Janet Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Firstly, apologies if this has been reviewed before. I did search, but couldn't see it. Secondly, apologies that this is not a very in-depth review, but I've never written one before, and although I looked at the guide posted at the top of this forum, I felt a bit out of my depth trying to follow it! Anyway, here goes: The First Casualty by Ben Elton This is Ben Elton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Excellent review, Janet. I've been eyeing this one up for a little while & I think I may well get it now. I've read quite a few of Ben Elton's other books & they'er all satirical novels, which I've enjoyed on the whole, but I think this sounds like a welcome departure from his usual style. I look forward to reading more of your reviews in the future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I have been looking at this for ages too, and your review help, thank you. I really like Ben Elton's books, they make me think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitnurse Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 DH got this for his birthday but hasn't started it yet. He loves history and particularly First World War stuff. I am rubbish at writing reviews but I might have a try soon, see how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welshman Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 I enjoyed the book immensely although like Janet I found the ending a little contrived. A shame really as the book gives a solid and realistic account of life in the trenches. Definitely worth a read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly2008 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I havent read it but have just finished reading 'Dead Famous' and i enjoyed it, so im after reading another one of his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Little did I know when I read and reviewed this in June 2006 that I'd be studying WW1 literature and poetry for A level English Lit two years later! I must dig it out and look for some useful quotes to learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I wish WWI poetry had been on the menu when I was at school...instead it was Shakespeare. In fact, I like Shakespeare but his plays were picked to bits and stopped me enjoying them for many years afterwards. Still, I suppose the same could have happened to Wilfred Owen's work if we'd studied that. I'd be Shakespeare-mad and only just beginning to get back to the wartime poets instead of the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 We're doing Shakespeare too! I didn't study Shakespeare when I was at school (a long, long time ago! ) or WW1 poetry. I'm loving both - I think perhaps age helps? Wilfred Owen is fantastic and I also like Sassoon - but also a lot of the other, less well-known, poets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiceguyEddie Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I liked this. I also liked Blast from the Past which was set partly at Greenham Common, but Stark stands out as his best. I'm afraid I'm not too PC and all the green stuff might irritate me now, but it was his debut and read like one of his stage tirades. I saw him in stand up once. In 1983 in Kentish Town. I think it was just after the first Young Ones series. I used to watch that repeatedly. He's very talented. Oh.. and whilst he'd not written an historical novel before, don't forget Blackadder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 I watched Blackadder Goes Forth on Sunday, because it's relevant to my A Level! The perfect excuse to watch it again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I watched Blackadder Goes Forth on Sunday, because it's relevant to my A Level! The perfect excuse to watch it again... Every year, first world war it goes on! use Blackadder III for voting too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 Every year, first world war it goes on!use Blackadder III for voting too! Sorry - I'm not quite sure what you mean? Voting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 I just have to say, I loved this book. It was this book which introduced me to Ben Elton, and I certainly have no regrets about that. You watch Black Addar for A-Level?! That is so awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 22, 2008 Author Share Posted May 22, 2008 You watch Black Addar for A-Level?! That is so awesome! An excerpt from the script came up on a paper two years ago! It compares quite nicely to the play "Oh! What a Lovely War". We're allowed to watch rather than read the script as long as, when we mention it in the exam, we say "in the TV/film version of..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Haha that is genious! I love it! We didn't watch anything nearly as fun during A-Level/degree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I watched Blackadder Goes Forth on Sunday, because it's relevant to my A Level! The perfect excuse to watch it again... Its the same for me because im doing WWI literature for A-level! So every weekend, I watch 'Blackadder Goes Fourth' (for revision purposes of course!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I wish WWI poetry had been on the menu when I was at school...instead it was Shakespeare. Im doing both! Im not sure what I prefer - I think I prefer Shakespeare overall, but at the moment I prefer WWI literature because my Shakespeare teacher is AWFUL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted December 29, 2008 Author Share Posted December 29, 2008 I bought an audio CD of WW1 poetry from Amazon and listened to it in the car, which helped a lot of it stick for my A level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 'The First Casualty' is on my reading list from school so i'll be reading that in 2009! My friend Zoe loves WWI literature even though she doesn't do English A-level, so I brought her the book for christmas, and now were in competetion to see who can finish it first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooncat Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Oo this sounds good - added to my list:readingtwo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Sorry - I'm not quite sure what you mean? Voting? Belatedly there is an episode when Baldrick stands for parliament in a rotten borough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladyinthetower Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 One of my fave Elton books... I have always loved the WWI era and like got my GCSE in History watching Blackadder Gors Forth. The First Casualty is very compelling, has a good pace and reads very evry well. Like others I wasn't overly struck on the ending and I think Elton may have lost his way when trying to find a satisfactory conclusion for his hero. However, it doesn't detract from the sheer power of the book, the descriptive passages about life in the trenches, poor boys, wonded and shell shocked in hospital. Let's face it, it was a grim and horrific time and Elton captures it wonderfully. LITT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Janet This book is superb it was recommended to me by a work colleague and by pure luck I saw it in the for sale bin at the local library...it cost me 10p...best 10p I ever spent Ben Elton's books are a bit hit and miss but this ranks as my all time favourite....have you read birdsong by Sebastian Faulks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 I have read Birdsong. I thought it was great. I keep meaning to read more Faulks - I have the ...Lion D'or one on my 'to read' pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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