War & Turpentine by Stefan Hertmans

War & Turpentine is a historical fiction novel based on the life of the author’s grandfather, Urbain Martien, during World War I. The story is a novelization of Martien’s life, from his impoverished childhood in late-nineteenth-century Belgium to his experiences as a soldier in the war and his later career as an artist.

The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different period of Martien’s life. The first part explores his childhood and family history, while the second part delves into his experiences as a soldier in the war. The third part focuses on his life after the war, including his struggles with poverty and his pursuit of a career as an artist.

Throughout the book, themes of war, poverty, family, and art are explored. The author uses his grandfather’s notebooks about World War I to create a harrowing account of war, poverty, and despair. The book also explores the role of art in Martien’s life and how it helped him cope with the trauma of war.

What I Liked

The setting of the novel is interesting.

What I Did Not Like

I thought it was. pretty forgettable novel.