Description
In 1915, mortally wounded in Loos, France, eighteen-year-old John Kipling, son of writer Rudyard Kipling, remembers his boyhood and the events leading to what is to be his first and last World War I battle.
Publication
HMH Books for Young Readers (2007), Edition: Reprint, 160 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member Prop2gether
This novelization of the life and death of John Kipling, Rudyard's son, in the fields of battle in WWI, ranks in my opinon with The Red Badge of Courage, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Johnny Got His Gun. It is highly recommended.
LibraryThing member Catnelson
In 1915, mortally wounded in Loos, France, eighteen-year-old John Kipling, son of writer Rudyard Kipling, remembers his boyhood and the events leading to what is to be his first and last World War I battle.
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Weird. I'm a Kipling fan, but there is relatively little mention of John in his various biographies. I wonder how accurate the story is - obviously all the stuff about John dying and remembering is fictional, but the rest, before the war - I wonder. It would explain why there's so little mention of
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him... Show Less
LibraryThing member kkkoob
Gripping and horrifying. A fictionalized account of what may have happened to Rudyard Kipling's only son, John, a young officer in World War I. The story pingpongs between John's experiences as a severely injured officer on the battlefield and his memories of life that lead up to this event.
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Heartbreaking. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
I haven't been this affected by an anti war book since reading Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo years ago.
John Kipling, son of the Nobel prize winning legend Rudyard Kipling, joined the Irish Guard and, when promoted to Lt., was positioned on the front lines of a bloody battle in Loos France
The majority of the story is told from the voice of John as he lay dying on the battle field. Unable to move or speak, we enter his mind as he slips in and out of consciousness and flashes back to his life of luxury.
This is the story of two John's -- the rich, pampered dandy juxtapositioned with the 18 year old bespectacled, small, skinny boy who, in readily accepting his father's mandate that he be a "man", became a casualty of WWI.
Because Rudyard could not have a war career of his own, he pushed his son toward this choice.
The author cleverly shows the harsh reality learned by Kipling that words are powerful and actions have consequences. Prior to the loss of his son, Rudyard had a gung ho mentality, writing and lecturing that war is just against the "barbarians." Believing the sacrifice of life is the highest honor given for a country, Kipling's thoughts and words came back to haunt him when his one and only son is killed.
In the end, by accepting his father's choice that he do what is expected of him, certainly in wartime...for King and Country...the son became one of the 1 million people who died for England and one of the 20 million who died world wide. Rudyard, the father, died years later, a broken man.
Highly recommended.
John Kipling, son of the Nobel prize winning legend Rudyard Kipling, joined the Irish Guard and, when promoted to Lt., was positioned on the front lines of a bloody battle in Loos France
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where Germans quickly overtook his men.The majority of the story is told from the voice of John as he lay dying on the battle field. Unable to move or speak, we enter his mind as he slips in and out of consciousness and flashes back to his life of luxury.
This is the story of two John's -- the rich, pampered dandy juxtapositioned with the 18 year old bespectacled, small, skinny boy who, in readily accepting his father's mandate that he be a "man", became a casualty of WWI.
Because Rudyard could not have a war career of his own, he pushed his son toward this choice.
The author cleverly shows the harsh reality learned by Kipling that words are powerful and actions have consequences. Prior to the loss of his son, Rudyard had a gung ho mentality, writing and lecturing that war is just against the "barbarians." Believing the sacrifice of life is the highest honor given for a country, Kipling's thoughts and words came back to haunt him when his one and only son is killed.
In the end, by accepting his father's choice that he do what is expected of him, certainly in wartime...for King and Country...the son became one of the 1 million people who died for England and one of the 20 million who died world wide. Rudyard, the father, died years later, a broken man.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member Carmenere
Kipling's Choice
This little book by Geert Spillebeen vividly portraits the battlefield in Loos, France during WWI. The difference is that Rudyard Kipling's son, John, lays dying in a trench during which he reflects upon his life. Seventeen short years.
Yes, war is dreadful but so is living
I came away asking myself how often are people placed in a situation for which they are not acceptable because of who they know. In the case of young John Kipling he was placed in a situation which endangered his life and those of his troops.
3 out of 4 stars
This little book by Geert Spillebeen vividly portraits the battlefield in Loos, France during WWI. The difference is that Rudyard Kipling's son, John, lays dying in a trench during which he reflects upon his life. Seventeen short years.
Yes, war is dreadful but so is living
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vicariously through your young sons life. John was rejected by the Navy and Army because of his terrible vision but because of his father's influence and money he was, at last, accepted into the Irish Guard. Because of his military training he was immediately elevated to Lieutant and given the command of his own group of soldiers. There is a tremendous love between father and son and son only wants to do his father proud.I came away asking myself how often are people placed in a situation for which they are not acceptable because of who they know. In the case of young John Kipling he was placed in a situation which endangered his life and those of his troops.
3 out of 4 stars
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LibraryThing member ahooper04
Engrossing and quick read about Rudyard Kipling's son and his experience in World War I.
LibraryThing member tloeffler
A fictionalized account of the death of John Kipling, Rudyard Kipling's son, during World War I. The story begins with the end, then moves between Kipling's dying thoughts and memories of his life. This is a very, very sad book, made more poignant by the fact that his father pulled so many strings
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to get him into the war, and he experienced only one battle (although, from recent accounts that I've been reading about World War I, one battle would have been quite enough). It's interesting to see how John goes from being a spoiled young man to being a fairly well-respected lieutenant. This was a quick read, and although I can't call it enjoyable, I am glad I read it. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2005)
USBBY Outstanding International Book (Grades 9-12 — 2006)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2006)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
7 inches
ISBN
0618800352 / 9780618800353
UPC
046442800358