An astonishing book. Powerful, beautiful and compelling, this is a harrowing tale of almost relentless emotional horror and hardship sprinkled with delicate scenes of heartbreaking beauty. It would be hard to say that I 'enjoyed' this book, but I truly was utterly absorbed by it. In an intense three-day obsession I read it on the bus (missing my stop), at work (extending my lunch break) and curled in a corner at home. Even in public I was unable to hide my frequent tears.

Boyden's writing is as magical as his story is haunting. His depiction of the north (my home that I love so deeply) is exquisite, conveying its culture and the beauty of the land as only a true northerner could. These moments of freedom and love are rare, though, as much of the story focuses on the brutality and unabating hopelessness of life in the trenches of WWI, the ability of war to twist people, ruin lives, and rip relationships apart.

Truly, this is a devastating read. Despite this, it must be read- for its power, its beauty, and its way of clinging to you afterward. Like woodsmoke.