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Peace on the Western Front by Mattia Signorini : a review

We’re delighted to be sharing Laura’s thoughts about Peace on the Western Front by Mattia Signorini.

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book cover for Peace on the Western Front by Mattia Signorini. As the sun sets, two soldiers from opposite sides are having a conversation

Peace on the Western Front by Mattia Signorini

  • Category : Historical Fiction
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Manilla Press (9 Nov. 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1786583410
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1786583413
  • Manilla Press | Amazon | Goodreads

Peace on the Western Front Summary

THE WORST OF ENEMIES. THE BEST OF FRIENDS.

A powerful, emotional novel of peace and friendship against the greatest of odds . . .

1914. A boy enrols in the army, hoping to find peace in the great adventure of war. Handed a rifle, he discovers the grim reality: grey days distinguished only by the ever-present spectre of death. In the midst of horror, he finds close friendships, love and companionship. In an unexpected act of courage, he changes the course of history, bringing German and Brits to put down their weapons for a celebration of peace.

In 1933, a father and son set out for Flanders. The former soldier carries more of the war with him than his maimed left hand. The British man he met in the forest of Ypres is a memory passed down from father to son, a story of friendship across enemy lines, forged by one uniting belief: the need for peace . . .

Peace on the Western Front Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this poignant short story about war. With a dual timeline starting at the beginning of the First World War and in 1933 before the Second World War this book portrays two sides of men who were all fathers, sons and brothers.

William Turner, a young soldier began his army career travelling to Ypres after a very basic training. He soon made friends and with this he realised the folly of war.

After meeting a German soldier in the woods, thankfully they both shared a similar view upon meeting the enemy.

Their second meeting changed our views briefly of men fighting during a war as they share a game of football. A beautiful moment at Christmas, an inspiring moment before they began fighting again. For the soldiers it was a time to realise they were just men, men who sadly became commodities of war.

I adored William’s friendship with the professor as they talk of their plans after the war. A touching moment provides the reader with great sadness as they discover a wish that might not happen.

Peace on the Western Front is a wonderful short story of friendship, love, war and loss. Highly recommended.

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About the Author

Mattia Signorini holds a degree in communications from the University of Padua. After working as an Editor in Milan, he started a creative writing school, the Palomar School, in his hometown, Rovigo.

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