Saturday 16 May 2020


Vainradical review of Along Came A Soldier


Along Came a Soldier is the historical fiction novel, set in 1820 Cornwall, and tells the story of Charity – who after her mother dies, becomes the homemaker for her family. Her father is unwell, and her brother is the only one bringing in an income. Life is hard, and there’s not enough to go around. They have to decide between paying for their dad’s medication and the rent… and if they make the wrong choice, someone will suffer. Even though this is set in the past, there are timeless issues, making this very relatable. Add in a forbidden romance, forced to be kept a secret due to family feuds, and we have a lot of tension right from the beginning.
Written in 3rd person, with multiple narrators, this book is a bit of a slow burn in that its pacing is carefully calculated, but everything given turns the temperature up, until it starts to boil over. We see this especially in Henry, the soldier’s story. He returns to his childhood home fifteen years after joining the army and has severe PTSD. He’s hallucinating, and in his first chapter we watch him cut his own finger off. He’s suffering, but due to fear of being frog marched back to the military, remains just outside the town. It’s heartbreaking, but immediately creates a level of horror that shows how fearless the author is. We also see this in Jethro’s arc. The first time we meet him, his drunk father strangles him until he blacks out, to assert dominance, and then when he wakes up, Jethro goes to terrorize Charity’s town. He attacks someone and funnels his anger into those who have actively done nothing to him, but now despise him. Everything against him is due to his father, but through actions, others believe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Again, heartbreaking. Throughout this novel we see spirals, and people who feel helpless through situation, but slowly try to better themselves, despite the world they live in. If this is the story of the dark side of life, its also a tale of hope, and of love, making it uplifting just as much as it’s dismal. I adored this juxtaposition, and it made me fall for the story very quickly. In her first chapter, I felt for Charity, and was reminded of another novel I’ve read recently where the MC felt stuck due to needing to support his family. He wanted his own life, but also didn’t want to let anyone down… I feel Charity is in this same difficult spot. In her second chapter, where she’s speaking to her 18-year-old brother who is presented as being young for his age, I felt even worse for her. He begs her to promise that if she ever leaves, she’ll take him with her, concreting her position. In Jethro’s first chapter, as I said, he’s assaulted, and then attacks someone else. Before all of that, he was thinking about having to wait three years until he can escape with his brother. He doesn’t think he’ll make it that long but must. Again, feelings of being trapped, alone, and responsible. Henry, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily trapped by society. He is, in that he’s bound to the army, but his prison is his own head. He’s a very sick man, who runs to the last place he felt safe, but life moved on without him. In a parallel to something people even experience today when they’ve gone through something soul destroying and life changing, the world doesn’t know how to empathize with them, and they don’t know how to slot back in. It’s tough, as often they’re victims, but in 1820, mental illness wasn’t understood, so no help was available. Today, he’d get the care he needs, but those social issues would still be there. Again, feelings of helplessness, isolation, and no foreseeable change. It’s hard, uncomfortable, and forces the reader to look at the underbelly of life, before glimmers of good can shine in. By also creating relatability, the reader can immediately have character investment begin to grow. I’ve only mentioned four chapters, and it was from then I truly needed every single person to succeed. To create those feelings so rapidly shows skill, and to continue the arcs in appealing, satisfying ways highlights the careful, well crafted planning that’s gone into this novel. The trifecta is the background. The historical aspects are wonderfully researched, presented, and allow the reader to become fully engrossed. I loved the storytelling, and the more I read, the more I adore stunning historical fictions. This is one of them. Add mental health, one of my top subjects, and you have something I feel is magical.
Of course, this is also a love story, and one of family dynamics, and being more than our lots in life. It’s full of hope, even in despair, and as I said, is exquisitely satisfying in its delivery. If you enjoy a story that’ll break your heart, and then piece it back together, then this is a book for you. Equally, if you love forbidden romances, this is a fantastic example of it done right, and not relying on unhealthy relationships to get the story across. Thirdly, fans of great historical novels, totally in their setting, and presented beautifully, will totally fall for this.
I read this novel pretty slowly for me, relishing in its delivery. I think I took a few days, starting and stopping, really taking my time. It’s an emotionally intense novel, showing all these versions of loneliness, but it’s also light, and I felt good after my time with it. It’s not a heavy novel per say, but not afraid to be ugly when necessary. It’s a wonderful mix, and truthfully, I’d happily reread this. If that’s not a reason to check this out, I don’t know what is.
All in all, Along Came A Soldier is the story of becoming more than what life has given you and working to change opinions. It’s about life, about existing, and shows that no matter when something is set, the human mind and all we go through, is beyond time. A great novel, and one I highly recommend you add to your TBR.

I love this review because this reader really gets my book and unfortunately that is not happening often enough. My book is dark and distrubing at times and I've had readers dislike it because of that. I know it's not for everyone and reaching readers of historical suspense who don't mind violence and murder is proving to be hard, so when I find a review that takes on board everything I tried to convey, I'm going to keep it. Thank you Radzy.

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