In Memoriam

More about the book

In 1914, as World War I ravages Europe, Henry Gaunt and his classmates remain sheltered in their idyllic English boarding school. Weekly updates from their school newspaper detail the fates of older students, making the war seem thrilling rather than terrifying. Gaunt, who is half-German, struggles with his deep infatuation for his charming best friend, Sidney Ellwood, unaware that Ellwood feels the same. Meanwhile, Gaunt's family pressures him to enlist in the British army to shield them from rising anti-German sentiment. Seeking an escape from his emotions, Gaunt joins the military, despite the grim realities of the front. He tries to dissuade Ellwood from following him, but inspired by notions of heroism and romanticized warfare, Ellwood enlists as well. Soon, many classmates join them, drawn by the allure of glory. In the trenches, the boys confront the brutal truth of war, where fleeting moments of comfort between Gaunt and Ellwood are overshadowed by the constant loss of their friends. As they navigate the horrors around them, the uncertainty of survival looms large, leaving them to grapple with their feelings amidst chaos.