Official Review: The Wars Among The Paines

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
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MeganDJ
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Re: Official Review: The Wars Among The Paines

Post by MeganDJ »

I'm not the biggest fan of war-torn novels at the moment but it does indeed sound like an incredibly interesting read. I do wonder what secrets he intends to tell his wife. It all sounds quite mysterious! Thank you so much for the honest and insightful review! Happy reading :techie-studyinggray:
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Post by mrlefty0706 »

The Wars Among The Paines, written by John M. Millar, revolves around the appalling ramifications of war, especially its devastating consequences on people's lives. Although the author states that there are parts of the story that resemble his life, the novel is a piece of historical fiction. Millar explores the many ways in which wars impacted several generations of the Paine family.

The main character is Treat Paine (Robert Treat Paine II). At the beginning of the book, we learn that he is happily married and has a two-year-old daughter, Joan Mensch Paine, named after his late baby sister Joan, whom he adored. We also learn that he had not shared with his wife a good part of his past life; she believed that his mother was dead. When the protagonist has to attend his mother's funeral, he decides to come clean because he wants his wife to accompany him. Ellie Schneider, Treat's mother, died after five years in a catatonic state. The whole situation triggers a trip down memory lane as Treat candidly shares his past with his wife. On the road to Menschville to his mother's funeral, he dives into the family saga.

This book is a real page turner for me and I look forward to reading the entire book. The official review was very thorough and well written.
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Ochieng Omuodo
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Post by Ochieng Omuodo »

It seems like those detailed narratives illuminate the historical facts in this book. If that's the case then I would enjoy it.
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Post by lavkathleen »

I'm not really into family drama so I'm going to pass up on this. But if it's as well-written as the reviewer says then I'll happily recommend it to those who are into it and historical fiction.
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Post by Alhiza23 »

I don't like historical book but you mentioned that it has fiction too. Maybe I will try on reading it. Thank you for the great review!
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Post by OB Brian »

Thanks for the informative review. I recently learned one or two things about the influenza pandemic of 1918 from a historical fiction and before that I learned about Sparta and its downfall. The point is this genre is my ''new thing'' because it is not only entertaining but also educative. I look forward to learning some history from this book too. Congrats on being the BOTD.
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Post by Ebubechinwaogazie »

I can totally connect with this review. I can vividly recall when my parents told me of the civil war they experienced. It made me so scared, and i began to imagine how they coped then. War is not something to experience at all. It tears people apart. For several generations of the Paine family to experience war, It must have brought sadness to their lineage. I also loved other segments of the book, such as when the author met his wife, his past with her, and their marriage and family life. Nice review.
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Post by Sophia10 »

Very unmoving story where pains in the wars. Ultimately the review and view of the storytelling is okay.
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Post by B Sheila Holt »

I found myself very interested while reading the sample pages and was really reading each page! I enjoyed the writing style and the flow of the story a lot. Thank you for a great review. You made the story even more enjoyable.
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Post by Magnify3 »

A historical fiction story that tells how war can still affect a family generations later.
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Post by Hames »

The impact of war on a family is a very sensitive topic. This book sounds interesting but I will have to pass it for now. Wonderful review though.
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Post by Victor Jerry I »

I believe no knowledge is a waste hence, it would be an advantage to learn about war experiences, the long term and short term effects of war. Such a nice book to read.
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Post by ObianujuJane »

I felt connected instantly with this book because of the pain I could feel emanating from Treat Paine as he writes to his sister Joan, recanting childhood memories that seemed to have been buried and forgotten since they became estranged.
I also loved how the author John Millar used journal entries to capture the relationship and love life of Treat and his wife Susan
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Post by Francis Aderogbin »

No war has a good after-effects it further. There is nothing compared to peace. Kudos to the reviewer.
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Post by Nikkisails01 »

After reading the introductory few chapters it is clear that this book is skillfully written. We are introduced to the main character Treat, and his family members and wife. Written from the perspective of a Vietnam vet there are several historical references right up front which were informative and interesting. I like the easy, conversation-like format and will most certainly read this book.
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