mar 25, 2008
Dennis
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This book ruined me for all Marge Piercy novels to come because none have matched it in my opinion as a sheer tour-de-force of World War 2 as seen through various eyes. The strength shown by the characters was amazing and there were parts that really tore me apart. a definite re-read in the future.
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Dec 31, 2011
Anne
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Very good epic read, though a bit slow at times. Marge Piercy is phenomenal at characterization . She uses this skill well by telling the stories of 10 people and how their lives take shape over the course of WW11 and it's aftermath.
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Sep 06, 2007
Dottie
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No clue when I first read this nor how many times I've read it since then nor how many copies I still own nor how many I've given away to friends and family. It's that good in my opinion and Piercy is one of my favorite writers.
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Nov 06, 2011
Trisha
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Of the many WWII novels I’ve read, this is one of the best – possibly because it encompasses what’s going on from multiple narrative points of view and covers the war from many angles. The novel intertwines the stories of at least eight major characters all of whom are dealing with the uncertainty and danger of the war but in different places and from different perspectives. Because the action continually shifts back and forth from one location to the other - the War in the Pacific, the fate of
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Mar 13, 2010
Mary JL
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A rarity, my friends--five stars. I seldom give that but a few books deserve it and this is one.
Marge Piercy has taken ten major characters--six women and four men--and written a superb novel of the homefornt during World War II. She gives a very excellent portrayal of the hardships faced at home. Waiting to get a letter from the loved one overseas. The stringent rationing of gas, sugar and many other items. The rumors. The good times and the bad. The seperation of families. The pol More...
Marge Piercy has taken ten major characters--six women and four men--and written a superb novel of the homefornt during World War II. She gives a very excellent portrayal of the hardships faced at home. Waiting to get a letter from the loved one overseas. The stringent rationing of gas, sugar and many other items. The rumors. The good times and the bad. The seperation of families. The pol More...
Aug 08, 2009
Ruth
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World War II was the leitmotif of my childhood, bracketed by my memories of Pearl Harbor Day ( “Go outside and play, children. We’re listening to the radio.”) and VJ Day, when a parade of cars jammed Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna. The photo of a dead American Marine half-buried in the sands of a Pacific Island is an image I’ve carried with me all my life.
So I was predisposed to read this book. It’s a big, fat, old-fashioned novel with a myriad of characters and plots, held toge More...
So I was predisposed to read this book. It’s a big, fat, old-fashioned novel with a myriad of characters and plots, held toge More...
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Apr 26, 2011
Kari
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This is a book that I read when it first came out in 1987, and I have re-read it several times since then. It's about time to do it again. The characters are fleshed out and compelling. I wanted more time with each of them. I still have my first edition of the book, though some pages are falling out. Good for airplane rides, and long summer days. WWII thru the eyes of several women and a couple of men.
Nov 23, 2010
Mary
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Very engrossing; well-developed characters. I like her writing style. Very long, but highly recommended. Read the reviews of others; they speak for me. One thing I also liked, among others, was how some of the characters were related to others but didn't know it. Kind of like facebook. We are all one degree of separation, or two, or three, but we are inter-related. So, characters who seemingly were entirely unrelated, actually had a tie, and one that they may never know about. So it is true for
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Apr 10, 2010
Lisa
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Possibly the best book I've ever read. A bit confusing at first keeping all of the characters straight, but well worth the effort. It was amazing that Piercy was able to weave together each of the characters in a meaningful way. Take your time and savor every sentance in this book - you won't want it to end.
Jan 02, 2010
Margie
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I am, perhaps, easily impressed by writers who can manage a large number of story lines well. Marge Piercy shows how it should be done in this rich novel, which covers years, continents, and quite a few characters.
I especially appreciated that although some characters had happy endings, an equal number had unresolved or indifferently resolved endings.
I especially appreciated that although some characters had happy endings, an equal number had unresolved or indifferently resolved endings.
Jan 04, 2010
Bill
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By far and away the best novel I have ever read. It has the breadth of War and Peace but the characters are much more alive and the treatment of men and women is so much more real. When I finished the book, I truly felt like I had lived 9 different lives right through World War II.
A Masterpiece!
A Masterpiece!
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May 03, 2008
Galen
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The story of World War II is told from the perspective of women in the US and in France, and men who fought or served in ways other than on the European front—in the Pacific, as spies, and in the merchant marine. A variety of characters, from a young French woman who loses her family and serves as a guide getting children out of France before being taken to a concentration camp, a young woman serving in the WASP as a pilot, a young man who leaves his lover to serve in the East Pacific, all deal
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Oct 25, 2009
John
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Disjointed at first with numerous story lines, the book comes into its own after the first third. Through her characters and story lines, Piercy makes a statement about antisemitism through WWII years. accurately reflects the randomness of war.
Apr 27, 2009
Beth
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This was beyond good. It was fantastic. There are so many characters, but they are all so well-developed. The plot, and the many sub-plots, were intricate, with no mistakes.
I've read this three times, and I recommend it frequently.
I've read this three times, and I recommend it frequently.
Feb 26, 2011
Mary
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This was one of those books I read a number of times, though not really because of the quality of the writing. The stories are compelling, but it's not particularly groundbreaking or anything. Still, it ground itself into my consciousness.
Mar 22, 2009
Carrie
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A beautifully written, complex book, taking place in the United States and Europe during World War II. The story follows many inter-related characters and story lines about different people as they try to survive during the war.
Nov 29, 2009
Rob
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A very interesting account of a handful of different people and to what extent they become involved in WWII. It made me think of my Grandpa fighting in the South Pacific...and my Grandma in Ohio wondering if he was alive...
Dec 01, 2009
Claire
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Must read this again! After 'To Kill a Mockingbird', and being hemmed in to the one character's point-of-view, I've been very much missing a multi-pov experience. This book was one of my first experiences of it, and one I really enjoyed. Also, the subject, WWII, is very current for me right now as well, and it's been well over 10 years since I read this last, so it will be perfect. Much as re-reading things when I have so many new things waiting to be read heightens my impatience for the rest, i
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Mar 19, 2009
Nancy
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I sometimes find Marge Piercy's books difficult to get into, but this novel of World War II, told through the stories of a number of young people in the U.S. and Europe, is very readable and engaging.
Oct 29, 2008
Lizzi
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The first time I read this book was when I was fourteen and was too young to fully understand or appreciate it. However, since then I've read it several times and it has come to hold a special place for me. This novel of how the lives ten loosely intertwined characters on all fronts, both battle and home, are forever changed. Marge Piercy does an excellent job of showing how war of such magnitude is felt in all realms of life by everyone. Every time I read this book I'm brought to tears and
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Sep 27, 2009
Chris
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This is the best book I have ever read. This is a must for anyone who enjoys historial fiction. I have friends who don't like History, but loved it as well.
Nov 26, 2008
Rebecca
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This novel is a masterpiece of the craft of writing. This is my all time favorite novel. I won't give anything away--just go read it!
