The Absolutist by John Boyne

"The Absolutist", by John Boyne. This book is published by Other days in 2012 and has 320 pages.

This is the story of Tristan Sadler, a young boy who enlists in the army to fight against Germans by providing false age. Tristan is loathed by all and is as good as dead for the family. The reason, he is homosexual.

He becomes friends with Will, another recruit at the training academy, a son of Vicar. Both train together and talk about their lives. Upon completion of training, they are sent to Germany to fight. Will captures a young German soldier. One of their colleague kills him. Will can not digest the murder of an unarmed soldier. He fights for justice but is unsuccessful. This is when he declares himself an absolutist.

What is an absolutist? Can Tristan help him? Are they lovers? Does Tristan or Will survive the war? Who is Marian?

Author has handled the subject of homosexuality in this book. Mind you that although the book was published in 2012, the story takes place between 1911 and 1919. Even saying the word was a taboo in those days. Tristan is always at the receiving end because of his sexual orientation. He still finds some human beings who understand him in those days.

The story is very slow. Not much happens for pages. The tone is gloomy. But you want to keep reading. The book is written more at a psychological level than material. Tristan goes on to become a writer and confesses that he is the most feather man.

An OK book. Only serious readers should try it.