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There are currently 22 member reviews
for So Much Life Left Over
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Marianne L. (Syosset, NY)
So Much Life Left Over by Louis DeBernieres
Having returned home physically intact after WWI, Daniel Pitt, his brother and war cronies face the inevitable struggle to live meaningful lives amid the delicacy and propriety of ordinary English life. Set in Kent and Ceylon, the ravages of war blunt their vision as we are given entre into their struggle and that of the lives of those they love. The author's writing style is interesting, short chapters that at times can feel like vignettes encircling the main character's plot line. He occasionally uses a writing strategy reminiscent of Julie Otsuka in The Buddha in the Attic, where he names, in short phrases, multiple experiences of an event allowing the reader to understand various points of view. I liked the book for its intensity below the surface and humanly flawed characters. A very enjoyable read!
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Nona F. (Evanston, IL)
"Not being at war never felt quite right."
There is such a pervasive sense of melancholy, regret and lack of purpose in this novel, that I found it hard to continue reading at times. The characterization is excellent-- even minor characters are well delineated, and the multiple narrator structure is very successful. Characters are living their lives, but it is as if their vital spark died in 1918 even if they did not. The narrative centers on the saintly sinner Daniel Pitt, a WWI flying ace, whose long ranging motorcycle rides become a metaphor for his years-long journey toward fulfillment. As one of the minor characters comments, "Not being at war never felt quite right." Good focused portrait of Britain, its Empire, and Germany between the two world wars.
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Cynthia C. (Chula Vista, CA)
Coping with the World
I loved the title, and found applications for today's soldiers and nurses as they try to cope with life after battle...and PTS. This quote on p. 1 sets the tenor for the book: "There is a kind of man who, having been at war, finds peacetime intolerable...he hates the feeling that what he is doing is not important." This idea plays out through the novel, which is both witty and heartfelt. The settings are important characters in the book too, be it Ceylon, Pakistan, or England. All these settings reflect recovery from WWI and progress in every area of industry. The families try to adjust to these changing times, as the novel edges into WWII. The 4 McCosh sisters and their childhood friends lead the plot lines and themes of fidelity, fertility, the Empire, belief systems, and parental love. The book is very readable but the breadth of all the characters' experiences comes at the expense of depth. Told in brief chapters (50 in total), with various voices in each one, the story for me was not as continuous or chronological as I wanted it to be. I am not a fan of the ending.
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Lee M. (Creve Coeur, MO)
Without War
How great to find a wonderful, new to me, author to enjoy. Such crisp unexpected humor meshes into the story of the lives of a group of friends, all survivors of The Great War. The author covers a unique time period, 1918 to the 1940's and the after effect the war has on their lives and those of their loved ones. A deep, and moving account of soldiers in peacetime.
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Ellie
So Much Time Left Over
The writing in the first chapter drew me in immediately. I was not surprised as I fell in love with Louis De Berniere’s writing after reading “Corelli’s Mandolin” and “Birds Without Wings.”
“So Much Time Left Over” has all the elements of a good character driven story told in the author’s wonderful writing. I think the characters really came alive for me in the second half of the book, probably because by then I had decided which ones I cared about the most, and I wanted to know the rest of the story.
My favorite books are about well developed characters who are different than me and who have had different experiences than i’ve had. I know it has become a cliche, but I often come to the conclusion we are more alike than different. A good author understands human nature and can get that message across.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read the advance copy of this book. Receiving a print copy was a real treat. It is my favorite way to read.
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Julie G. (West Hartford, CT)
So much life left over
I found the book an easy read - characters were well developed and I liked the way the author tied them together. Overall, however, the book did not make a lasting impression on me; flipping back through I am remembering enjoying it, but when I originally finished it I promptly forgot it and moved on to my next book.
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Ann W. (New York, NY)
The empires that could not stand
This novel irritated and annoyed me as a reader. I completed it as some of the characters were intriguing. Apparently, De Bernieres has used his characters in other novels so there are back stories. War does many things. However, in the first chapter, De Bernieres write that" (they) missed the extremes of experience that made them feel intensely alive," despite the shadow of death. This makes many characters shallow and understates the reality of the World War I, colonialism, be it British, French or American. Women's issues are given short shift except for absurd use of Daniel as a sperm donor. Gender, sexuality, class differences and racism are given short shrift.
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