'War and Remembrance' by Herman Wouk is a gripping historical fiction novel that serves as a sequel to 'The Winds of War'. Spanning the years of World War II, the book follows the Henry family as they navigate the tumultuous events of the war, from the Battle of Midway to the horrors of the Holocaust. Through intertwining storylines, the author successfully provides a human face to the global conflict, capturing the epic scale of war akin to 'War and Peace'. Despite its length, the book immerses readers in the experiences of characters facing harrowing challenges and decisions, ultimately aiming to render the atrocities of war unthinkable.

Characters:

The characters tend to be simplistic and serve the plot more than develop independently, often illustrating broader themes of war.

Writing/Prose:

Wouk employs an omniscient narrative style, blending detailed descriptions with character perspectives while sometimes delving into lengthy historical explanations.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative chronicles World War II through the experiences of the Henry family while intertwining with actual historical events.

Setting:

The setting spans key locations and events of World War II, reflecting the historical context and emotional landscape of the era.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a slower buildup that sometimes abruptly shifts focus, leading to a rushed conclusion.

ALIBERTY boat full of sleepy hung-over sailors came clanging alongside the U.S.S. Northampton, and a stocky captain in dress whites jumped out to the accommodation ladder. The heavy cruiser, its gray ...

Notes:

War and Remembrance is a sequel to The Winds of War.

The two novels cover World War II from 1938 to 1945.

Together, they amount to about 2300 pages of reading.

Herman Wouk uses a third person omniscient point of view in his storytelling.

The storylines involve both fictional characters and actual historical figures.

The narrative is primarily chronological but jumps between characters frequently.

The Holocaust perspective is central to the emotional impact of the story.

Some readers found the character development flat or one-dimensional.

The writing sometimes mixes historical accuracy with fictional embellishment, such as in the Leyte Gulf scene.

The audio version narrated by Kevin Pariseau adds depth to the characters.

Many readers found the Holocaust chapters to be particularly powerful and gut-wrenching.

The series has been praised for making complex historical events accessible to readers.

Both books explore the personal and grand scales of war, blending family drama with epic battles.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The content includes high levels of graphic descriptions related to the Holocaust, war violence, and trauma.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate presence of romance within the narrative, intertwined with family and personal conflicts.

From The Publisher:

A masterpiece of historical fiction and "a journey of extraordinary riches" (New York Times Book Review), War and Remembrance stands as perhaps the great novel of America's "Greatest Generation."

These two classic works capture the tide of world events even as they unfold the compelling tale of a single American family drawn into the very center of the war's maelstrom.

Ratings (11)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (24):

Read It (11)
Want To Read (8)
Not Interested (5)

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