Gone to Soldiers
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By: Marge Piercy
In a stunning tour-de-force, Marge Piercy has woven a tapestry of World War II, of six women and four men, who fought and died, worked and worried, and moved through the dizzying days of the war. A compelling chronicle of humans in conflict with inhuman events, GONE TO SOLIDERS is an unforgettable reading experience and a stirring tribute to the remarkable survival of the human spirit. "Panoramic...This is a sweeping epic in the best sense." THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
AI Overview
Overview of "Gone to Soldiers" by Marge Piercy
Plot Summary: "Gone to Soldiers" is a 770-page novel by Marge Piercy, published in 1987. The book spans the entirety of World War II, following the lives of ten main characters and two minor characters through their disparate experiences of war at home and abroad. The novel explores various aspects of the war, including espionage, jungle fighting, submarine attacks, and the contributions of women in factories and intelligence research.
The characters include Bernice Coates, a large, plain girl who finds freedom and mastery as a pilot; Jeff, who serves with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in London and recaptures his youth; Daniel Balaban, sent to Harvard University to learn Japanese; Abra Scott and her friends, who have glamorous jobs in Washington, D.C.; and Louise, a journalist who rides on tanks and files stories from Paris.
The novel delves into the personal and professional transformations of these characters as they navigate the war. It highlights the human desire to connect and the complex, grandiose hopes that people hold during such tumultuous times. The story is not just about the war itself but also about the lives of ordinary people caught in its midst, exploring themes of identity, comradeship, and the impact of war on society.
Key Themes:
- War and Its Impact: The novel explores the various facets of World War II, from traditional war scenarios like jungle fighting and submarine attacks to the contributions of women in factories and intelligence research.
- Identity and Transformation: Characters undergo significant personal and professional transformations as they navigate the war. This includes finding new opportunities and meanings in their lives.
- Comradeship and Human Connection: The novel emphasizes the importance of human relationships and comradeship during times of war, whether between soldiers or between individuals from different walks of life.
- Social Context and Ideology: Piercy recreates the intellectual and ideological feel of the time, including attitudes that might seem destructive to modern readers but were part of the social context of the era.
Critical Reception: "Gone to Soldiers" has received widespread critical acclaim for its masterful storytelling and historical research. Reviewers praise Piercy's ability to engage readers by tapping into their knowledge and using expert plotting and characterization. The novel is described as a timeless story about WWII that proves once again why Marge Piercy is a masterful storyteller.
However, some critics have noted that the novel deals extensively with the problems of women and that the male characters are often stereotyped as destructive. Despite these criticisms, the book is generally commended for its acute social reportage and compelling storyline.
Overall, "Gone to Soldiers" is a complex and richly detailed novel that explores the multifaceted experiences of individuals during World War II, making it a significant contribution to war literature.