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Raw Material

Autor*innen

Alan Sillitoe

Buchbewertung

5,0(1)Abgeben

Parameter

190 Seiten
7 Lesestunden

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This fusion of novel and memoir chronicles the destructive effects of WWI on two working-class families in Nottingham. Alan Sillitoe, an advocate for ordinary people, combines family memoir with extensive research on military records and artistic speculation in this inventive historical narrative. Central to the story are his grandfather, the blacksmith Ernest Burton, and his uncle Edgar, a World War I deserter. The narrative begins with a legless match-seller from Sillitoe’s childhood, whose deformity sparked various explanations from family members, setting the tone for a tale colored by human imagination and opinion. Sillitoe delves into his heritage, portraying his maternal grandfather as a tyrant who was both feared and respected, separated from society by illiteracy yet a talented craftsman. On his father’s side, he explores the life of his uncle Edgar, who enlisted in the army in 1914 but soon deserted after realizing the harsh realities of military life. Edgar's attempts to evade military service lead him on a tumultuous journey, culminating in his capture and return to duty just in time for the Battle of the Somme. Spanning a century of family history and legends, this work interweaves personal memories with collected facts and hearsay. Sillitoe's signature “kitchen-sink realism” evolves into a more philosophical exploration, reflecting the inspirations behind his esteemed literary career.