'The Forgotten Soldier' by Guy Sajer

[Geek44]

I'm sure many have read this book. I've read it several times (yep...I'm one of those types) and always get something new from it. But I was wondering what the membership thought about it as a memoir. There are many who don't believe its authenticity and some term it outright 'rubbish'. My personal opinion is that true or not, it's a very good book that moved me to tears more than once. Wondering what everybody else thinks.
Peace.

[McCoy]

I've read it but haven't made up my mind 'bout it. I thought it was lackin' somewhat in accuracy in some places n' some things were described that I've not even heard of when it comes to hardware. But I'm ready to write that down to translation errors as it's written in French n' then translated to English, at least my copy of it.

[Tom Houlihan]

The first time I remember reading this book was about 30 years ago. In the meantime, I've probably read it 8-10 times. I always pick up on something different.

I was going to simply write my comments, but I've done that elsewhere. At the risk of raising Jim's ire and/or blood pressure, I'm going to invite you all to read another thread. In addition to discussing the book, there are also comments about a film.

A site search over there will bring up other references to Sajer, but this is the main thread:

Feldgrau.net • View topic - "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer

[Dallas]

I have read the book three times in the last 30 plus years. Having read many pro and con reviews of the work I tend to believe that the book is mostly accurate and that Guy was in fact "there". Below are two links, the first is an indepth look at the book and the second is the Wiki entry for the work.

The Forgotten Soldier: Fact or Fiction?

The Forgotten Soldier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Tom Houlihan]

I think the biggest problem we have with our version is that it was written in French about the German Army, by somone who wasn't fluent in German. Then it was translated to English. Dollars to donuts, the translator didn't know squat about the Wehrmacht, or military in general!

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by Geek44

I'm sure many have read this book. I've read it several times (yep...I'm one of those types) and always get something new from it. But I was wondering what the membership thought about it as a memoir. There are many who don't believe its authenticity and some term it outright 'rubbish'. My personal opinion is that true or not, it's a very good book that moved me to tears more than once. Wondering what everybody else thinks.
Peace.

I' one of them types too, Nick. A good book is worth many reads! I've tried reading books online, on the computer, but it just doesn't hold the same for me somehow. I need the smell of paper, and the pages between my fingers, you know? Alas, I've not read this one yet...I'll have to look for it in the Library.

[Geek44]

Thanks for the input guys..and Em...true or not, it's a bloody good read as we say.

[Hagen]

Thought it a true story when I read it years ago, and after all the arguments, I still think it true. Great book!

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Hagen

Thought it a true story when I read it years ago, and after all the arguments, I still think it true. Great book!

I'm actually not learned enough on the intricacies to know whether or not it's true. I've read that the unit he claims he was in (Großdeutschland) was never where he claimed they were and other such things. I put it down to the fog of war and fading memory. Heck, I've even heard Remarque's (Kramer spoken backwards according to rumour) 'All Quiet On The Western Front' discredited.

[gi-rene]

Well I had some good arguments on the book... But the site that contained them is no more....