A Question of Honor

A Question of Honor (2013) Charles Todd

Set in Europe during the summer of 1918.

I still really like this historical bits of these stories. The war is still ranging, influenza is still decimating the ranks on both sides, and the militaries are learning how to fight this “new” war.

Since the institution of helmets for the men earlier in the war, and then for the officers as well, we were seeing fewer head wounds.

The mind can handle only so much despair and horror. Killing didn’t come naturally to most men, although they had to become proficient at it if they hoped to survive. Many blotted out what they couldn’t face, and others buried it deep inside, where only they could see it. And some simply walked into a German bullet to stop the torment.

Where the story frustrated me was that Bess kept accidentally coming across the various characters at the front.

I’m sorry, I just don’t buy it. Coincidences happen, and she did travel all over the front, but that she would run into a handful of individuals out of all the men fighting and across the front was just beyond belief.

Which is too bad, because otherwise I liked the story: the war, the flu, and the probability that children sent back to England when their parents were serving in India might end up in abusive situations–all those things were realistic and quite likely.

Simon, pacing the flagstone floor, said, “If these children were neglected or abused, why didn’t one of them tell the doctor or the rector?”

“Remember what Mr. Kipling said, when I went with Melinda to see him? He never told anyone how wretched he was. He was afraid he wouldn’t be believed, and that would make life even more unbearable.”

And sadly, some things feel like they’ve changed so little in the intervening time.

But the thought of Bess running into every person she needed to see was just ridiculous.
Rating: 5/10

Publisher: William Morrow

• Browse the archives:
  
• An Unwilling Accomplice » »
• « « An Unmarked Grave