Powerful message

I think the anti-war message resonates most strongly with young people; they have less life experience and thus less tendency towards cynicism. The younger and more innocent we are, the choice not to fight seems much simpler than it really is. With age we discover that pacifism alone is not an answer, as well we learned in WW II, when nations that tried to be neutral were crushed under The Third Reich. Many other examples abound throughout history and I do not want to become boring citing them all. War exists because good cannot exist without evil, and human beings, all of us, need our heroes and yes, villains was not well. Without suffering we could not experience great joy and Testament of Youth illustrates this message as well. When we leave innocence behind, wisdom takes its place although of course, we never stop learning as we continue through life. And most of us, being good people, never stop believing in the possibility of peace on earth, because this goal, even if it is ultimately unattainable, brings out the good in all of us.

Now it's the Ukraine, war might have a sad purpose in this world,but the cons outweigh the pros. I felt for Vera, to lose her friend, fiancee and brother in warfare.

The book is superlative. I read it once only, but I intend to read it again next year.