The Wars was filled with a vivid picture of the harsh realities of war, told through the eyes of a Canadian soldier. Not only do we the reader experience how the war affects the soldier’s life, but how his family and friends were affected to. Findley was able to fill the novel with vivid images and storytelling of what a soldier went through at the front lines of World War I. There wasn’t a lyrical style of writing, but there was something compelling about Findley’s writing that was able to pull me into the novel and unable to put the novel down.

The story is told, differently then I expected having an historian searching through archives and recordings by Ross or those who knew him, accounting on him, his personality as well as what he had went through. This made Robert Ross seem far more real and believable of a character, because it we were able to see him through different perspectives. I also liked how Findley didn’t romanticize the war, but instead attempted to shock readers with the harsh realities of war. Of mud, lice, fleas and comrades dying inches away, Findley is able to paint the ugly picture of war, with his beautiful style of writing. As well as create characters who stick with you once you closed the books pages. It’s a a story well worth reading and adding to any literary fan’s book collection.

Review also on my blog: http://juliebooks.blogspot.com/2009/0... ( )

As someone who does not like Timothy Findley’s overwritten and oh-so-clever prose, I can say that The Wars are indeed a good read- brilliant at moments. All Quiet on the Western Front and Three Day Road still remain unsurpassed when it comes to Great War novels if you ask me. ( )

One of my favourite Findley books. ( )

A harsh and provocative look at WWI ( )

Enjoyed the writing style in this book a lot more than in pilgram. Story starts off pretty slow and gets more and more interesting as life in the war is described. The whole thing is a bit disjointed but was well worth the read. ( )