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Rachel Wagstaff
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Sebastian Faulks
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Birdsong (Reading Guide Edition) Paperback – 1 Sept. 2005

by Sebastian Faulks (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 7,892 ratings
Birdsong is a novel about the tenderness and the limits of human flesh, it is about men and women living at the edge. Set mostly in France spanning the years before and during the First World War it captures the drama and destruction of that era as it tells the story of Stephen, a young Englishman who is impelled through a series of extreme experiences, from a traumatic clandestine love affair which rips apart the bourgeois French family he lives with, through grim insanity of the Great War. In the vast scenes of suffering and the tender depiction of human love, Birdsong is at times almost unbearably moving to read.
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  1. Book 2 of 3
    French Trilogy
  2. Print length
    544 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Vintage
  5. Publication date
    1 Sept. 2005
  6. Dimensions
    12.9 x 12.9 x 19.8 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    0099496925
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0099496922
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Product description

Review

`A powerful novel that is difficult to put down.' --The Independent on Sunday, `The Hit List', November 2010

About the Author

Sebastian Faulks was born in April 1953. Before becoming a full-time writer in 1991, he worked as a journalist. Sebastian Faulks’s books include A Possible Life, Human Traces, On Green Dolphin Street, Engleby, Birdsong, A Week in December and Where My Heart Used to Beat.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 Sept. 2005
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0099496925
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0099496922
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 373 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 12.9 x 19.8 cm
  • Book 2 of 3 ‏ : ‎ French Trilogy
  • Best Sellers Rank: 1,677,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 7,892 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Rachel Wagstaff

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
7,892 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this book to be a brilliant novel with a gripping story that combines love and loss with the horrors of war. The writing is vivid and believable, and customers appreciate how it reflects the complexity of human emotions. Moreover, the pacing is moving, and customers say it draws them in and holds their attention throughout. Additionally, they value the book's thought-provoking nature and expert research, noting that it's more detailed than the screen version.

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ReadabilityStory qualityWriting styleEmotional contentPacingEngrossednessThought provokingDetail
292 customers mention ‘Readability’275 positive17 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and enjoyable, describing it as a brilliant novel that's a must-read.

"I rarely read fiction or novels but this book was recommended to me. Great read, well structured, moving back and forward in time from the trenches..." Read more

"An excellent read - written in a way that allows the reader to gain a real insight into the horrors of the trenches, whilst telling a story of love..." Read more

"Cracking book, not quite the same as the TV Drama but still a good read. Will probably read it again shortly." Read more

"Great book. Found it difficult to start with because I didn't realise that it would jump to the 1970s and I couldn't place the characters...." Read more

136 customers mention ‘Story quality’118 positive18 negative

Customers find the book's story captivating and moving, particularly noting its portrayal of love and loss set against the backdrop of World War I.

"...From the start I was gripped, it's equal parts love story ,war story and a haunting document to the Great War and the fallen...." Read more

"Although "Birdsong" is a good story, and well worth reading, I do not think that it is the masterpiece that some reviewers think it is...." Read more

"Such a moving story. I was welling up reading it. I first read "Birdsong" many years ago and I am so glad that I have read it for a second time." Read more

"I have seen the film, and the book is very good if not better. A gripping story.I would highly recommend this book." Read more

108 customers mention ‘Writing style’104 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting its vivid and believable prose. One customer describes it as a beautiful tale of passion and war, while another mentions its strong character development.

"My first reading of a book by this author and it is so well written, with well defined characters which really draws the reader into the unfolding..." Read more

"Beautifully written, with some mesmerising imagery that touches every emotion, the story details the elation and desperation suffered by a young man..." Read more

"...Very well written. Characters strong and well described. I liked the way it kept on changing location/time. Kept you wondering until the very end...." Read more

"Brilliantly written. Thought provoking and informative. A real challenge to the emotions at times but also an important challenge to conquer...." Read more

97 customers mention ‘Emotional content’88 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as heartrending and poignant, reflecting the complexity of human emotions.

"Re-reading this book for the fourth time, its very graphic and poignant. The only book I've ever read to make me actually cry." Read more

"I couldn't wait to pick it up and keep reading, emotional, heart rending, loved when John was born, amazing, you felt like you were there!" Read more

"Loved this book. I found it a life changing and emotional journey. When I visited the Somme in 2014 it brought home the tragedy of it all." Read more

"The perfect recipee is there: love, war, separation, friendship, courage, pain.. The book takes you in a vivid tale through the horrors of the..." Read more

61 customers mention ‘Pacing’51 positive10 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book moving and brilliant, with one customer noting its cinematic portrayal of the Battle of the Somme.

