Ben Elton - The First Casualty

[Janet]

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’s first historical thriller. It is set during the First World War. It tells the story of Douglas Kingsley, a conscientious objector and a former detective with the London police, before he was disgraced and sent to prison for his beliefs. He is ‘murdered’ and then sent to France under an alias in order to investigate the murder of an officer and famous poet, whose murder was originally covered up as a ‘killed in action’ death.

I have only read one other Ben Elton book before, so I can’t compare it to his other works. The one I read, Inconceivable, was a comedy, but his is about as far removed from comedy as one could get!

The paperback is 448 pages long and is published by Black Swan. The ISBN number is 0552771309.

I found the book to be a very easy read. It is fairly fast moving. The subject matter was sometimes a little hard to read but not too graphic.

From a personal point of view, having just read Othello, it is obvious that Elton has read Shakespeare! Two of the phrases he uses about sex – ‘making the beast with two backs’ and ‘tupping’ come from that book!

The story was tied up nicely towards the end of the book, but the very ending I found to be a little contrived.

All in all though, it was a very enjoyable read and I’d probably give it 7.5/10.

[Kell]

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! :)

[Louiseog]

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.

[knitnurse]

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.

[Welshman]

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.

[kelly2008]

I havent read it but have just finished reading 'Dead Famous' and i enjoyed it, so im after reading another one of his books. :)

[Janet]

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!

[prospero]

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.

[Janet]

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. :)

[NiceguyEddie]

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.

[Janet]

I watched Blackadder Goes Forth on Sunday, because it's relevant to my A Level!

The perfect excuse to watch it again...

[Louiseog]

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!

[Janet]

Every year, first world war it goes on!
use Blackadder III for voting too!
Sorry - I'm not quite sure what you mean? :) Voting?

[kb.marsh]

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!

[Janet]

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..." :D

[kb.marsh]

Haha that is genious! I love it! We didn't watch anything nearly as fun during A-Level/degree

[Suzanne123]

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!) :mrgreen:

[Suzanne123]

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! :motz:

[Janet]

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. :)

[Suzanne123]

'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! :tong:

[Spooncat]

Oo this sounds good - added to my list:readingtwo:

[Louiseog]

Sorry - I'm not quite sure what you mean? :) Voting?
Belatedly there is an episode when Baldrick stands for parliament in a rotten borough