Our Soldier Boy By: George Manville Fenn (1831-1909)
Our Soldier Boy by George Manville Fenn is a captivating and poignant tale set during the Crimean War. It follows the story of Bertie Royal, a young boy who joins the army in search of adventure and glory. The book expertly explores the reality of war and its impact on individuals and families. One of the strengths of Our Soldier Boy is the way Fenn portrays the characters. Bertie is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, filled with youthful optimism and enthusiasm that quickly turns into fear and despair as he faces the brutal realities of war. Fenn's characterization makes it easy to emotionally invest in Bertie's journey, making his triumphs and tragedies deeply affecting. The setting of the Crimean War is vividly depicted, and Fenn's attention to historical detail adds to the authenticity of the narrative. It is clear that the author has done extensive research, capturing the chaos and horrors of war with clarity and realism. The reader is transported to the desolate, mud-soaked trenches, feeling the biting cold and hunger alongside the characters. This immersive experience allows for a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the devastating consequences of conflict. In terms of writing style, Fenn's prose is straightforward and accessible, making it suitable for readers of different ages. The pacing is well-paced, with the action and tension building steadily throughout. While some may find the book's focus on war and its grim realities heavy at times, Fenn balances this with moments of hope and resilience. He also touches on themes such as loyalty, friendship, and the power of family, creating a layered and thoughtful narrative. One minor flaw of Our Soldier Boy is the lack of depth given to certain supporting characters. While Bertie's development is fully explored, some of the secondary characters remain somewhat underdeveloped. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact of the story. In conclusion, Our Soldier Boy is a compelling historical novel that beautifully captures the spirit of courage and sacrifice during wartime. With its relatable characters, vivid setting, and powerful storytelling, George Manville Fenn paints a poignant portrait of the human experience in the face of adversity. Readers who enjoy historical fiction or are interested in learning more about the Crimean War will find this book to be a rewarding and thought-provoking read. First Page: Our Soldier Boy, by George Manville Fenn. Well, this certainly is a departure from the usual Fenn style. Suspense as always there certainly is, but the intended audience is much younger than his usual teenager one. The date is the Peninsular War, in Portugal. A British family of merchants in Portugal are unaware of the intensity of the nearby fighting in the vicinity. They are at their country home, and go out for a few minutes, leaving their eight year old son with the servants. The French attack, slay the servants, and leave the child with a severe injury to the head. Later the 200th Fusiliers come by, and the corporal sees the villa, and goes up there to see if he can get anything useful for his men to eat. He sees the slain servants, and comes across the little boy, whom he carries back to his wife, to see if she can bring him round. The boy does recover, becomes the mascot of the regiment, and eventually after a battle with the French, heroically rescues the Colonel himself. The boy comes to believe that the corporal and his wife are his real parents. Months go by, while the boy, who does not have the faintest memory of his real father and mother, becomes more and more the favourite of the Regiment... Continue reading book >>

Our Soldier Boy By: George Manville Fenn (1831-1909)

Our Soldier Boy by George Manville Fenn is a captivating and poignant tale set during the Crimean War. It follows the story of Bertie Royal, a young boy who joins the army in search of adventure and glory. The book expertly explores the reality of war and its impact on individuals and families.

One of the strengths of Our Soldier Boy is the way Fenn portrays the characters. Bertie is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, filled with youthful optimism and enthusiasm that quickly turns into fear and despair as he faces the brutal realities of war. Fenn's characterization makes it easy to emotionally invest in Bertie's journey, making his triumphs and tragedies deeply affecting.

The setting of the Crimean War is vividly depicted, and Fenn's attention to historical detail adds to the authenticity of the narrative. It is clear that the author has done extensive research, capturing the chaos and horrors of war with clarity and realism. The reader is transported to the desolate, mud-soaked trenches, feeling the biting cold and hunger alongside the characters. This immersive experience allows for a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the devastating consequences of conflict.

In terms of writing style, Fenn's prose is straightforward and accessible, making it suitable for readers of different ages. The pacing is well-paced, with the action and tension building steadily throughout. While some may find the book's focus on war and its grim realities heavy at times, Fenn balances this with moments of hope and resilience. He also touches on themes such as loyalty, friendship, and the power of family, creating a layered and thoughtful narrative.

One minor flaw of Our Soldier Boy is the lack of depth given to certain supporting characters. While Bertie's development is fully explored, some of the secondary characters remain somewhat underdeveloped. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact of the story.

In conclusion, Our Soldier Boy is a compelling historical novel that beautifully captures the spirit of courage and sacrifice during wartime. With its relatable characters, vivid setting, and powerful storytelling, George Manville Fenn paints a poignant portrait of the human experience in the face of adversity. Readers who enjoy historical fiction or are interested in learning more about the Crimean War will find this book to be a rewarding and thought-provoking read.

First Page:

Our Soldier Boy, by George Manville Fenn.

Well, this certainly is a departure from the usual Fenn style. Suspense as always there certainly is, but the intended audience is much younger than his usual teenager one.

The date is the Peninsular War, in Portugal.

A British family of merchants in Portugal are unaware of the intensity of the nearby fighting in the vicinity. They are at their country home, and go out for a few minutes, leaving their eight year old son with the servants. The French attack, slay the servants, and leave the child with a severe injury to the head.

Later the 200th Fusiliers come by, and the corporal sees the villa, and goes up there to see if he can get anything useful for his men to eat. He sees the slain servants, and comes across the little boy, whom he carries back to his wife, to see if she can bring him round.

The boy does recover, becomes the mascot of the regiment, and eventually after a battle with the French, heroically rescues the Colonel himself.

The boy comes to believe that the corporal and his wife are his real parents.

Months go by, while the boy, who does not have the faintest memory of his real father and mother, becomes more and more the favourite of the Regiment... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Kids
Fiction
Teen/Young adult
War stories

eBook links
Wikipedia – George Manville Fenn
Wikipedia – Our Soldier Boy

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