Author:Väinö Linna,Liesl Yamaguchi
'There they stood, bumbling into lines with a bit of difficulty: Mother Finland's chosen sacrifice to world history'
Unknown Soldiers follows the fates of a ramshackle troupe of machine-gunners in the Second World War, as they argue, joke, swear, cadge a loaf of bread or a cigarette, combat both boredom and horror in the swamps and pine forests - and discover that war will make or break them. One of Finland's best-loved books, this gritty and unromantic depiction of battle honours the dogged determination of a country and the bonds of brotherhood forged between men at war, as they fight for their lives.
'A rediscovered classic... profound and enriching ... Unknown Soldiers still has the power to shock' Herald
One of the best war novels ever written
—— GuardianA magnificent novel, tonally flawless, its humour defiant in the face of vast tragedy.
—— Joan London, author of GILGAMESH, THE GOOD PARENTS and THE GOLDEN AGEDramatic, compassionate and deeply moving.
—— Jennifer Clement, author of award-winning novel PRAYERS FOR THE STOLENPowerful
—— Mail on SundayA riveting and high-spirited journey from the brink of death toward life...With courage, humor, and unfailing emotional honesty, Peter Gardos illuminates the incredible power of the human will.
—— Julie OrringerThe impossibly moving story of two damaged youths who forge from their amour fou a love that will light the decades ahead. With playfulness and charm, with iron conviction, Fever at Dawn will convince you that it’s possible not only to survive the worst of human hell, but to transcend it.
—— Francisco Goldman, author of SAY HER NAMEBooks don’t make me cry. Fever At Dawn did. Drawing you in with pathos and playful wit, it squeezes the heart with sorrow and leaves it expanded with joy and love.
—— Gabor Maté M.D., author of IN THE REALM OF HUNGRY GHOSTSPoignant, uplifting, tender, affectionate
—— Daily ExpressTenderly uplifting
—— Good HousekeepingAbsorbing . . . a touching account of a strange courtship
—— The Sydney Morning HeraldTenderly humorous. Vital and enjoyable
—— The AustralianDeeply moving...there is little in this story of the horrors of Belsen and forced labour on starvation rations, and much of friendship, determined persistence and transcendent love.
—— Otago Daily TimesWill make you like life more when you've finished
—— The BooksellerThis is a novel suffused with warmth and humour as it follows the threads of love and family ties. It is a pleasure to follow these characters through the tumultuous times in which they live… a well-told and engrossing story, bringing back to life a generation who are slipping from our collective memory.
—— Kate Slotover , RiddleDarkly funny yet moving debut.
—— ShortlistA “serious” novel that is genuinely and frequently funny.
—— Andrew Irwin , The Times Literary SupplementThis debut novel from Jesse Armstrong…is every bit as funny and cringe-inducing as the sitcoms he made his name writing.
—— Charlotte Ellis , Shortlistone of the year’s funniest books.
—— Yasmin Sulaiman , Listbrilliantly funny… the dialogue and the characters are fantastic.
—— Tom Basden , MetroIt’s hard for me to believe that this amazing, touching book is a debut novel. Absolutely recommend and already on the run for a spot in my top 10.
—— www.thebooksmugglers.comIt is a powerful read; you can almost see the endless mud of the trenches, and sense the fear of those young men.
—— pagesandteablog.wordpress.comAnna Hope wove her spell and managed to conjure up an intriguing tale, quite rich with emotion that held me entranced until the last page. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
—— lynnsbooks.wordpress.comWake is a brilliant debut novel, deeply moving, well-plotted and engrossing.
—— http://ourbookreviewsonline.blogspot.co.ukThis is such a brilliant book; one that is both beautifully written and emotionally involving, with a fascinating plot and wonderful characters who pluck at your heartstrings on every page.
—— http://bookssnob.wordpress.comI have no doubt that Wake is going to be included in my Top Ten books of 2014, I know that it's only January, but this is a book that has had a huge effect on me.
—— randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.co.ukThe only regret I have is that I didn’t read this book sooner. WAKE is luxury. Pure luxury.
—— http://missmoretalks.wordpress.comShe manages to capture every single detail, every emotion and every sound.
—— http://lauraslittlebookblog.blogspot.co.ukWake is that rare and beautiful thing: a first novel that sings with such power and grace that it lifts itself effortlessly from the pack. Powerful, passionate, compassionate, it marks the rising of a new star in the literary firmament. Anna Hope is here to stay.
—— M.C. Scott - Author of Rome and chair of the Historical Writers AssociationIntricately researched and beautifully written, with the kind of restrained yet emotional prose one expects from a seasoned author. Its characters, too, have a depth and quiet tragedy one rarely finds in debut fiction. In this centenary year commemorating the outbreak of war, there've been many novels about the conflict:Wake is without doubt one of the best.
—— Hannah Beckerman - Huffington PostA masterclass in historical fiction
—— ObserverImpressive ... A heart-breaking tale of grief and guilt
—— Psychologies Magazine