"Beautifully written, moving, evocative and tragic. This book stays with you long after you have finished it. I cannot recommend it enough" Read more

"Very moving and opened my eyes to the horrors of the war with a bit of a love/lust story thrown in. Liked how it all came together at the end." Read more

"First class from a great Author,THE FORGOTTEN WAR is portrayed wonderfully well ,disturbing yet poignant read." Read more

"Slow to begin with but then couldn't put it down. Harrowing, exciting and real. Loved it and didn't want it to finish" Read more

59 customers mention ‘Engrossedness’50 positive9 negative

Customers find the book enthralling and compelling, holding their attention throughout, with one customer noting how it draws readers into a specific time period.

"...A love story intertwined into the story line makes it interesting and adds another dimension...." Read more

"Poignant and compelling reading...." Read more

"...It is a brilliant book,absorbing,and the old clich'{ I couldn't put it down }was never more true.The best novel I have ever read...." Read more

"...It is so well written and draws you in, to the reality and horror of the First World War. It is a great read." Read more

53 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’50 positive3 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and inspiring, providing real insights and expanding understanding, with one customer noting it offers a powerful account of World War I.

"Brilliantly written. Thought provoking and informative. A real challenge to the emotions at times but also an important challenge to conquer...." Read more

"Well written. A poignant and thought provoking book." Read more

"Very thought provoking. Excellent." Read more

"...excellent read - written in a way that allows the reader to gain a real insight into the horrors of the trenches, whilst telling a story of love and..." Read more

41 customers mention ‘Detail’38 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed and expertly researched content, noting that it surpasses the screen version in depth.

"...but knowing the author and the depths of research it makes an informative and humbling revelation of the tortuous actions of the brave men and boys..." Read more

"Written with such love, care and attention to detail. Absolutely loved it. A love story intertwined with the horror of the trenches in WW1...." Read more

"An interesting and informative novel. A different take on WW1." Read more

"...I admire the book because the writing is masterly, the research is meticulous and the characterization is convincing...." Read more

Printing fault - all pages blank
1 out of 5 stars
Printing fault - all pages blank
Unfortunately, although the front cover seemed fine, what was clearly a printing fault resulted in the majority of the pages inside being entirely blank. Would have given no stars if I could.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Martin Belcher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everything a good book should be
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 August 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I can't rate this book more highly, an absolutely wonderful story of love and loss set amongst the horrors of the trenches in The Great War 1914 -1918. I picked this book up partly due to my recent interest in tracing my family tree and research involving my Grandfather, George Belcher, who fought bravely with the 19th London Regiment in Ypres, Northern France during 1916, luckily he survived the war to return to London with bayonet and mustard gas injuries, but his bravery never fails to impress me and makes me want to read more about the horrors of the British trenches during the war.

    Birdsong opens before the war and introduces us to Stephen Wraysbury visiting with a French Family the Azaires, learning about business there to take back ideas to England. Whilst there he falls in love with Isabelle Azaire, after a short affair, Stephen persuades Isabelle to leave with him to start a new life. Isabelle is secretly pregnant with Stephens baby and she decides to leave him quite suddenly whilst he is out. The book then jumps to the start of the war and we get to the know the character of Jack Firebrace, a Londoner hot foot from helping build the London Underground and is now tunnelling and helping to create tunnels from the British trenches into the German lines to place explosives. Stephen Wraysbury makes an appearance now as an Army officer. The descriptions of the horrors and the fighting in the trenches is just incredible, I literally could not put the book down in places and was entranced and fixed myself in the scene witnessing the full terror of the soldiers. One particular spot in the book where the men write home to their loved ones is very emotional and brought me to tears.

    Interspersed through the book is the separate narrative of Elizabeth in 1978 England searching the long lost diaries of Stephen and we discover that Elizabeth is his grandchild.

