Through the Wheat

"Through the Wheat" by Thomas Boyd is a story about the harsh lives of soldiers in World War I. It mainly follows Private William Hicks, who faces the awful truths of war, which are nothing like the grand adventure he thought it would be when he joined the army. The story shows how war can mess with your mind and feelings, highlighting the silly and cruel things soldiers had to deal with on the battle lines. At the beginning, the book makes you feel sad as it shows Hicks feeling let down by being in the army while stuck in a village in northern France. He's really annoyed that he's just doing boring jobs instead of fighting, and he misses having a reason to be there during the terrible times. The story quickly shows Hicks hanging out with his fellow soldiers, showing how they support each other and share tough times as they get ready for a big battle. The detailed descriptions makes you feel sorry for them, hinting at the mess that's about to come when they're thrown into the middle of the fighting.