A Distant Field: A Novel of World War I in Read Scotland

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Feb 01, 2019 Elliot rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, fiction, historical-fiction, world-war-1, owned

I'm not used to reviewing fiction stories so I'll do my best to avoid any spoilers!

A Distant Field was an entertaining read. Following the path of a section of Seaforth Highlanders during the Great War, this book isn't for the faint of heart. However, those willing to bear the gruesome descriptions of the carnage wrought by this conflict will find a cast of likable characters and an interesting story supported by a vast amount of historical detail and research.

In particular, I enjoyed the variou I'm not used to reviewing fiction stories so I'll do my best to avoid any spoilers!

A Distant Field was an entertaining read. Following the path of a section of Seaforth Highlanders during the Great War, this book isn't for the faint of heart. However, those willing to bear the gruesome descriptions of the carnage wrought by this conflict will find a cast of likable characters and an interesting story supported by a vast amount of historical detail and research.

In particular, I enjoyed the various backgrounds of the main protagonists. I felt like these characters resembled the patchwork make-up of the British army of the time - full of volunteers, both domestic and foreign, colonials, well-off public school students and worn-down workers. The diversity of characters also allows the author to highlight lesser known aspects of the army, which made for some interesting information to learn. I do wish the characters would have been developed more. I suppose there wasn't that much space to, but at the very least I would have liked to see more of Stuart's thoughts and more of his relationship with his brother.

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The strongest parts of the book were its action scenes and the historical detail. The sinking of the Lusitania, the recounting of the Quintinshill Disaster, and the trenches on Gallipoli were all rendered in horrifyingly descriptive detail. The futility and relentless nature of trench warfare were excellently portrayed, and had me wincing at the brutality. It's one thing to read a detached non-fiction account of World War I, and another entirely to read one like this which, while fictional, epitomizes the violent experiences of the soldiers.

There were a few times where aspects, such as dialogue, seemed a little too modern or where the characters’ knowledge felt too omniscient. These occasions weren’t major distractions though.

Overall, this was a great debut novel. Informative without detracting from the story, readable, and entertaining, I had fun following Stuart and his section's harrowing baptism of fire, and I look forward to their next journey. ...more

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Jan 09, 2019 R.J. MacDonald added it · (Review from the author)

2019 Winner, military fiction category, Independent Press Awards
2019 Gold Medal Award, historical fiction, Military Writers Society of America
2019 Finalist, military category, American Fiction Awards

A Distant Field is my debut novel, the first in a series. It begins with the torpedoing of the RMS Lusitania off the Irish coast in 1915. On board Stuart and Ross McReynolds struggle for their lives as the ship rapidly sinks and only survive thanks to four young Irishmen who row to their rescue. Toge ...more

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Jan 20, 2021 Janet Falczuk rated it liked it

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