Across the Blood-Red Skies
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Review
** 'A vivid evocation of an often romanticised aspect of World War 1, pulling no punches, and a fitting tribute to those men and women who risked life and limb. A story of war, love and friendship, heroics and heroism (DAILY MAIL )
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Book Description
* A compelling page-turner about two WW1 fighter pilots and the woman they are both in love with
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Robert Radcliffe committed an unforgiveable sin with his first novel Under an English Heaven.... it was perfect. As a result it almost defies the odds that he can ever write anything as good again and this means that I'm doomed to always be slightly disappointed whenever I buy his new books (which I will do, in hardback, the day they come out!). However despite the fact that I don't think 'Across a Blood Red Sky' is quite as good as 'Under an English Heaven' its very, very close.
The nearest fictional work I can compare it to is Birdsong. It shares some vague similarities of plot and pace. Most of the story is set on the ground, rather than in the air although the airborne sequences are both exciting, wonderfully written and extremely accurate. Funnily enough a friend lent me Cecil Lewis's (famous broadcaster and WW1 pilot) autobiography Sagittarius Rising which I read a few weeks before this book. The fictional accounts of aerial combat in Radcliffe's novel are almost identical to the actual ones Lewis describes. The two books complement each other wonderfully. Early on there's a very nasty account of the gas attack at the 2nd Battle of Ypres and the actions of the Canadian infantry around St Julien. My great-grandfather fought alongside the Canadians at this battle so it had special impact for me.
Best of all I think Radcliffe must have read my review of his last book Upon Dark Waters because although his new novel is written using a similar style of flashback and non-linear story telling this time round he spoils the plot very little apart from the obvious conclusion that the main character George Duckwell survives the war. Cleverly the conclusion of 'Across the Blood red Skies' isn't revealed until the very end. As it should be!
Normally I try and highlight at least some negative aspect of anything I review just to try and put my review in balance. This time round I can't. This is simply a great book for those who appreciate intelligent, literate books about the men and women who fought in the world wars.
The nearest fictional work I can compare it to is Birdsong. It shares some vague similarities of plot and pace. Most of the story is set on the ground, rather than in the air although the airborne sequences are both exciting, wonderfully written and extremely accurate. Funnily enough a friend lent me Cecil Lewis's (famous broadcaster and WW1 pilot) autobiography Sagittarius Rising which I read a few weeks before this book. The fictional accounts of aerial combat in Radcliffe's novel are almost identical to the actual ones Lewis describes. The two books complement each other wonderfully. Early on there's a very nasty account of the gas attack at the 2nd Battle of Ypres and the actions of the Canadian infantry around St Julien. My great-grandfather fought alongside the Canadians at this battle so it had special impact for me.
Best of all I think Radcliffe must have read my review of his last book Upon Dark Waters because although his new novel is written using a similar style of flashback and non-linear story telling this time round he spoils the plot very little apart from the obvious conclusion that the main character George Duckwell survives the war. Cleverly the conclusion of 'Across the Blood red Skies' isn't revealed until the very end. As it should be!
Normally I try and highlight at least some negative aspect of anything I review just to try and put my review in balance. This time round I can't. This is simply a great book for those who appreciate intelligent, literate books about the men and women who fought in the world wars.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Another excellent book from Robert Radcliffe, I couldn't put it down from start to finish. Wonderful characters, gripping action, heroism, humour and romance. This book is well researched and written by an author who really knows his subject.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was recommended to me by a friend. The First World War is not normally my thing but my gosh! I was instantly engrossed. This is essentially a love story and I really felt for the 3 protagonists. I wasn't expecting to be drawn so deeply into all the flying descriptions but George's character is so appealing that you can't help but feel for the awfulness of his situation. Emily's experiences as an ambulance driver in the FANY are equally heart-rending. The mysterious Mac is vunerable, enigmatic and touchingly human. By the end of this book I felt completely involved in the lives of these characters and their stories. Radcliffe has a knack for bringing fictional characters and historical events startingly to life. I will definitely be reading more of his work.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cancel your flight
A friend who normally enjoys war fiction passed this book on to me, wondering if he was being too harsh in finding it boring. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Modern Bystander
1st class read
An excellent book of the "Can't put down " variety ,superbly written and historicaly interesting ,not a "mans" or a "womans" book ,both .
Thoroughly recomended . Read more
Thoroughly recomended . Read more
Published 9 months ago by Woodgreenman
Across the Blood red sky
UNSUALLY WRITTEN BUT AS THE STORY ENFOLD YOU BECOME MORE PULLED IN BY THE
OUTCOME OF THE THREE MAIN CHARACTERS
LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT STORY
OUTCOME OF THE THREE MAIN CHARACTERS
LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT STORY
Published 14 months ago by roy
Across the Blood-Red Skies
The other Radliffe title which I actually own is "Upon Dark Waters" and I think that the style is very similar, except that writing it largely in the first person rather than as... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Michael Field
Started well but lost interest
To begin with I thought this was a cracking read; well written, well researched and very entertaining. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Colin Mayo
Not his best
I loved "Under an English Heaven" and I was expecting another great book, but this one didn't deliver. Read more
Published 21 months ago by J.I.S.
Great Stuff!
I don't think the reviewer who gave this one star was reading the same book as me. I thought it was terrific. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Perry Burgess
Same old story.
Not a book that goes anywhere but for the same old formula of American makes his way into our forces and then shows the British how to do it properly, gets the girl and the British... Read more
Published 23 months ago by John Cornwell
Across the Blood Red Syies
A very enjoyable read. Not as macho as the first two in the trilogy.
Will certainly read more from this author.
Will certainly read more from this author.
Published on 27 April 2010 by Mrs. M. Castle
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