Told in a deeply personal and unforgettable voice, this novel follows the life of Thomas 'Tommo' Peaceful, a young soldier in the trenches of World War I. The story unfolds as a continuous, internal monologue told hour-by-hour over the course of a single, agonizing night. Tommo, looking back on his short life, reflects on his childhood in rural Devon, full of warmth, hardship, and the unbreakable bond he shared with his older brother, Charlie, and the girl they both loved, Molly. Their close relationship is defined by a shared tragedy and the protective role Charlie always played. The narrative shifts seamlessly between the idyllic memories of home and the horrifying, brutal reality of trench warfare in Flanders. As the hours tick down towards dawn, the reader slowly realizes that Tommo is recounting his life because he is facing a devastating moral crisis and an irreversible decision that must be made at sunrise concerning Charlie. This powerful, anti-war novel is a heartbreaking meditation on brotherhood, love, the loss of innocence, and the profound injustice faced by many young men serving in the Great War.
