Shadows of Glory

Shadows of Glory by William Woodruff, published by Little, Brown Book Group Limited in 2003, is a fiction novel that explores the lives of an Oxford University rowing eight as they navigate the challenges of the Second World War. Set in 1938, the story introduces a diverse group of characters united by their passion for rowing and a looming sense of duty to their country. The narrative delves into their individual backgrounds and relationships, highlighting their varied personalities and the impact of war on their lives.
Readers will find a poignant depiction of camaraderie and the human experience as the characters face the realities of conflict. The novel presents themes of faith, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, illustrating how the war alters their fates. As the story unfolds, the fortunes of the crew members shift dramatically, with some meeting tragic ends while others grapple with personal struggles. Shadows of Glory offers a reflective look at a generation caught between sport and the harsh realities of war, all within its 358 pages.
Official synopsis Publisher
Woodruff’s novel is about the fortunes of an Oxford University rowing eight, leading up to and during the Second World War. 1938: the Arnold College crew are a varied bunch, united only by the love of their sport and a sense that theirs is a generation which may have to fight for king and country. There’s Charley Bradbury, a Scottish Communist and pacifist; David Evans, a chorister and super-boffin; Roger Blundell a witty dandy;Tony Markham, heir to a substantial estate and brother to four Mitford-type sisters; Pat Riley, charming somewhat mysterious Irishman; Alex Haverfield, handsome and a natural leader; Max Elsfield a dangerous self-destructive drinker and Bill Clark a naval cadet. As the war progresses they are gradually whittled away. Some, like Max Elsfield and David Evans, have been unhappy in love and have brought about their own destruction through reckless assaults on the enemy. Others like Charley Bradbury have had the bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – torpedoed on a passenger vessel from Russia. Ultimately this – like the Nab End stories – is a book about common humanity: the importance of virtues such as faith, loyalty and self-sacrifice.
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