    I absolutely loved Birdsong, it is everything a good book should be, I could not bear to put it down and I reallly felt I was there with the characters. Sebastian Faulks beautiful descriptions and wonderful vocabulary really make it a joy to read.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • pip
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting .
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Good read
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bernard Howell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Classic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    There is no doubt that this is a great book. I read it for the first time when it first came out in paperback. I was a little disappointed with it then because it was not the book about the first world war that I wanted to read - at that time. I have just re-read Birdsong on Kindle and I have decided my earlier disappointment was completely unjust. Perhaps it is simply that I have matured in the intervening years, both as a person and as a discerning reader.
    Having said that: it is a book that I admire, rather than love. I find it difficult to like Stephen Wraysford, although it is not difficult to sympathize with his plight - but is this important? I admire the book because the writing is masterly, the research is meticulous and the characterization is convincing. The story, however, is one of unrelieved gloom and tragedy - and I believe this to have been the author's intention. There are aspects of life in the trenches which Faulks ignores, but that's fair enough - he cannot include everything.
    As I said, it is a great book and is much better on a second reading. It is still not the book I would like to read about the first world war - but it is by far the best currently available.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dave Tapper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the film in my opinion.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2024
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    The book has far greater depth than the film. Whilst I enjoyed the film, if that's not too trite a thing to say about death and destruction, the book really drove home to me just how terrible the ww1 carnage actually was. I have many books relating to the war and have always treated it as an academic exercise. Sebastian Faulks' writing took me to a much great depth of understanding. I'm old enough to have met survivors of that war and as a youngster had no concept of their experience and suffering, this story takes right into their hearts and minds to the point where you become a stakeholder. The main protagonist's journey through this hell is compelling and totally absorbing. I'm going to be living it for a long time to come.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Clozet
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly powerful and gripping story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Having seen the BBC dramatisation I was compelled to read the book. It is so much better than the programme! It is brilliant; a story of love, war and the human spirit.

    It starts off with Stephen in France on a fact finding mission for his employer. As the story unravels, there is a forbidden affair, eventually resulting in the couple running away.

    The war comes and life changes. Stephen initially finds the war interesting; it was an experiment to see how far men can be pushed. He unlike the other soldiers, has no one to write to or from whom to receive parcels. As a Lieutenant, he commands a number of men, many of whom he loses. Eventually, after such Battles as the Somme, it no longer amuses Stephen to see how far men can be pushed; he knows they will continue regardless of the fact they've seen their friends die, live in squalor and are not making much progress against the Germans. The men somehow carry on and do their jobs, despite the suffering and misery surrounding them.

    The stories of other soldiers and 'sewer rats' (tunnel diggers) are included, showing the impact on everyone concerned. At one point, even the Germans have a chapter where you feel sorry for them; Faulks dares to include this and does so successfully that you feel for them too.

    The story flits between Stephen's granddaughter who is researching her grandfather, to try and find out more about herself, and the men in the trenches. There is a touching part where she meets a WWI veteran to question him about her grandfather, but only gets snippets of different periods of his life because of how the war affected him.

    Unsurprisingly, death is a prominent theme in this book, but is handled in such a way that every death or injury described manages to work its way into your heart until you feel sorrow for the many lost. It is a powerful reminder of what was sacrificed for us. I implore you to read it.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • zoe friesen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Birdsong
    Reviewed in Canada on 26 July 2025
    Verified Purchase
    One of the greatest books
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  • Honest John
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read about life in the trenches and the naivety of subsequent generations
    Reviewed in Australia on 19 June 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written covering 2 eras, the war and the grand kids. Build a great story teaching about some good history and how much has n=been forgotten or not passed on
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  • Cliente de Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars A work of art!
    Reviewed in Spain on 3 January 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Beautifully written; asking all those questions that nobody seems to answer....ever!
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  • Brian Osborne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you hoped for in a book
    Reviewed in Germany on 23 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the pace, the understanding by the author of the time it was taking place. The battle scenes were just enough for you to get the true flavour of them and the actions that took place. Intermingled with the love, family sagas, a book to remember.
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  • Som
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pick it up and read !
    Reviewed in India on 1 September 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Alright ! Let me begin with sharing on how I came to know about this marvelous book. I had heard about Nightingale on several bookTube channels claiming it was a great read if one wanted to pick a great World War book. Then right here on Amazon, I started reading reviews and found someone criticizing the book and sharing that if one wanted to experience the accounts of World War, then one should pick up Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. That's it. That intrigued me and solely based on this recommendation, I ended up buying Birdsong (which was just one left in stock, and I considered myself lucky to have grabbed it).

    And there was this other nice thing that happened. That was the only item that I bought and the seller didn't even charge me any delivery charge (this has never happened before).

    The book's edges were a bit yellowish but the book was not used (it was brand new) and had this nice fragrance that satiated me to another level. Flipping over the pages and feeling all excited to go on a World War journey, brought me immense joy.

    Coming to the story (about which I wouldn't write much because that would spoil your reading experience) - a heartwarming, heart-wrenching and deeply emotional tale that is so lucid and poetic, that is so straight-forward with the world's harsh realities, with the ups and downs, with the questions and answers, with the heart-aches and dilemmas, the book is a true treasure.

    The ending is the part that I loved the most.

    All in all, if you wish to pick up a story which doesn't appear to be a story at all, which is more like a true life encounter, I urge you give this book a try and I bet you wouldn't be disappointed.
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