Review: After Dunkirk

After Dunkirk by Lee Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is very difficult, I am certain, to write a true epic in the manner of Herman Wouk. This book is an attempt at that, and is not bad. One challenge for me was in the many characters/names, and a certain lack in development of those characters. I kept expecting a sweeping story to develop, and it seemed to remain in its infancy. The writing was well done, and the story definitely kept a good pace. I always looked forward to returning to this book, as it was building toward the climax.

However, without trying to reveal too much, the climax between the reunion of two main characters fell flat. I kept seeing moments where I thought "this would be the perfect time for a reunion," only to be left waiting. When it finally happened, it felt anti-climactic and left me a bit disappointed. I expect the interaction of these two characters to be a story line in future books in the series, so I hate that their "big moment" fell flat in this start to the series. And after that climax, their meandering did no favors to my enthusiasm for seeing where it goes. However, the overall ending still left me wanting to go on to the second book ... but not right away. I'll take a break, read something different, and perhaps come back to this series.

View all my reviews