Days Without End

Barry effortlessly constructs a beautiful epic war narrative in Days Without End. The harsh and destructive nature of war is beautifully interwoven with glimmers of camaraderie and humanity. The peppering of the beautiful relationship between John Coles and Thomas McNulty is subtle and adds to the complexity of the war narrative and war trauma on the human psyche. This novel seems to me to have glimmers of Steinbeck's great American narrative within it. I felt a connection with the characters and a connection to the wider narrative. I really enjoyed Barry's Irish dialogue in the novel. I loved the depth of the novel and the conflicted characters of McNulty and Cole. I respected the true and harsh depictions of Americans brutality to the native Indian community at this time as well as the truthful depiction of the American civil war. A very strong and impressive war narrative. Upon reflection a now 5 star read. A must read for fans of war narratives and deep books that conflict and move you. Not a book for the faint hearted.