A Long Long Way, by Sebastian Barry

In the wonderfully written book, A Long Long Way, by Sebastian Barry introduces an innocent Irishman, Willie Dunn. After meeting the girl of his dreams he signs up for the army to fight on the fronts of WWI. He quickly makes friends there and is sent back on leave to a much missed father and three sisters. When he is told to  reenter the war his regiment is turned back towards the city of Dublin,  the Irish capital were a rebellion starts. Willie is too stunned to kill his fellow Irishmen, as are his fellows but, when a rebel points a revolver at him, Willie Dunn shoots him. After this his regiment is sent back to the front. Soon he is given another leave and when he comes back, he is no longer welcome in his fathers house, for the man he killed was a friend of his fathers. Poor Willie visits the girl of his dreams only to find that she has already married to someone else. Soon Willie is abandoned and the only thing he can do is continue to fight the war.

  Personally I believe this book was completely amazing. Thorough, historically accurate, and and incredible tail of bravery and courage, A Long Long Way is a book I recommend to everybody. Although it is very sad when Willie is left alone, I believe that this was one of the best book that I have read in a long time. I would give it a 9/10 rating.

By P.G. , grade 9