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A Son at the Front

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A Son at the Front

By: Edith Wharton
Narrated by: Richard Poe
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About this listen

Wharton’s antiwar masterpiece probes the devastation of World War I on the home front.

Inspired by a young man Edith Wharton met during her war relief work in France, A Son at the Front opens in Paris on July 30, 1914, as Europe totters on the brink of war. Expatriate American painter John Campton - whose only son, George, having been born in Paris, must report for duty in the French army - struggles to keep his son away from the front while grappling with the moral implications of his actions.

Interweaving her own experiences of the Great War with themes of parental and filial love, art, and self-sacrifice, national loyalties and class privilege, A Son at the Front is a poignant meditation on art and possession, fidelity and responsibility in which Wharton tells an intimate and captivating story of war behind the lines.

Public Domain (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Genre Fiction Psychological France War Fiction Tear-jerking

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All stars
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I really enjoyed this book such interesting characters very thought provoking and excellently narrated

Unusual story

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as it affected a particular group of American expats in Paris, and to some extent their wider world.. The informed clear sighted view of parents/adult children and the motivations of people in wartime is extraordinary. There were parts where I felt a bit adrift and the story seemed to be overlong, but essentially this is a very thought provoking and intelligent read.

Interesting insight into WW1

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as only Mrs Wharton knows how. human emotions never age, this book could apply to any parent losing an only child.

sublime

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I chose this book because I was between Credits, but would gladly have paid double the amount for it. For me, it is the story of a man’s relationship with his son, and the son’s with him. Exquisitely written by a woman who has obviously experienced Paris during WW1, and is all the more valuable and true since it was written by one who was there. It’s for any Reader with an interest in History or the emotions of human beings.
The Narrator was the perfect choice, with measured tones and varied voices for the different characters. An impeccable performance.
And the Author; what a study of human emotions this is. It should be required reading for pupils studying English at every level.
Utterly fascinating. I highly recommend this book to all, young and old.

A Gem of a Story

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The narrator is good but could not warm to the main character who was selfish and stubborn and without compassion for anyone else. Didn't enjoy.

slow depressing boring

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persevered with this book but found it overly long with an extremely thin plot. characterization taken to extremes but did not paint them well or memorably. if this had been a book I would have been turning back the pages to see who was who. really much ado about nothing and could have been a short story full stop never been so glad to get to an end of a book.

couldn't wait to get to the end

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I don't generally require characters, even MC's to be likeable. However I find it kind of essential in a book like this; one where it pretty much relies on the reader relating to and sympathizing with them. This main character is a hateful, spiteful human being. Sure, there's some development but too little and too late.

Also when you have a character driven novel, you really need to have a decent grasp on the character's emotions, motives, intentions etc... This book though is very surface level and at times where you might think it perfect for some introspection, the entire thing is just skipped over!
There is an emotional distance and disconnect the entire why through.

I don't have even the tiniest bit of care for any of the wooden characters and what happens to them. I can't think of a single good thing to say about this book. It's not written well. There's nothing new or creative to say. Nothing to make you think. Boring, basic plot. And as I mentioned, the characters are just awful.

A Son at the Front

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