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Rating:  - One of my favorite books
Like others here, I've reread this book so many times I've lost count. The characters are richly imagined, the plots gripping, and the historical context satisfying. Certainly, some characters are more vividly drawn and "real" than others - the Jewish-French resistance fighter will always stay with me, while the American artist/spy is a little less gripping- but it's a great cross-section.
I would especially recommend this as a gift to a teenager to get them interested in history. Did the trick for me.
Rating: - Absolutely Amazing
Gone to Soldiers is one of the more brilliant books I have ever read. The characters very complex and multidimensional and I connected with each of them. This book really made me realize a lot about the emotional turmoil connected with World War II. I have read many Holocaust books, but this touched me even deeper than those did. This book is so different than any book I have read for many many reasons. Many authors have tried intertwining stories, but none have accomplished it as well as Marge Piercy has in this book. Each character is distinct and amazing, yet they all fit perfectly in the grand scheme of this book. I have also never read a book in which characters feel what they feel in this book. Murray and Bernice were so unique and felt such unique things, I was blown away. By the way, this book isn't just for adults...I am 15 and I love it. It is rather hair raising, so I wouldn't recommend it for most children, but all adults should read this book. Especially you and your family and friends.
Rating:  - Blech
I hated this book, it was much more boring than it could've been, plus the book tries to focus on both men and women but Piercy tries to make the women come off as having the harder time, and make the men fighting in the war look like panzies! I know Piercy is a feminist but come on. Plus 2 of the 4 men die off completey. Overall i'd say that this story was a flop and was very unentertaining. What a waste of a good 16 hours.
Rating: - One of her best
In my opinion, this is one of Piercy's best novels to date. In a similar vein to City of Darkness City of Light, Piercy explores a period of history viewed from several different angles, each illuminating a different aspect of the history. This allows her themes to come through the novel gently, without appearing heavy-handed or overly biased.
The novel is set during World War II, with the plot set in different parts of the US France and Britain (the intention was that it would also have a section based in Russia).
Being a Marge Piercy novel, you know it's going to be packed with believable, well-developed characters, with many of the key characters women. She follows these characters through the novel, as they become more aware of themselves, the situations around them and their role in history.
Definately one of my favorite books.
Rating: - Just one word -- FABULOUS
This book never really leaves you. The copy I read was passed on to me from a friend...there was no cover, the pages were loosened and all was held together with a large rubber band. That was evidence of how many times it had changed hands. I read it and passed it on. It may still be circulating somewhere. I now own a signed first of this book.
The book is set in WWII and is expansively told from the point of view of different characters...both those on the homefront and those on the front line. From time to time, their lives intertwine, although not always directly.
If you love historical fiction, WWII, or simply a page burning novel, you will love this book. Read it...caress it...pass it on...and, if you happen across the one with the rubber band, handle it lovingly.
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