- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; First Edition edition (1 Nov 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593051114
- ISBN-13: 978-0593051115
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.5 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 352,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
" A work of formidable imaginative scope the writing is so good, the language so surprisingly subtle and the characters so beautifully delineated."
-- "Daily Telegraph
"" Riveting action scenes bristle with a queasy energy unputdownable and disgustingly realistic."
-- "Sunday Telegraph"
-- "Daily Telegraph
"" Riveting action scenes bristle with a queasy energy unputdownable and disgustingly realistic."
-- "Sunday Telegraph"
"From the Paperback edition."
Product Description
It is Flanders in June 1917: a British officer and celebrated poet, is shot dead, killed not by German fire, but while recuperating from shell shock well behind the lines. A young English soldier is arrested and, although he protests his innocence, charged with his murder. Douglas Kingsley is a conscientious objector, previously a detective with the London police, now imprisoned for his beliefs. He is released and sent to France in order to secure a conviction. Forced to conduct his investigations amidst the hell of The Third Battle of Ypres, Kingsley soon discovers that both the evidence and the witnesses he needs are quite literally disappearing into the mud that surrounds him. Ben Elton's tenth novel is a gut-wrenching historical drama which explores some fundamental questions. What is murder? What is justice in the face of unimaginable daily slaughter? And where is the honour in saving a man from the gallows if he is only to be returned to die in a suicidal battle? As the gap between legally-sanctioned and illegal murder becomes evermore blurred, Kingsley quickly learns that the first casualty when war comes is truth.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must confess that I have not read a Ben Elton novel for sometime (Blast From the Past being the last), which is odd as it was Ben that inspired me to have a go at writing. Having read an article on The First Casualty I gave it a go... and loved it. Yes, like many I picked up on the obvious Blackadder 4 links, but as a period project obviously close to the author's heart this works on all levels, i.e. great characters, intrigue, history and comical observation. Against the backdrop of murder investigation there is a touching and poignant account of life in the trenches which really hits home - the cramped train journey, the march to the front and the appalling sanitation. It is observed from all angles - gung-ho hero, pacifist, revolutionary to the scared and brow beaten ordinary Tommy. Ben Elton brings it altogether to make one great novel.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really think that Ben Elton has matured as a writer from the comedy sketch 'Stark' to this his tenth novel and finest work. Yes you do still get the cheeky juvenile Elton skits but this story captures and intrigues, particularly as you spare a thought for life in the trenches (if you ever want to read the best depiction of how it feels to be on a front line then Stephen Crane's 'Red Badge Of Courage' remains the classic). The blueprint for 'The First Casualty' is straight out of Blackadder 4 - the concert party, nympho nurse and digs at the class system (and Haig) - familiar. And like that piece of TV work, this is a classic
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought this was absolutely excellent. I had reservations at first as, apart from Blackadder, I have never warmed to Ben Elton or observed him to be a particularly sensitive writer. How wrong can you be, this novel aches with love, longing, hope and despair. Yes, it's formulaic; yes, the villain is cliched, but it's a wonderful piece of writing.
I agree with other comments in that it is a 'small' book and not destined to be a classic, it focuses on characters and plot first and foremost, but to dismiss it out of hand is, in my view, wholly wrong. This novel was an unexpected surprise and I doubt whether Mr Elton will write anything to match this again.
I agree with other comments in that it is a 'small' book and not destined to be a classic, it focuses on characters and plot first and foremost, but to dismiss it out of hand is, in my view, wholly wrong. This novel was an unexpected surprise and I doubt whether Mr Elton will write anything to match this again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Muddied waters
Imprisoned as a conscientious objector, Detective Kingsley is in imminent danger of being beaten to death by the old lags in Wormwood Scrubs to whom he is an easy target for... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Clive A. H. Still
The Three Stooges in "Trench Trouble"!
Read this as part of my A-level studies, alongside such WWI novels as Generals Die in Bed and An Ice-Cream War. This was my least favourite of the bunch. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jack Heslop
Generally poor.
There's a possibility that I will get lynched for this given this book's popularity, but I do rather struggle to see the good here. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A Customer
Stick to the satire
Ben Elton has departed from his usual quirky satire here, and has gone for a more traditional action/romance/whodunnit. Read more
Published 8 months ago by John Williams
A good book ruined by the protagonist
I started reading this book expecting an analysis of the first world war on a personal level. In that respect it performs admirably, accurately describing the horrors that soldiers... Read more
Published 9 months ago by a reader
Compelling from Start to Finish.
I've not read a Ben Elton book since Popcorn. I wasn't overly impressed with that book so was not sure what to expect with this one considering the topic. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nobbly
The First Casualty
I was uncertain about this book as I had never read any Ben Elton books before but, once I started I really did not want to put it down. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Maury
as if this needs another review...
I'll try not to repeat too much of what other reviewers have said. Basically, this is an 'ok' read, and reminds us all of the futile slaughter that was the first world war. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Wendy
Not what I thought it would be
Was so excited about this book as I love Ben Elton! They usually have a diffrent take on things. THis was not what I wanted it to be. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Louiseog
A truth of all wars.
This is my first experience with a Ben Elton novel and it seems I have randomly selected a topic that is not his usuall, this is still to be explored but I was flabergasted. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Diaa M. Fakhr
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