Remembrance Synopsis
From the horror of the trenches, to the devastating reality seen daily by those nursing the wounded, they struggle to survive. Nothing will ever be the same again. Remembrance is a powerful and engrossing novel about love and war, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author Theresa Breslin.
1915 - Scotland. A group of teenagers from two families meet for a summer's picnic, friends despite their social differences. Mostly romance is on their minds, but the peace of the day is shattered by the sound of a plane flying overhead, the war across the Channel is soon to tear them away from such youthful pleasures. All too soon the horror of what is to become known as The Great War engulfs them, their friends and the whole village.
About This Edition
ISBN: |
9780552547383 |
Publication date: |
2nd January 2003 |
Author: |
Theresa Breslin |
Publisher: |
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Format: |
Paperback |
Pagination: |
302 pages |
Suitable For: |
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Other Genres: |
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Recommendations: |
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Theresa Breslin Press Reviews
An immensely readable, passionately written epic, with an involving, fast-moving plot constantly challenging readers assumptions Guardian
Young readers will find themselves swept along with Breslin's engaging cast into a world where duty and compassion must somehow co-exist TES
Breslin brilliantly weaves the themes of emancipation, class, love, propaganda and the machinations of war into the story of how these young lives are changed with a light touch that belies the seriousness of the subject Financial Times
Breslin's light touch and beautiful prose give the harrowing sights and sounds of the war a much more human feel ... A novel that will stay with me for a long time The Bookseller
Theresa Breslin is simply a superb writer and I strongly recommend this novel to all readers Teen Titles
This book about World War I, by award-winning author Theresa Breslin, works on several levels: as a love story, a treatment of equality between the sexes and the conflict between jingoism and pacifism, and a chronological account of the war itself. After rather a slow start, the pace of the novel quickens when the four main characters are drawn into the struggle, the two young women as a munitions worker and a nurse respectively, the two young men as recruits to Kitchener's army, one willing, the other very reluctant. Using the device of letters written to and from the front line, the author gives a detailed and realistic picture of trench warfare in France and Belgium and the conditions in factories and hospitals both in Britain and in France. No detail is deemed too unpleasant - this is strong stuff, although well-known. Less familiar is the theme of women's growing independence, an idea which is dealt with very fully and sympathetically. Maggie Dundas has always worked hard in her father's shop, but when her brother leaves for France she begins to resent the assumption that her place will be at home, behind the counter or in the kitchen. A series of bold decisions changes her life, opens her mind and shows her what she is capable of. Exchanging letters with 'Master' Francis, the young man from the big house in the village, she discusses the horrors they both have to cope with and the futility and waste of war. As the story ends with celebrations of peace, at least one of the couples appears to have a happy future ahead of them, but the overall tone of the book is, quite rightly, sombre. Kirkus UK
About Theresa Breslin
Theresa Breslin is the critically acclaimed author of over 30 books for children and young adults whose work has been filmed for television, broadcast on radio, and is read world-wide in many languages. A respected contributor to professional journals, she is passionate about children’s literature and literacy. She travels extensively, doing research for her books and speaking at international conferences and book festivals.
She won the Carnegie Medal, the UK’s most prestigious award in children’s literature, for Whispers in the Graveyard, her compelling story of a dyslexic boy. Before taking up writing full time Theresa worked as a librarian. Her books range from those for younger readers such as The Magic Factory series to middle readers like Bullies at School and the four Dream Master books - funny time-slip adventures exploring aspects of storytelling. She writes books for children and young adults, with some titles especially suitable for EAL readers. Divided City, exploring themes of prejudice, friendship, citizenship and conflict resolution has been shortlisted for ten book awards, winning the Catalyst Book Award and the RED Book Award. She has a range of historical novels including the The Nostradamus Prophecy and bestselling Remembrance and The Medici Seal, touching on the life of Leonardo da Vinci and shortlisted for the Book Trust Teen Book Prize and the Royal Mail Children’s Book Award. She has also written shorter books - her most popular title being Alligator, published as a play for schools.
More About Theresa Breslin