In Memoriam by Alice Winn / Review

I was hesitant to read another novel set in WWI, but Alice Winn's debut novel “In Memoriam” is so powerful and cleverly structured that I fell in love with its characters and story. Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.

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In Memoriam by Alice Winn

The World and All That It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:13 Overview
2:21 Plot summary
5:07 Characters
7:50 Structure
9:09 Poetry
10:50 Conclusion

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Get in touch

[diegogma]

I think a good director could turn this book into a beautiful and unforgettable movie in the future! I read Winn's book in italian and I found it enchanting and very well written! Thank you for your review

She has already written the screenplay: 1) she says in another Youtube video that the screenplay was included in her drafts of this book, but ultimately removed, 2) She has written 3-4 novels before In Memoriam but they all were rejected by 60 - 100 publishers, 3) She is a screenwriter, and lives now in L.A.

[literaryrealm]

when you said those first few sentences i was like ‘yeah that’s how in memoriam made me feel’ AND THEN IT’S LITERALLY ABOUT IN MEMORIAM!!!! YES!!!!

[desertjim]

I am happy you are bringing attention to this book. I hope next awards season we are seeing it on many short lists. It is definitely my favorite this year.

[bstephens]

I concur with everything you said. I assume this work is eligible for the Booker and, if so, it is already my choice to win.

Btw, I have my grandfather’s WWI military records. He enlisted in the Canadian army in 1914 at the age of 15. The recruiting officer only had to sign a statement that the recruit was “of apparent age.” It seems many countries were winking and smirking as they sent their children off to hell.

[anitahayne]

I have been surprised by the lack of recognition this book has gotten so far. Glad you are giving it the love it deserves.

[bradleybrett]

Thank you for bringing this novel to my attention! I’m currently halfway through and so far it’s quickly becoming one of my favourite reads of this year ❤

[valdeane]

37 seconds in and I was so happy you were talking about In Memoriam! It definitely made me feel like that! Ever since I read it I have been hoping some of my favourite booktubers would read it too! Would love to chat about it with someone who has read it! I have watched all the interviews with Alice Winn too and as a result, I read Giovanni's Room which was also amazing and also have The Runaways. Now I'll listen to the rest of the video to see what you have to say about it. Think it's definitely going to be my favourite book of the year!

[gailhewitt]

Oddly, I ordered this book a few days ago and it is arriving today. It's a period I've never been drawn to so this is my first WW1 novel. What a fabulous review you've done and I feel circumstances have aligned to this book being my next read. I really enjoy your in-depth reviews and am excited to enter the lives of these two young men.

[michaeldornan]

Alexandar Hemon's book took my breath away so will definitely read In Memoriam. Thanks for pointing it out!

[Elizabeth-Reads]

I loved this too! I thought I was familiar with this era, but this was a side I hadn’t seen before. So multidimensional and well done, I’m glad you’re talking about it, Eric!

[pretzel-vc]

Absolutely adore the way you described this book. I was struggling to put into words the beauty of the story (achieved without sugar coating the realities of war) and the way it tugged at my heart, and hearing you talk about it made me really happy. Thank you for the video!

[cindyhaiken]

So so glad you felt the same about this book. So far it is my most impactful read of the year.

[kisscass]

I only just came across this book today and thought it sounded really good, even though I don't generally read books set in wartime (for various reasons). Your ringing endorsement, coming along mere hours later, can only be serendipity - you have sold me completely!

A note on the White Feather Brigade; though it was initiated in England by a man who was a big proponent of conscription (and instructed women to do the job, believing it would be more effective), it reached as far as over here in Australia. I remember hearing a story of a man who received several white feathers in his mail (the hypocrisy of such cowardice is unbelievable), and because he kept being rejected from the army for some physical impairment, and due to his own shame being compounded a hundred times over by these feathers, he ended up committing suicide.
Of course, the sheer scale of the tragedy in war is unfathomable, and is no small part of why I don't often read books set in those periods - but it seems I'm making an exception for this one! Thanks for the recommendation, I hope I get as much out of it as you have😊

[dqan]

Glad I watched this. As a WWI buff I already had In Memoriam on my radar, but I'd forgotten about the Hemon book.

[EveningReader]

Eric, you are hurting my TBR! This sounds too good to pass up.

[antineah]

Thank you for this video, I am fascinated by this period so will definitely read this book. Aside from All Quiet on the Western Front and Testament of Youth which are brilliant books written at the time, I would definitely encourage you to read the poetry of the time. Par Barker’s Regeneration trilogy is wonderful.

[qujisvsx]

I've seen In Memoriam a couple of times in recent booktuber videos but this is the first detailed review I hear, the books sounds so interesting and heartbreaking, it's definitely in my TBR now! Off topic, but when I watch your videos I sometimes wish you filmed in front of your bookshelves - when watching booktuber videos I always love seeing what books are in the background, it makes for a very aesthetically pleasing and interesting added bonus. Just a random suggestion :)

[SoulsJourney]

There was a scene in Downton Abbey with white feathers being given to a couple of the servants before the women doing it were thrown out. I haven't read this but it sounds incredible.

[CharlieBrookReads]

Yeah for In Memoriam 🥰 Just adored it too!! Great review as always xx