358. Testament of Youth

Testament of Youth
Vera Brittain
1933
Around 688 pages

We've heard plenty of accounts from men during World War I, so it's interesting to get a woman's perspective from this era as well. It seems like being a woman during this time largely consisted of sitting around, waiting to hear if your loved one is dead yet.

Testament of Youth is a memoir of Brittain's life from 1900 to 1925. Are we allowing memoirs on the List? Is this even a novel? Oh well. Brittain originally plans on attending Oxford, but becomes a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse instead, once her life is directly affected by the Great War. It also describes her time at university and her attempts to become a respected journalist. 

We have now reached the era where authors can properly reflect on the War since it is finally over. Brittain is a very sympathetic narrator. The "disillusioned youth" is a common motif on this List, but Brittain manages to really make it fresh through her hopes and goals. We also get a frightening glimpse at how female writers were treated at the time. 

A long, but worthwhile read.

RATING: ***-

Interesting Facts:

First installment of Brittain's memoirs, which continue with The Testament of Friendship and The Testament of Experience.

UP NEXT: The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein. Snore.