I'm a fan of Sedgwick's spare style and his always interesting stories. 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI, so I was interested in dipping into this story. Like some other reviewers, I wasn't sure I really knew Sasha, the main character, and what motivated her besides her brother. It's one of those books where, in the end, what really matters is what the men do and the female characters react to and reflect them, but don't have independent needs and wants. Though Sasha wants to be a nurse, when she finally becomes quite a skilled one, that achievement is always in the shadow of the dubious pursuit of saving her brother, Tom. The other brother, Edgar, is thoroughly dislikable, and a late attempt in the book to rehabilitate him really falls flat. A love interest at the end is a real deus ex machina, able to navigate what were likely completely unnavigable areas on the eve of the Battle of the Somme. I wish the story has made a little more sense, even with the "magic realism" of her ability to see people's deaths. Even with fantasy and magic, there has to be an internal logic. Sedgwick uses it when it serves him then ignores it when it doesn't. In terms of a child's view of WWI, Michael Morpugo's War Horse is quite similar -- child finds a way to join up to save a loved one and succeeds despite the atrocities around him -- and is more effective as a novel. That said, there is some really lovely writing here. Sasha and her dispatcher, frantically trying to find Tom, end up in the middle of the Somme fighting. He crashes his motorcycle. Some Scots were passing. They laughed at me, but I didn't care. No one could recognize me, I thought, and two of them came over and lifted the bike free with Jack's help, but we had only made our way a little farther when it ran out of petrol. I was too tired even to cry now, and we stood staring at the useless bike, lying on its side like a dead animal in the mud. With a strangely unnatural speed, the mist began to clear, the sun burning it off in a matter of minutes, and we could see it was going to be a hot day after all. We saw we were surrounded by the dead. Bodies lay here and there, uncared for, unburied, almost unnoticed. I tried not to look at them, but couldn't help staring at the huge corpses of horses that lay among the human dead.
I'm a big fan of Marcus Sedgwick--and this is my favorite title from him to date. It is also the first book I have read by him that follows a single narrator throughout.Through the point of view of a 17 year old woman, Sedgwick slowly reveals the horror of war. From a brother who is overeager to join the war; to women handing out white feathers; to a school turned hospital that is overflowing with gassed, burned and shell shocked soldiers; to upper class women serving as nurses in France; there is a lot of good history here. For a teen reader who is unfamiliar with WWI and trench warfare, I think this would be fascinating and maybe even shocking account. And, of course, there is the disorienting touch of supernatural that Sedgwick is so good at building into his stories-(as well as his wonderful wood-cut artwork). [spoiler of sorts] For the other reviewers who are confused by the ending: it doesn't matter if Sasha (our symbolic Cassandra) truly foresees death. After seeing the hell the battlefield, she has discovered that there is no longer time for childish or romantic notions (such as the Greek mythology book which she leaves behind in the woods). There is only the reality of war and the neverending supply of wounded men needing her help. Sasha's journey parallels that of most upper class in WWI--from the excitement about the romance of war to an understanding of the harsh realities of war. Maybe too deep for a YA book, but well crafted nevertheless!
What do You think about The Foreshadowing (2006)?
It was really interesting to learn about the way things were for women back then and how the main character really felt like she need to do something more than just sit around the house all day I also enjoyed the settings and how she went to the war but what really disapointed me was that the main character didn't fall in love with Hodoo Jack who would be a perfect match for her because he would understand her the best of anyone if there was another book they would have deffinatly been together it was just a dissapointment that they didn't get togetherin this book.
—Glamorgirl
Alexandra grew up in a time where men were sent to war and were excited about what they'd encounter. Her brother, Edgar, gladly obliged while her other brother, Tom, insisted on being a doctor. Alexandra has a gift that allows her to sense the future, usually when someone is about to die, and since no one believes her, she considers her gift a curse. She turns to the Greek story of Cassandra to guide her because Cassandra also possesses a similar power. Edgar sends a letter home from the frontli
—Caroline Camfield
The ForeshadowingFirst of all thanks so much to my best friend for actually buying me this book to read.All I can say about this book is, WHOA. I read this book in literally 24 hours.Well this definitely has to be one of the best books I have EVER read. This book is so cleverly written and amazing I can't even begin to explain it. The story of Sasha (Alexandra) and her preconceptions of being able to see the future really plays with your mind. I am not going to spoil anything major in this book but I loved how the chapter numbers were ordered backwards as a relation to her life and being able to see the ending at the start. It started with chapter 101 and ended with chapter 1. Very clever.I think that everyone should read the Foreshadowing at some point in their life. I highly recommend it and know for sure it will not let you down if you are looking for a good read.I wish I could give this book 100 stars.WHOA!
—Julia
