"Berezina " Topic

"December 1840 – When Napoleon's ashes are returned to Paris for reinterment in Les Invalides, Cornelius Spijker is reminded of a battle he's spent his life trying to forget. But as the crowds cheer the rebirth of a legend, he is forced to confront the brutal realities of his past.

November 1812 – In the final stages of the retreat from Moscow, soldiers from Europe's least martial nation must build a bridge across the near impassable River Berezina. With little by way of equipment and material, it's an almost impossible task, but if they fail, final annihilation awaits the remnants of Napoleon's once mighty Grande Armée and the thousands of women and children who follow in its wake.

In the struggle to survive, three Dutchmen play very different roles – Spijker, risking his life and sanity to build the vital bridges; Piet Kral, a war weary veteran who, despite his best efforts, cannot escape the call to arms; and Guido Demelle, a ruthless careerist who will stop at nothing to achieve his own ends"

link

See here
link

Anyone have read this book?
If the answer is yes… comments please?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Amicalement
Armand

Europe's least martial nation? Do they really mean the "Dutch" (ie Netherlanders?)

"While the travel brochures entailed no actual travel, writing about places he'd never seen certainly paved the way for a serious foray into fiction. Once he made the leap from describing the adrenalin-pumping thrill of a jeep safari he hadn't been on, or the sound of waves lapping the shores of an exotic beach he could only dream about, it was a hop, skip and a jump back in time to his favourite period in history, the Napoleonic era"

Why bother to read fiction in case there is the splendid book by Mikaberidze about the Beresina crossing

Thanks, vonW!

Tango01

Good spot. But I can't believe people are suggesting you must not read a novel because there is a non-fiction account about the battle? How absurd!

And an author does not have to experience what he writes about to create a good novel. For a start, I'm pretty sure Bernard Cornwall, author of the Sharpe series had not fought in the Napoleonic period, and, as far as I am aware, had no other military experience. The same with Stephen Crane, author of A Red Badge Of Courage, the much famed American Civil War novel. I don't think he had any military or combat experience at the time of writing that particular novel.

And, although I have the memoir of the subject of this forthcoming 1812 novel, plus numerous 1812 non-fiction titles and memoirs, I will still buy it.

link

A good novel is a good novel, despite who the author is or what he or she had experienced. But the proof, concerning this title, will be in the reading. And I do hope they plan to bring out a printed version?

Oops! I thought the Berezina book was a new novel or one forthcoming, but it seems it has been available since 2014. Anyway, I just checked it out on Amazon, and the reviews seems pretty good, mainly 5 stars. But sadly, still no sign of a printed version, so, unless things change, it is a no goer for little old Luddite me.

I really enjoyed history novels… specially Napoleon ones which are not many as other Eras…

Amicalement
Armand

I did not come across any historical novels which is as exciting as the eye witness accounts or memoires etc.

The best novel so far – still Erckman and Chatrian

Tamgo01

Yes, I also enjoy historical novels, mostly covering the Roman and Napoleonic periods. But reading novels is a different kind of reading. Novels are meant to entertain while first hand accounts and memoirs are meant to recall.

But luckily for us, some memoirs are equally as entertaining and exciting, but I think it is really foolish if anyone attempted to compare them, since they are both of different genres.

Sobre gustos… no hay nada escrito… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

usted es un filósofo , verdaderamente

(grin)

Liam (the Paddy)

Bien dicho mi buen amigazo!… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand