Thoughts on "The Wars", by Timothy Findley

After having recently finished reading the novel “The Wars”, by Timothy Findley, I’m surprised at how truly great this novel is. “The Wars” is a novel that certainly deserves the classification as a classic. Not only should this book be a must read for any Canadian, it should be required reading for any English speaking individual. One aspect of this novel that makes it so spectacular, is that at no point is war glorified or dolled up, it’s presented as it truly is a horrendous affair not suited for anyone. But the fun doesn't stop there. The novel also reads very cinematically, what with the constantly changing perspectives throughout the story, and the ever shifting settings. When you expect the story to go one way, the author does a 360 turn and makes the characters do something completely different. So, all in all, “The Wars”, is a very excellent novel and comes highly recommended.