Consequences Of War: Books That Talk About The Ugly Truth Of Wars

Consequences Of War: Even as the Russia-Ukraine war threatens to damage the world ecosystem at a macro level and tears apart individual lives at the micro level, literature of all times acts as a warning bell. Anti-war books have flourished since always because they tap into the humanistic side of readers and touch us through their poignant tragedies. Here is a list of books that are essential indictments against and exposes of war. Books that talk about the ugly truth of wars.

All The Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This book follows a blind Parisian girl estranged from her father and a tech savvy German orphan recruited by Hitler Youth as they face the Nazi occupation of Paris. As the war rages on and tears the fabric of both their lives apart, they still refrain from giving in to their bestial side. Instead, they display kindness and humanity, a powerful message for the times.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Amidst the holocaust of the second world war, which was one of the biggest human failings, this book follows a young German girl, Liesel. The Hubermann family adopts her and they live a decent life full of love but on the brink of poverty. But all of this changes when the family shelters a Jew and the war becomes progressively worse.

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

This exemplar of realism is Crane’s novel about a man who joins the Union because of his rose tinged ideas about war. But soon he realizes that the military life is far from romantic or idealistic, and instead is the epitome of despondence. As he battles shame, fear and guilt, we realize just how dehumanizing war can be for those that partake in it.

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

This anti-war book is structured in the form of Billy Pilgrim’s story. Without a conceivable plot or structure that adheres to the norm, this book is notoriously difficult to explain. Billy, dealing with the monsters of war, experiences delusions like alien abductions. His temporal narrative shifts back and forth, revealing Vonnegut’s criticism of war.

The Seasons of Trouble by Rohini Mohan

Three decades of Sri Lankan history were steeped in the horror of a war between two factions of society. Ultimately, the war ended when the government killed the LTTE leader, but the ghosts of the war are imminent. This reportage by prize winning journalist Mohan, takes us through the lives of three people amidst the macro scale violence.

A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell

Virginia Hall was one of the most formidable Allied spies during the second world war. The Gestapo wildly feared her. It proclaimed that she was the most dangerous Allied spy, and should be found and captured immediately. This biography as an insight into the life of one of the bravest and most intelligent women of all time, but also an indictment of war.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

This book does not overtly deal with war, nor is it set during wartime. But it encapsulates with brilliant emotion and sensitivity the trauma of war. The protagonist of this book is survivor of war. And his mother’s and grandmother’s stories are also included here, have actually faced the brunt of war. All of this serves as a reminder of the grim realities of war.

Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw

This is a romantic play with anti-war themes. Here, the female protagonist shelters a soldier during a siege and falls in love with him. The drama is notable because it does not exalt the traditional masculine virtues of ‘bravery’ and ‘fearlessness’ that soldiers were expected to demonstrate. Instead, it breaks gender stereotypes and proves that men can be afraid.

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