Robin

As a book written in reaction to the horrors of WWI, it speaks volumes. While the writing style is difficult due to punctuation, sentimentality used to the point of saccharin, purple prose, and odd syntax used by the author, I enjoyed it. The very emphasis on the horrors of war acted to explain the desire of the age for scientific explanation for what seemed inexplicable, relates to similar reactions in recent years as regards terrorism. It accompanies the rise of psychology, Freud, and the desire to believe in something, anything, to heal the very real fear, pain, and grief of the era. I think that it is this which drove me to finish it. It wasn't the story, or the style, it was the obviously direct hit of WWI into the imagination of the writer. This would probably be a good item on a reading list of WWI literature, songs, and poetic works for a college literary criticism course.

Robin exasperates me. Most of the characters do. But still a good read. And I really profoundly cried my eyes out at poor old Jackson's death. The smallest of characters but the only I actually liked and he's never described or has a line!

The story is about faith and trusting in God's hands to believe that all things are possible if you believe.