“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand is an epic narrative about the Second World War, written within the confines of the history of one person. It cannot be read in snatches, it cannot even be heard. It is necessary to read this story, read its every word, see its imprint, understand and realize it. Hillenbrand’s language is a balance between the biography, statistics and literary work. Probably, it is a “journalistic investigation”. There are no Hollywood drama and sublime epithets. There are many real facts and a text, where the every detail matters. Its “minimalism” will give a peculiar shock, because there are many souls and lives, which the author could feel. It is impossible to be indifferent to the story of the main character, other soldiers, their mothers and fathers, siblings, wives and children. It becomes almost unbearable to read about the suffering of Louis Zamperini (the main hero), because it is psychologically difficult.
The book narrates about the monstrous cruelty in the prisoner-of-war camps, broken young people, broken lives…pain, hunger and fear. However, the endless hope to survive in the terrible and unbearable conditions and the incredible endurance of the human mind, dignity, spirit and body teach the reader to be strong and never give up. Reading the book, the events are so tangible that it chills to the marrow. It is the most emotional, painfully penetrating, heartbreaking story of the events of the Second World War.
Nowadays, such books are needed as never before. Such themes are very important for children in our spoiled contemporary world. However, the ability to understand them is impossible. Everyone, who is 16 year old, must read the book to realize what the war is. The lessons of History are useless to explain our children about the war, but it is easy to understand it by the example of the real human life.
The book will show the real statistics of the war’s consequences. People should read it to understand their existence, make sure that the war is an ambiguous and unjust thing and those people, who are against the war, often suffer from it. This story will help to appreciate all dearest people and everything that you have.
“Unbroken” has an excellent language of the narrative and an amazing plot. The reader should learn the story to the end, because the screenplay shows only a part of the book. Moreover, the Second World War shows its own real events. Thanks to the book, the reader will be able to feel the pain, the horror of every moment, but at the same time, you can feel the joy of Victory and freedom.
This story deserves to be read. Yes, probably most of the readers will say that Louis Zamperini did nothing courageous. Nevertheless, he still has humanity. In addition, his struggle, endurance, hardest fate with a successful conclusion, strength of mind, persistence and perseverance are the greatest traits of his character, which all readers will want to have. It is a very difficult, but truly instructive book.
