Official Review: Daffodils by Alex Martin

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 06 Apr 2019, 12:26

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Daffodils" by Alex Martin.]

3 out of 4 stars

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It was called the war to end all wars. However, it is now called World War I because there was a second one. Those slaughtered in the trenches, fighting over a few yards of land, seemingly died for nothing. Their families lost a son, a husband, or a brother to a stray bullet or a grenade. They neither gained nor lost enough ground to matter, and war did not end. The question is, what did they die for?

These ideas are explored in Alex Martin’s book Daffodils. The book itself starts a little before the beginning of the war and continues until the war is over. The main character, Katy, lives in a sleepy village in England. She works as a domestic servant, though she longs for adventure and loves to read. The opening of this book has Katy sitting “on the topmost step of the library ladder, completely absorbed in a book". The opening line gives a great sense of the rest of the book. The language is simple but descriptive enough to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. The language used is powerful, especially in later scenes that describe the atrocities of war.

As the story progresses, Katy finds herself married to Jem. He is a man she had known since childhood. He is a loyal and faithful husband. However, the two of them face incredible suffering during their marriage, and Jem volunteers to go fight in the war. He leaves a grief-stricken Katy behind as he goes to prove his worth in a worthless fight in the trenches.

The emotions explored in the book, such as grief and forgiveness, add a layer of depth to this novel that makes it truly meaningful. The story focuses on Katy dealing with Jem being away. Katy also spends a great deal of time trying to figure out her place in the world. The multiple storylines weaving together create a sense of reality. None of the characters were perfect, and they all faced mundane struggles along with the terrible circumstances of war. This was my favorite part of the novel.

The only part I disliked about this novel was the many grammatical issues I noticed. The issues were, for the most part, missing commas. The main character’s name did switch from “Katy” to “Katie” a few times as well.

I award this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It pains me to have to take away a star, but the grammatical issues are forcing my hand. I wish I could give it a perfect rating. This book was beautiful and moving, and I would recommend it to anyone fifteen or older. It’s a wonderful read. However, there are some descriptions of blood and injury. It’s a little gory at times, though there is nothing too graphic. If blood really bothers you, then avoid this one. Other than that, I highly recommend this book.

******
Daffodils
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Crazyreader01 · Post by **Crazyreader01** » 12 Apr 2019, 13:50

This sounds like a brilliant, emotional read. I really like that it explores the worth of all those deaths in the first world war. That isn't anything I'd ever thought about so I'm really intrigued. Thanks for the review!

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 12 Apr 2019, 14:03

Crazyreader01 wrote: ↑12 Apr 2019, 13:50 This sounds like a brilliant, emotional read. I really like that it explores the worth of all those deaths in the first world war. That isn't anything I'd ever thought about so I'm really intrigued. Thanks for the review!

It's definitely worth reading! Thanks for commenting.

mledmonds · Post by **mledmonds** » 12 Apr 2019, 14:11

This sounds like a book I need to read. I like historical novels with characters that give insight into the era in which they lived. Thanks for the review.

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 12 Apr 2019, 15:26

mledmonds wrote: ↑12 Apr 2019, 14:11 This sounds like a book I need to read. I like historical novels with characters that give insight into the era in which they lived. Thanks for the review.

It's an amazing read. If you do end up reading, I hope you enjoy it!

Ellylion · Post by **Ellylion** » 12 Apr 2019, 15:39

Sounds like a very interesting and informative read to those interested in historical fiction. I like that the book also explores such fundamental emotions and shows this particular period of mankind history. Lest we forget. Great review!

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 12 Apr 2019, 15:59

Ellylion wrote: ↑12 Apr 2019, 15:39 Sounds like a very interesting and informative read to those interested in historical fiction. I like that the book also explores such fundamental emotions and shows this particular period of mankind history. Lest we forget. Great review!

I think it had a balanced view of war and the emotions associated with it.

Post by **Radiant3** » 12 Apr 2019, 16:48

This seems like a well-written book with great emotional depth. Thank you for the great review.

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 12 Apr 2019, 16:49

Radiant3 wrote: ↑12 Apr 2019, 16:48 This seems like a well-written book with great emotional depth. Thank you for the great review.

Thanks for commenting!

ReneeBrown · Post by **ReneeBrown** » 13 Apr 2019, 01:44

I love this review. It really gives me an idea of how this book will be. I am interested in books with war as the back drop so I think I might check this out.

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 13 Apr 2019, 05:45

reneelu1998 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2019, 01:44 I love this review. It really gives me an idea of how this book will be. I am interested in books with war as the back drop so I think I might check this out.

I hope you do read it!

Janelle Juncos · Post by **Janelle Juncos** » 13 Apr 2019, 07:25

This sounds like a winner. The title and cover art remind me of the John Mcrae poem, "Flanders Fields," which is what they called the WWI battlefields in a certain area of England. I wonder if that was the author's intent?

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below"
-John Mcrae

Thanks for the review!

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 13 Apr 2019, 08:48

Janelle Juncos wrote: ↑13 Apr 2019, 07:25 This sounds like a winner. The title and cover art remind me of the John Mcrae poem, "Flanders Fields," which is what they called the WWI battlefields in a certain area of England. I wonder if that was the author's intent?

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below"
-John Mcrae

Thanks for the review!

I don't know of that was the author's intent or not, but that poem does fit well with the book.

janelwhite · Post by **janelwhite** » 13 Apr 2019, 12:53

This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I appreciate an author who can write with emotion. Katy is intriguing. I love that you found the opening of the book of importance. I find that if I’m not grabbed by the first line I eventually find the book lacking. I will put this on my want to read list.

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 13 Apr 2019, 13:44

janelwhite wrote: ↑13 Apr 2019, 12:53 This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I appreciate an author who can write with emotion. Katy is intriguing. I love that you found the opening of the book of importance. I find that if I’m not grabbed by the first line I eventually find the book lacking. I will put this on my want to read list.

I hope you get around to reading it!