In Memoriam
The must-read, Sunday Times bestselling First World War love story
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4.7 • 138 Ratings
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
WINNER OF WATERSTONES NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD
A TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS DEBUT OF THE YEAR
‘If you haven’t read it, you’re missing out’ Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
'One of the best debuts I've read in recent years . . . please rush out and buy it' ELIZABETH DAY
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In 1914, war feels far away to Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood. They're too young to enlist, and anyway, Gaunt is fighting his own private battle - an all-consuming infatuation with the dreamy, poetic Ellwood - not having a clue that his best friend is in love with him too.
When Gaunt's mother asks him to enlist, he signs up immediately, relieved to escape his overwhelming feelings. But Ellwood and their classmates soon follow him to the front. Ellwood and Gaunt find love in the trenches – but just as war brought them together, it can tear them apart…
An epic, unforgettable love story between two soldiers in the First World War, In Memoriam is a breath-taking debut.
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'A genuine page-turner' Sunday Times
'BIRDSONG for a new generation' JOANNA QUINN, author of THE WHALEBONE THEATRE
'I can't remember the last time I was this invested in a love story' Sunday Telegraph
'Assured, affecting and moving' MAGGIE O'FARRELL, author of HAMNET
‘Will smash your heart to smithereens' Daily Mail
THE TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, March 2023
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Winn's superb debut chronicles a romance between two English boarding school classmates during WWI. Sidney "Elly" Ellwood is in love with Henry Gaunt, but fears his desires are unrequited; the other feels the same, but neither know it. After Henry enlists in the Army, Elly signs up, but their reunion in Flanders is muted and Henry hardly speaks to Elly. Eventually they have a sexual encounter, but Elly wonders what it means for Henry, and whether it's more than a "convenient addition to their friendship." Meanwhile, both men grapple with the realities of war, which Winn vividly renders with descriptions of the wounded (blood clings to a soldier's hair and eyelashes before "dribbling down his chin") and the "constant indignities clotted the mind," such as food covered in flies. After one of the lovers goes off to battle and doesn't return, the other is left to assume the worst. Amid the chaos, Winn stages excellent action scenes: a tense scouting mission, as well as a tunnel-digging episode involving an escape from a German POW camp. The hunger the men feel, as well as their shell shock, is palpable, but it is the men's love for each other that resonates. This is a remarkable achievement.
Customer Reviews
In Memoriam
What a read! My first book finished in Jan 2026 whilst I have a detox from doom scrolling and twitter. I will be viewing the Remembrance Day this year differently after reading this book. Those poor young men. An historical account entwined with a same sex love story. What’s not to like? Probably one of my favourite books to read. Thank you Alice Winn x
Beautiful and shocking
A much needed reminder of the sacrifices made and the beyond imaginable sufferings of the young men who fought in WW1. Along side the horrific atrocities is a beautiful love story.
I BEAUTIFUL WORK OF HISTORICAL LITERATURE
In memoriam is a story that vividly depicted the First World War. The book got. Me captivated from the first page to the last! I have cried, I have awe, I have laughed and I have learnt new words. The detailed events of the war in the book, showed the work of an author that wasn’t lazy, but put her all into in-depth research to give her readers a beautiful piece to read.
I read this book with ease, I never wanted to drop it, I was so captivated that I did not even wish for the book to end! The story is so beautiful. Alice explored queer love to be so pure and gracious to intriguing. I was disappointed as almost all the characters I was in love with,died. But what did I expect?
I’m so happy this is my first read for 2025! This book has helped steer me up for a year filled with great reads!