A review by thegreatlesley
The First Casualty by Ben Elton

4.0

I was interested to read a novel by Ben Elton because I love him from the TV series Blackadder. I was in for something a little different than a dry British sitcom. This book is a sobering look at the realities of World War I and our own understanding of the limitations of human morality. This book made me feel shockingly connected to the horrors of WWI while continuously reminding me that I will never truly understand what it felt like to be present. Elton's overarching theme teaches us that often our uncontrollable circumstances will rock the foundations of our morals and make us question right and wrong. Things are never as black and white as justice seekers hope. I gave it four rather than five stars because I disagreed with the ending. But, that is a matter of opinion.