It often blows my mind the way LGBTQIA+ folks were treated in the past. Things aren’t exactly great right now, but they’re not as bad as before Stonewall. This book takes us all the way back to the early 1900s when World War 1 took place. This is a time when being anything other than straight could get you expelled from school, fired from your job, or worse, killed or committed to an insane asylum. In her debut novel, Alice Winn takes readers on a poignant journey into the horrors of World War I and the heartache of forbidden love as two young men fight in the war while trying to keep their love for each other a secret.

The novel focuses mostly on Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood, two best friends attending an English boarding school. Gaunt knows that Ellwood is gay and has had several secret boyfriends. What Gaunt doesn’t know is that Sidney has had a crush on him for years but hasn’t said anything because he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. Gaunt has his own demons that he is battling. Half German, Gaunt finds himself torn between his nationality and his loyalty to his friends and country. But it is his infatuation with his best friend, Sidney Ellwood, that serves as the central conflict of the story. Gaunt finally professes his love for Ellwood, but this doesn’t happen until after they’ve enlisted, upping the stakes.

The novel starts at an idyllic boarding school in the English countryside, providing a stark contrast to the horrors of war. The school is a safe place for the boys as the war rages not too far from them. They spend their days studying and reading through the list of casualties in the local paper. As former classmates appear on the list, the boys can’t wait to be old enough to go and fight for their country. They don’t realize that the war is much worse than any of them expected, and years of playing war as a kid could never prepare them for the harsh realities of what really happens on the battlefield. This juxtaposition between the safety of the school and the brutality of the war adds a layer of tension and suspense to the narrative.

As Gaunt and Ellwood eventually enlist and begin to navigate the horrors of war, their bond grows stronger, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Winn’s characters are complex and nuanced, their struggles relatable and deeply human. The reader cannot help but become emotionally invested in their journey, experiencing the same heartache and joy that they do. As we know, war is not without loss and heartache, and there is no shortage of that here.

Winn’s portrayal of war is unflinching and raw. She pulls no punches in depicting the gruesome reality faced by soldiers on the frontlines. The violence and destruction are harrowing, yet Winn’s delicate storytelling manages to find beauty even in the darkest of moments. This novel serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating toll of war, both on the battlefield and within the hearts of those left behind.

Winn’s writing paints a vivid picture. From the safety of the school to the blood-soaked battlefields, every scene is brought to life with stunning clarity. The emotions experienced by the characters are palpable as Winn carefully crafts each moment, expertly exploring the depths of their hope, love, fear, and grief.

I really enjoyed this novel, and it left me deeply moved. With its vivid imagery and compelling characters, In Memoriam is a tour de force that explores the depths of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit. This is a must-read for anyone seeking an unforgettable tale of love and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy. The bonus point is that it focuses on a couple of gay men, which we don’t often see in stories of war.