[WPF] The Absolutist by John Boyne 5 Stars

[Sue]

Set in the trenches of WWI, this book follows the story of Tristan Sadler and Will Bancroft. One survives the war, the other does not.

Their relationship is not exactly a love story, but more of an exploration of what it might have meant to be gay during a time when that identity was flat out denied. With the most vehement denials coming from Will himself.

The book also depicts what it may have felt like to live in the trenches as a private soldier, experiencing death and misery all around, fully expecting to die at any time. There's also a sub-plot of the treatment of conscientious objectors

I feel like my review isn't doing justice to this powerful book, but like many of Boyne's books it's brilliant.

[Joy D]

So glad you loved it too, Sue!