James Whyle takes on the war genre with an eloquent narrative and a command of language and style that captures the fragility and bleakness of the time. There is no doubt that Whyle is a masterful storyteller.
The Book of War tells the story of a boy who comes to manhood in a war. William Kentridge has called it, “a rare feast”, and Rian Malan, “a very good book, possibly great.”
An illiterate European child is stranded on the southern tip of Africa. The British and the Xhosa have been spilling each other’s blood for eighty years and the kid signs up for the conflict in the hope of steady meals and a few shillings a month.
**
Review
"A brilliant, unforgettable debut."
The Times.
"One is thrown ... into the heart of the action, in a state of dread and fascination induced by the dire events, the pristine setting and the perfection of the writing."
Mail & Guardian.
"Cuts to the bone."
GQ South Africa
"Can be reckoned with Denys Reitz's Commando."
Die Burger
"A triumphant mix of evocative period detail and modern social and political resonance."
The Witness
"Brutal and detailed."
Cape Times.
"A stunning debut novel, well written and... disturbing."
Pretoria News
"Gripping."
ArtsLink
"Whyle can write."
Business Day
"A great book in every sense of the word."
LitNet
"Brings events of yesteryear shockingly close."
Wanted at Large
From the Back Cover
'A very good book, possibly great.' Rian Malan
'A rare feast.' William Kentridge
'Proof that, in some cases, less is more.' JM Coetzee on The Story
Description:
James Whyle takes on the war genre with an eloquent narrative and a command of language and style that captures the fragility and bleakness of the time. There is no doubt that Whyle is a masterful storyteller.
The Book of War tells the story of a boy who comes to manhood in a war. William Kentridge has called it, “a rare feast”, and Rian Malan, “a very good book, possibly great.”
An illiterate European child is stranded on the southern tip of Africa. The British and the Xhosa have been spilling each other’s blood for eighty years and the kid signs up for the conflict in the hope of steady meals and a few shillings a month. **
Review
"A brilliant, unforgettable debut." The Times. "One is thrown ... into the heart of the action, in a state of dread and fascination induced by the dire events, the pristine setting and the perfection of the writing." Mail & Guardian. "Cuts to the bone." GQ South Africa "Can be reckoned with Denys Reitz's Commando." Die Burger "A triumphant mix of evocative period detail and modern social and political resonance." The Witness "Brutal and detailed." Cape Times. "A stunning debut novel, well written and... disturbing." Pretoria News "Gripping." ArtsLink "Whyle can write." Business Day "A great book in every sense of the word." LitNet "Brings events of yesteryear shockingly close." Wanted at Large
From the Back Cover
'A very good book, possibly great.' Rian Malan 'A rare feast.' William Kentridge 'Proof that, in some cases, less is more.' JM Coetzee on The Story