Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60416 in Books
• Published on: 1983-10-27
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Synopsis
Set in the years 1914 to 1918, "An Ice Cream War" follows the fortunes of two English brothers who enlist and fight in German East Africa. Contrasting the vibrant chaos of East Africa with the quiet gentility of Edwardian England, the novel tracks the brothers' very different but equally tragic experiences in the war and the pressures and sorrows of those they leave at home.

Customer Reviews

Boring
I took this book with me to climb the Kilimanjaro, thinking I needed something entertaining to read as I lay alone in the tent on the cold nights going up. It was an absolute bore though... Thinking that the book may tell of the often ironic proxy war (very violent nevertheless) that took place in East Africa during WWI, it is hardly contains any explanations or historical facts. Instead, and here my expectations were likely unmatched by the actual storyline, it was a sorry of overly sexually obsessed Englishmen, an estranged brother and son, and an obsessed American caught up in the whole thing. I didn't identify with any of the characters, and with nothing else to read, it was just too boring to finish while going to the top of the Kilimanjaro.
Hugely disappointing.

Clever, informative, and an enjoyable read
The other reviews have summarised what the book is about. I will explain why I think it is so worth while reading.

An Ice-cream War tracks the lives of a range of interesting characters whose lives are turned upside down (or destroyed) by the war. It starts with three or four separate threads which gradually converge to reach a climax of....I won't spoil it but will say that it is beautifully consistent with the only possible message one can draw from the war as seen by those caught up in it - pointless, random, gruesome and incomprehensible. Boyd has a terrific way of showing these different aspects in a way that is at the same time serious and funny.

He does all this while giving the reader a vivid feel for the times: the artificial complacent English world that was swept away by the war, and the awfulness of the war itself. Both of these we have all been told about but rarely have we seen them brought to life in a way that is both accurate and touches the heart.

The book additionally deserves thanks for bringing to light the achievement of the brilliant leader of the German forces in Africa. Von Lettow-Vorbeck, with a tiny contingent of troops, sucked in a massive part of the allies' fighting and support resources, made the only incursion in to British territory in the entire war, and taunted the allies into chasing him around Africa from the beginning of the war until after it ended.

Finally spare a thought for the Africans who were appallingly treated by both sides. The campaign in Africa was every bit as awful, if not worse, than the better known horrors of the trenches in France.

I heartily recommend this book.

One of Boyd's Best Books - but not an ice-cream in sight
Set in East Africa and Kent during the First world War, this story has every ingredient for a great story; passion, betrayal, love, hate, heroism, revenge, gallantry, stupidy, comedy, tragedy, in fact all human life.

The story has great pace that is maintained throughout. Whether they're loathsome or loveable all the characters are extremely well drawn and the way they deal with the events they are caught up in never fails to keep you facsinated.

William Boyd has a lightness of touch that enables him to deal with cruelty and futility in a way that doesn't leave you feeling down. He can be comical without being irreverent. In this respect he must be unique.