A Soldier of the Great War

By: Mark Helprin

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 31 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

On his last long walk, septuagenarian war hero, deserter, and professor Alessandro Giuliani shares his past with an illiterate young factory worker, spinning a remarkable tale of heart-stopping escapes, of loves unrequited and won, of madmen, dwarfs, and mafiosi. But overshadowing all is his most miraculous and terrible adventure, the Great War: a surreal parade of horrors that devastated and defined Alessandro, yet enabled him to experience fully the magic and beauty of the absurd human comedy called life.

©1991 Mark Helprin (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Extraordinary....a vast, ambitious, spiritually lusty, all-guzzling, all-encompassing novel." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"A rousing tale....riotous energy and sustained brilliance....Helprin lights his own way, in his ownsingular direction." ( Time)
"A gripping, poignant and universally relevant moral fable." ( Publishers Weekly)

Epic Story about life ...and death

Mark Helprin is a gifted writer and story teller. Through the eyes of an old man telling life's truths to his young companion, we learn life's lessons of love, hardship, war, peace, and redemption in a way that will move anyone who likes good prose. The conversations are real, the descriptions real and riveting. One of the top 10 books I've ever read.

3 thumbs up!

Beautifully written.
Sensitively and Authentically read.
This is a story that one wishes not to end.

Priceless—my fav

2nd time through this gripping story—1st time listening. Enjoyed every moment like a glass of wine—Wonderful narration

Mark Helprin's Best

I first read this book in college years ago. I was very glad to see that it had made it to an audio version and quickly picked it up. First let me speak about the story itself. The development of the main character of this story is so complex, rich, and complete that I beleive a hundred years from now this book will be regarded as one of the great books of our time. The old man is so likable and written so well that you actually begin to believe that this is a true story. His story is compelling, funny, and poignant. He is the kind of man that most men aspire to become.
The writing of the story is what one expects from someone who wrote something called A Winter's Tale. The prose is magnificent. I will admit that I found my BA in English usefull with this book, Mr. Helprin shares my love of the english language and displays his vocabulary in his writing. Keeping a dictionary handy may not be a bad idea for some. Personally I like the unusual words.
Finally the narration. The narrator does not really evoke any thoughts in me, I hardly noticed him...which is quite possibly the greatest compliment I can give a narrator. We but audio books becaseu we want to enjoy the book. The experience is about the book only. We should not be talking about the narratory when we critique a novel....thus the best compliment we can give is to say we did not notice the narrator.

Good listen

We enjoyed this book! It is a bit long and wordy but the story and characters are well written and the narrator keeps you interested.

Made my top 10 list of favorite books of all time

This is a beautifully written love story full of adventure and suspense. Helprin’s lyrical prose transports you to Italy. Davis Colacci is a talented and articulate narrator. Having finished the book, I feel a void in my life.

Wonderful Philosophy

I love the way Helprin wove a deep story relating to war but chock full of philosophical gems that make me think about life and what is truly important...love and appreciation of the world around me.

INSITE INTO HOW ITALIANS FIGHT A WAR

This is a rambling story about an Italian man, from being a boy of privilege to loss of all and his military experience.

Painting with words

This was one of the most incredible books I have ever had the pleasure to experience. The word imagery is superlative and the story so carefully crafted that it is an amazing work of art. Few writers ever approach the author's powerful use of language in their works.

Clever but slow

Helprin's story is detailed and intricate. He is also the rare author who uses language and imagery in a delightful way - the sort that makes you stop and wonder how he creates such art in his words. The story has many high points but its pacing seems off in many places. There were a number of times that I wished I could skip ahead to help move the story along. If your delighted with a clever writer who knows his wordcraft you'll enjoy the work but if you want a story that moves along this isn't the one for you