Book Review: Angel Down: A Novel by Daniel Kraus
When I stumbled upon Angel Down, the title echoed with a certain allure that piqued my curiosity, but it was the promise of a fallen angel amidst the horrors of World War I that thrust me into its pages. Daniel Kraus, known for his inventive storytelling, has once again captivated and challenged readers with a narrative that is both beautifully poetic and hauntingly visceral. As I turned the pages, I found myself immersed in a world where humanity’s darkest corners collide with unexpected moments of light—an experience that left me breathless and introspective.
At the heart of this gripping tale is Private Cyril Bagger, a soldier surviving the brutalities of the Great War through a mix of wits and deception. His story takes a dramatic turn when he and four other soldiers venture into No Man’s Land, tasked with an unspeakable mission to euthanize a fellow comrade. Instead of the anticipated confrontation with mortality, they encounter a celestial being—a fallen angel whose presence offers a flicker of hope in a barren landscape of despair. The tension mounts as their individual desires and fears threaten to unravel any chance of unity among them.
Kraus’s writing style is a testament to his unique voice. The narrative unfolds almost as a single-flowing sentence, peppered with commas and “and’s” that mimic the chaotic rhythm of wartime. Some may find this unconventional structure disorienting, but I reveled in its adrenaline-pumping pace. The technique fosters an immersive experience—one that plunges readers headfirst into the emotional turmoil of the characters. There’s an undeniable urgency in the prose, underscoring themes of survival, greed, jealousy, and redemption. One memorable quote encapsulates this beautifully: “The war won’t ever end… a sentence doomed to loop back on itself.” It resonated with me as a striking reminder of how easily one can be caught in cycles of despair.
The characters in Angel Down are multifaceted and deeply human, embodying the struggle between self-preservation and altruism. Bagger’s moral dilemmas and the collective inner demons of the soldiers illustrate how war can distort the essence of humanity. Readers who appreciate complex characters grappling with their own flaws will find a lot to connect with here.
As I closed the final chapter, Angel Down left me with a bittersweet sense of contemplation. This extraordinary narrative is not for everyone; those looking for a straightforward war story may be challenged by its unconventional presentation. However, for readers who appreciate ambitious literary endeavors and are willing to embrace the discomfort of the human experience, Kraus’s work is a masterpiece worth exploring.
In conclusion, Angel Down is a poignant meditation on the nature of conflict and the human spirit. Whether you’re a devoted fan of speculative fiction or simply curious about the profound questions raised in the face of war, this novel promises to linger in your thoughts long after the last page is turned. Pick it up if you want to feel deeply, grapple with moral complexities, and reflect on the fragile, often chaotic tapestry of life.