Passionate Prodigality: Fragments of Autobiography

A Passionate Prodigality, a memoir by Siegfried Sassoon, was published in 1933 and hailed as one of the finest English works to have come out of the First World War. It evocates men at war and demonstrates an important truth: the poetry is not in the pity, but in the faces and words of the men who were with him at the front.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 03 June 2019
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

When A Passionate Prodigality was first published in 1933, it was hailed as one of the finest English works to have emerged from the First World War. Today, this memoir reads with a graphic immediacy, not merely in the descriptions of the filth, shock, and carnage that characterized the struggle, but in its evocation of men at war. Certain soldiers, who have now become a small quantity of Christian dust, are brought to life in this book in a way that is both stylish, honest, and eloquent. A Passionate Prodigality is less a book than a living voice, demonstrating an important but little-remembered truth: The poetry is not in the pity. To hell with your generalized pity. What the survivor remembers is not the fears he knew, the pains, but the faces and a few words of the men who were with him at the front.

The author's vivid descriptions of the trenches and the battles that took place during the war are particularly striking. He paints a vivid picture of the horrors of war, from the stench of the trenches to the bloodshed and destruction that characterized the conflict. However, it is not only the physical suffering that the author captures; he also delves into the emotional toll that the war took on the soldiers. He describes the fear, the anxiety, and the sense of isolation that many of them experienced, as well as the bonds that formed between them as they faced the same dangers and challenges.

One of the most powerful aspects of A Passionate Prodigality is the author's ability to convey the humanity of the soldiers. He shows them as individuals with their own fears, hopes, and dreams, rather than just faceless victims of the war. This humanization of the soldiers makes their experiences all the more relatable and poignant, and it helps to shed light on the complexities of the war and the sacrifices that were made.

Another notable aspect of the book is the author's use of poetry. While the poetry is not the primary focus of the memoir, it is interspersed throughout the text and provides a powerful and evocative way of conveying the author's emotions and experiences. The poems are often short and simple, but they pack a powerful punch and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

In conclusion, A Passionate Prodigality is a remarkable memoir that provides a powerful and evocative account of the First World War. The author's vivid descriptions, his ability to convey the humanity of the soldiers, and his use of poetry make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the war or in the human experience of conflict. While the book may be difficult to read at times, it is ultimately a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 238 x 168 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526750112