Fraser’s memoirs of his service during the final days of the Burma Campaign are arguably his masterpiece – evocative, brilliant writing. Because it’s basically a series of sketches it adapts well to radio condensation. Much of the best stuff is here: the sketches of his fellow soldiers, the death of two friends, first time in action, first killing, a profile on General Slim. I didn’t expect to hear about the weird colonel but it was a shame to lose the profile on the Ghurkas. It’s also a pity they kept some of Fraser’s rantings about contemporary Britain and how everything’s gone downhill. I respect what Fraser did but the fact is he was a young single man who went through war just at the end – I don’t think that qualifies him to speak for the entire generation. Fraser himself narrates and it’s good to hear the correct pronunciation of things.
No comments:
Post a Comment