Items related to Spoils
Synopsis
A Guardian Book of the Year
'Spoils is a harrowing and incredibly powerful debut. I read this with awe.' Kate Atkinson
It is the spring of 2003 and coalition forces are advancing on Iraq. Images of a giant statue of Saddam Hussein crashing to the ground in Baghdad are being beamed to news channels around the world. Nineteen-year-old Specialist Cassandra Wigheard, on her first deployment since joining the US army two years earlier, is primed for war.
For Abu al-Hool, a jihadist since the days of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, war is wearing thin. Two decades of fighting – and the new wave of super-radicalised fighters joining the ranks in the wake of the September 11 attacks – have left him questioning his commitment to the struggle.
When Cassandra is taken prisoner by al-Hool’s mujahideen brotherhood, both fighters will find their loyalties tested to the very limits.
This fast-paced, hard-hitting account of eight weeks in the lives of a soldier and her captor forces us to reconsider the simplistic narratives of war spun by those in power. With its privileged insight into the reality of armed combat, Spoils shines a light on the uncertainty, fear and idealism that characterised the early days of one of the most important conflicts of our time.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
"A brilliantly written account of kidnap and conquest in the early years of the Iraq war." (Justine Jordan Guardian, Books of the Year)
"Clear, authentic and beautifully written, Spoils is a book about war for people who don’t like books about war. Van Reet gives us a thriller that is not a thriller, but a grave and fierce description of the moral battlefield behind the headlines from Iraq." (Anne Enright)
"Blisteringly good." (Daily Telegraph)
"Undeniably engrossing." (Observer)
"Brian Van Reet’s assured debut novel begins with one of the best opening chapters I’ve read... bear[s] eye-widening witness to valour, horror, violence, cruelty and absurdity... not only rewarding but necessary." (Guardian)
"An instant addition to the canon of must-read war novels." (Olivia Cole GQ)
"Uncompromisingly depicts the terror and pity of war." (Daily Mail)
"This is a raw study in the ruin of men. It's unapologetic and confessional, showing the flaws in humanity just below the skin." (Washington Post)
"Original, deftly plotted and incisively intelligent." (Wall Street Journal)
"A timely novel with striking relevance." (Economist)
Book Description
A Guardian Book of the Year
'I read this with awe. Spoils is a harrowing and incredibly powerful debut which shows war in all its complexity and viciousness and which attempts to humanise it through extraordinary and conflicted characters' Kate Atkinson
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherJonathan Cape
- Publication date2017
- ISBN 10 191070296X
- ISBN 13 9781910702963
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages272
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR008234311
Quantity: 3 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # GOR008436726
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Spoils This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781910702963
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0003637521
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781910702963
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1.06. Seller Inventory # 191070296X-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP98619752
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: Brit Books, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Used; Very Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 3723099
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: Greener Books, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Used; Very Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # 2817513
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Spoils
Seller: Jason Books, Auckland, AUCKL, New Zealand
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Proof copy. A Guardian Book of the YearWinner of The Writers' League of Texas Fiction Award 2017'Spoils is a harrowing and incredibly powerful debut. I read this with awe.' Kate AtkinsonIt is the spring of 2003 and coalition forces are advancing on Iraq. Images of a giant statue of Saddam Hussein crashing to the ground in Baghdad are being beamed to news channels around the world. Nineteen-year-old Specialist Cassandra Wigheard, on her first deployment since joining the US army two years earlier, is primed for war.For Abu al-Hool, a jihadist since the days of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, war is wearing thin. Two decades of fighting - and the new wave of super-radicalised fighters joining the ranks in the wake of the September 11 attacks - have left him questioning his commitment to the struggle.When Cassandra is taken prisoner by al-Hool?s mujahideen brotherhood, both fighters will find their loyalties tested to the very limits.This fast-paced, hard-hitting account of eight weeks in the lives of a soldier and her captor forces us to reconsider the simplistic narratives of war spun by those in power. With its privileged insight into the reality of armed combat, Spoilsshines a light on the uncertainty, fear and idealism that characterised the early days of one of the most important conflicts of our time. 2.6 Centimeters X 16.6 Centimeters X 24.2 Centimeters. Seller Inventory # 7854314
Quantity: 1 available