Coming Home 1916 By: Edith Wharton (1862-1937)
Coming Home 1916 by Edith Wharton immerses readers in the harrowing realities and profound emotions experienced by soldiers during World War I. This gripping narrative delves deep into the personal turmoil of its characters, highlighting the immense sacrifices made by these brave individuals in the name of duty and honor. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Europe, the novel follows the lives of multiple characters who find themselves caught in a web of patriotism, love, and despair. Wharton's vivid and evocative prose transports readers to the battlefields, where the horrors of war unfold in heart-wrenching detail. Through her meticulous research and masterful storytelling, Wharton conveys the sheer devastation and desolation of the war, leaving a lasting impact on readers. What truly sets Coming Home 1916 apart is Wharton's deep exploration of the emotional consequences endured by those directly affected by the conflict. The author skillfully peels back the layers of her characters, exposing their inner struggles, fears, and frustrations. From the soldiers grappling with survivor's guilt to the families left behind to anxiously await news of their loved ones, Wharton captures the complexities of human emotions during a time of unparalleled hardship. Furthermore, Wharton expertly weaves together various narrative threads, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives. While the central focus remains on the war, the novel also delves into the societal changes taking place during this tumultuous period. Wharton examines the evolving roles of women, the shifting dynamics within families, and the clash of old traditions against the backdrop of a changing world. These additional layers enrich the story, providing a broader understanding of the profound impact war has on society as a whole. One noteworthy aspect of Wharton's work is her ability to craft characters that are both relatable and deeply flawed. Each character possesses their own unique motivations, flaws, and desires, making them feel like real people rather than mere figments of the author's imagination. As a result, readers are able to connect with these characters on a deeply emotional level, experiencing their triumphs and defeats alongside them. Nevertheless, there are moments within the narrative where the pacing feels uneven, causing certain sections to drag. Additionally, some readers might find the numerous perspectives and storylines slightly overwhelming, as they must invest time and effort to keep track of each character's journey. However, these minor flaws do not detract significantly from the overall impact of the book. In conclusion, Coming Home 1916 is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that paints a poignant portrait of the human experience during World War I. Edith Wharton's powerful prose, meticulous research, and empathetic portrayal of her characters make for a compelling read. Despite a couple of pacing issues, this book remains a testament to the enduring impact of war and the courage of those who face it head-on. First Page: COMING HOME By Edith Wharton Copyright, 1916, By Charles Scribner's Sons I The young men of our American Relief Corps are beginning to come back from the front with stories. There was no time to pick them up during the first months the whole business was too wild and grim. The horror has not decreased, but nerves and sight are beginning to be disciplined to it. In the earlier days, moreover, such fragments of experience as one got were torn from their setting like bits of flesh scattered by shrapnel. Now things that seemed disjointed are beginning to link themselves together, and the broken bones of history are rising from the battle fields. I can't say that, in this respect, all the members of the Relief Corps have made the most of their opportunity. Some are unobservant, or perhaps simply inarticulate; others, when going beyond the bald statistics of their job, tend to drop into sentiment and cinema scenes; and none but H. Macy Greer has the gift of making the thing told seem as true as if one had seen it. So it is on H. Macy Greer that I depend, and when his motor dashes him back to Paris for supplies I never fail to hunt him down and coax him to my rooms for dinner and a long cigar. Greer is a small hard muscled youth, with pleasant manners, a sallow face, straight hemp coloured hair and grey eyes of unexpected inwardness... Continue reading book >>

Coming Home 1916 By: Edith Wharton (1862-1937)

Coming Home 1916 by Edith Wharton immerses readers in the harrowing realities and profound emotions experienced by soldiers during World War I. This gripping narrative delves deep into the personal turmoil of its characters, highlighting the immense sacrifices made by these brave individuals in the name of duty and honor.

Set against the backdrop of war-torn Europe, the novel follows the lives of multiple characters who find themselves caught in a web of patriotism, love, and despair. Wharton's vivid and evocative prose transports readers to the battlefields, where the horrors of war unfold in heart-wrenching detail. Through her meticulous research and masterful storytelling, Wharton conveys the sheer devastation and desolation of the war, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

What truly sets Coming Home 1916 apart is Wharton's deep exploration of the emotional consequences endured by those directly affected by the conflict. The author skillfully peels back the layers of her characters, exposing their inner struggles, fears, and frustrations. From the soldiers grappling with survivor's guilt to the families left behind to anxiously await news of their loved ones, Wharton captures the complexities of human emotions during a time of unparalleled hardship.

Furthermore, Wharton expertly weaves together various narrative threads, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives. While the central focus remains on the war, the novel also delves into the societal changes taking place during this tumultuous period. Wharton examines the evolving roles of women, the shifting dynamics within families, and the clash of old traditions against the backdrop of a changing world. These additional layers enrich the story, providing a broader understanding of the profound impact war has on society as a whole.

One noteworthy aspect of Wharton's work is her ability to craft characters that are both relatable and deeply flawed. Each character possesses their own unique motivations, flaws, and desires, making them feel like real people rather than mere figments of the author's imagination. As a result, readers are able to connect with these characters on a deeply emotional level, experiencing their triumphs and defeats alongside them.

Nevertheless, there are moments within the narrative where the pacing feels uneven, causing certain sections to drag. Additionally, some readers might find the numerous perspectives and storylines slightly overwhelming, as they must invest time and effort to keep track of each character's journey. However, these minor flaws do not detract significantly from the overall impact of the book.

In conclusion, Coming Home 1916 is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that paints a poignant portrait of the human experience during World War I. Edith Wharton's powerful prose, meticulous research, and empathetic portrayal of her characters make for a compelling read. Despite a couple of pacing issues, this book remains a testament to the enduring impact of war and the courage of those who face it head-on.

First Page:

COMING HOME

By Edith Wharton

The young men of our American Relief Corps are beginning to come back from the front with stories.

There was no time to pick them up during the first months the whole business was too wild and grim. The horror has not decreased, but nerves and sight are beginning to be disciplined to it. In the earlier days, moreover, such fragments of experience as one got were torn from their setting like bits of flesh scattered by shrapnel. Now things that seemed disjointed are beginning to link themselves together, and the broken bones of history are rising from the battle fields.

I can't say that, in this respect, all the members of the Relief Corps have made the most of their opportunity. Some are unobservant, or perhaps simply inarticulate; others, when going beyond the bald statistics of their job, tend to drop into sentiment and cinema scenes; and none but H. Macy Greer has the gift of making the thing told seem as true as if one had seen it. So it is on H. Macy Greer that I depend, and when his motor dashes him back to Paris for supplies I never fail to hunt him down and coax him to my rooms for dinner and a long cigar.

Greer is a small hard muscled youth, with pleasant manners, a sallow face, straight hemp coloured hair and grey eyes of unexpected inwardness... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Short stories
War stories

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Wikipedia – Edith Wharton
Wikipedia – Coming Home 1916

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