In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Alice Winn's debut novel; 400 pages; Published by Viking - 09/03/23; Dimensions: 14 x 3.8 x 21.8 cm

Waterstones debut novel of the year 2023 and I feel I may have read the best book of the year for me for 2024 in January! Wow! I am sure along with many others we will be discussing this book and recommending it forever - a story that will never leave me.

Right from the start I was hooked and so invested in these characters I call “my boys”, “sorry, no I'm busy, I need to get back to my boys,” was what my friends and family heard from the four days I was on this book.

I would have loved to have been able to shut myself away from the world for a day to read this but as I am very blessed to have my offspring and my best friend, my husband, I read this over several days.

I am very grateful to my family who always support my reading, they always listen when I must tell someone what's happening in my book. I was excited to read this particular title. I think it helped that I have an interest in the World Wars.

I am certainly not a fan of romance, but this is in its own league. Nothing phases or shocks me.

I would say this book perhaps not for the faint hearted when it comes to reality of war, and we are given so many beautifully graphic descriptions of war and equally graphic sex scenes. Winn has a style of writing which is thoughtful and moving.

The main characters are unforgettable and the whole narrative is very convincing. Winn has an incredible way of drawing you into two contrasting worlds; the harrowing atrocities of war and then right in the middle of all the hurt and trauma and then we have one of the most tender and beautiful love stories you could ever read - an incredible insight into society's forbidden love at a time.

I have heard it mentioned among the LGBTQ+ communities across the socials about this book, that they ‘came for the gays, stayed for the history’.

The paperback is due out end of February 2024 I think I'll have to have to get a copy for my collection! I saw this book in many bookshops displays when it was first released, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of the promotional bookmarks.

The front cover is predominantly red, title in white, author’s name in black, we have our two main characters on the front walking away from each other. I love the splash of turquoise with authors first name, the spine is also turquoise.

From a sensory point I do have a dislike of the colour red but the way this cover formatted it does work for me. I'd love to hear other’s thoughts and feelings on covers colour and design do drop me a line.

It is 400 pages in hardback which is about standard for size and feel for weight. The jacket has a warm matte feel with a very slightly embossed title.

This is one you're going to want to keep in a protective bag or cover if you're keeping the dust cover on, especially if you’re on the move or travelling. It feels like the type of cover that wouldn't survive any drink spillages or marks and as I read fast, I try not to carry a hardback around, but I was okay keeping a jacket on this one.

Do look out for my post regarding book bags and cover recommendations. The inside cover has candy cane stripes and with the colour combo it did make my eyes go a little fuzzy but nevertheless I love its uniqueness.

This is published by Penguin, who use soft pages. There are sensible page breaks and chapters.

Congratulations and well-done Alice Winn on your debut novel and thank you to Penguin and everyone involved in bringing the story to life - I cannot wait to see what the author brings next.