Back to Life by Philip Gibbs

"Back to Life" by Philip Gibbs is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of World War I, capturing the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the liberation of Lille, France. The story focuses on characters like Wickham Brand, a war correspondent, and his interactions with the local population that has endured years of German occupation, portraying their mixed emotions of joy, relief, and deep-seated resentment towards their oppressors. The opening of the book establishes a vivid scene as the protagonist recalls the day of Lille's liberation after four years of war. Brand and his fellow officers experience a tumultuous arrival into the city, where civilians greet them with tears of joy and gratitude, but also with tales filled with bitterness and suffering under German rule. The emotional weight of the narrative is heightened by Brand's reflections on the character of his friend Wickham Brand, who, despite the joy of liberation, is burdened by the trauma of war and the collective memories of those who suffered. The mix of exultation and haunting recollections of hardship provides a poignant backdrop for the unfolding story of healing and the quest for understanding in the aftermath of conflict. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Gibbs, Philip, 1877-1962
Title Back to Life
Credits Produced by David Widger from page images generously
provided by Google Books
Reading Level Reading ease score: 80.8 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 50497
Release Date
Last Update Oct 22, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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