This was as full of atmosphere as I've come to expect. You have a really good eye for surroundings and manage to imbue them with the emotions of the story. I loved the phrase "left him the golden heat of the farm". The progression through a peaceful life, only to have it shattered by war, was well done. Although I felt I could see the countryside, I wasn't sure where this was meant to be, or even if it was a real or imaginary place and would have liked a bit more signposting for that. I also felt that, in the first half particularly, there were lots of very long sentences held together with commas. The first one or two of these were fine, setting the atmosphere of nostalgia and remembrance, but by the third paragraph I was finding them hard to read smoothly. A little rephrasing and using connecting words would help it flow a little better. This was lovely stuff, and makes we want to go and read the book! May have to go in search...Jx

Hey, Ludi! Long time no speak! I was afraid you'd dropped off the planet for a while there. Anyway, your writing is better than ever, my dear. Keep it up!