Dalton Trumbo (1905–1976)

I tried to read this book about a year ago. I was actually recommended it by a teacher in a class I was taking about World War II. I think it's an excellently written book, and it's a great example of how pointless war can be, as well as an extreme example of the toll it often took on the lives of young soldiers. However, I just couldn't bring myself to finish the book. I was going through a hard time emotionally when I picked it up, and when I figured out that the protagonist is completely paralyzed, I just got too depressed. I suppose I let my mind empathize too much into the fact that he has no limbs, no eyesight, and no hearing, and how horrible it would be to realize you were in that kind of situation. That, doubled with his tender recollections of life before the war were just a little too much for me at the time.
I might pick it up again someday, but for now, I don't know.… (plus d'informations)

“Then how could a guy lose his arms and legs and ears and eyes and nose and mouth and still be alive?
How did you make any sense out of it?”

Pretty much sums up the theme of this book. A young man, flung into war, wakes up to the above situation and while reliving his life, struggles with the horror of his predicament. It's more like a horror novel than a war novel, considering the condition of the poor man.

I enjoyed this read but didn't love the ending. I felt like I needed more closure.
And I'll tell ya' what, on a personal note - I maybe shouldn't have read this just one week before I go in for back surgery. I'm not comparing that to what the young man in this book woke up too, but it would be a nightmare for me to wake up next week without the ability to move my arms and legs! So, if you are facing any kind of surgery, don't read this book until after!!!… (plus d'informations)