'Quartered Safe Out Here' by George MacDonald Fraser is a World War II memoir that offers a vivid and honest account of the author's experiences as a soldier in Burma. The book delves into the life of a British infantryman on the frontlines, providing a personal view of the 'forgotten war'. Fraser's writing style includes phonetically spelled out accents and recreated conversations, bringing the characters to life and immersing the reader in the day-to-day struggles and camaraderie of the soldiers. The author candidly recounts the horrors of war, the challenges of memory recall, and his reflections on the past, all set against the backdrop of the XIV Army campaign in Burma.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is crisp and engaging, characterized by humor and vibrant descriptions that bring characters and situations to life, often infused with regional dialect.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the author's flawed yet captivating reflections on his service in Burma during World War II, particularly emphasizing his experiences with a small unit and their battles.

Setting:

The setting is in Burma during the latter stages of World War II, vividly portraying the challenges and realities faced by soldiers.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates between humorous anecdotes and intense combat, occasionally slowing due to detailed dialects, but generally keeps the reader engaged.

THE FIRST TIME I SMELT JAP was in a deep dry-river bed in the Dry Belt, somewhere near Meiktila. I can no more describe the smell than I could describe a colour, but it was heavy and pungent and compo...

Genres:

military memoir

historical account

biography

Topics:

world war ii

burma campaign

british imperial army

camaraderie in war

soldiers' experiences

historical reflection

soldier's perspective

gleeful camaraderie

Notes:

George MacDonald Fraser served as a 19-year-old infantryman in the Border Regiment during WWII in Burma.

His memoir was published in 1992, many years after his experiences in the war.

Fraser's book offers a soldier's perspective on the Burma campaign, contrasting with more traditional officer accounts.

The title of the book comes from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Gunga Din', adding an ironic twist to his experiences.

Fraser's writing is noted for its humor, vivid characters, and engaging storytelling, much like his Flashman series.

The book depicts daily life and the humor of soldiers, along with the seriousness of combat.

Fraser used phonetic dialogue to capture the Cumbrian dialect of his section, which some readers found challenging but authentic.

He reflects critically on modern attitudes towards war and the psychological problems faced by soldiers after returning from combat.

The memoir discusses important battles like Meiktila, Mandalay, and the Irrawaddy River operations.

Fraser's candidness about his memories and the limits of recollection makes the book a relatable read.

From The Publisher:

George MacDonald Fraser-beloved for his series of Flashman historical novels-offers an action-packed memoir of his experiences in Burma fighting the Japanese during World War II. "An excellent popular historian." -Time Magazine

In this rattling-good memoir, novelist, historian, and screenwriter Fraser vividly recounts the nerve-racking frontline action he saw while serving as a nineteen-year-old soldier during what turned out to be the last great land campaign of World War II-the British army's ferocious campaign against the Japanese in Burma. The realism of his story, combined with the skills of a talented novelist, create a book of sentiment and excitement. This is unforgettable reading, both for fans of Fraser's novels and for anyone interested in one of the great battles of World War II.

Fraser offers a firsthand glimpse at the camaraderie, danger, and satisfactions of service. A substantial epilogue, occasioned by the fiftieth anniversary of V-J Day in 1995, adds poignancy to a volume that eminent military historian John Keegan described as "one of the great personal memoirs of the Second World War."

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