Prose. A deeply introspective novel about the silent experiences and fractured memories of war. Winner of the Man Booker Prize.

A grisly dark and tragic story or romance, war, weakness and greatness. Not a light cookie with a cup of tea. The very best of writing itself, and an experience to read.

A wonderful book, at its core a love story, but also describes life in a WW2 prisoner of war camp (Thailand). Painful to read at times. Gets inside the head of the prisoners and guards. Frequently poetic. This is the second read for me. I appreciated it more the second time.

Perhaps one of the most powerful books I have ever read. An immersive experience. You will be emotionally drawn into the story probably against your will. Not for the squeamish though.

Did not finish

Not sure why this author is so "celebrated" and wins so many awards. Because he's from Tasmania, therefore "exotic" and unusual? This was the second book of his I tried to read...I say "tried" because I just couldn't stick with it, ended up giving up after less than 50 pages. I thought I'd give this a try, being about a subject that has always fascinated me, POWs and how WWII had so many things that could have easily been called "war crimes". Yet only one side ever seemed to get called to account for it, as always. But this...I have to agree with at least one other person here...pretentious and over-written doesn't even begin to describe it. Cormac McCarthy clones are a dime a dozen it seems, and very few can pull it off. Including this guy, in my opinion anyhow.

Did not enjoy this book at all. Found it overwritten, pretentious and the descriptions of the woman just comical, maybe because I don' t have wondrous nipples. The protagonist, DorrIgo Evans stumps around like a YA hero. Enough said, just simply bad

I enjoyed the book but not more than 3.5 stars. The biggest shortcoming was the main character. Without giving too much away, he's a tortured soul without a good reason. He leads an easier life than almost any other character. In fact, several characters are more interesting and more compelling than the protagonist, which is definitely a flaw in a book that's otherwise pretty good.

I am a book connosieur and this is one of the best books I have ever read! An historical fiction about the Burma Thai death railway, but so much more! Complex details of lives on both sides of the POW Japanese camps, the Australian prisoners, the Japanese guards, a mesmerizing book I didn't want to end :(

The first 7-10 pages of the book are a bit confusing. But then - in the book there are "Love in the Time of Cholera", and the unbearable suffering of people in captivity, and description about capability of human been endure all the suffering. Thoughts about the senselessness of suffering, the search for justification of crimes with the sense of duty, loyalty to conjugal life, a passion, and that, in the end, everything and everyone will go into oblivion. An impressive book.