I have a ‘book locker’. It’s not real, but it is where I mentally store all my favourite books. In all my years of reading, only six have made it into that sacred space. I’ve set a high benchmark.

And it’s my benchmark. What I like, others may not. I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to recommend my favourite books to you. You’ll be better than me at finding the ones you love.

However, as 11 November draws nearer, I would like to mention one of the six; A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry. For me, it’s both brutal and beautiful.

Brutal because it draws you into the horror of World War One trench warfare like no other.

Beautiful because of the way it captures the relationships between human beings in the harshest of conditions.

For those struggling to understand what war is like, and for those who may not be worried about the possibility of future wars, I am willing to contradict myself and commend this book to you.   

On 11 November, and on Remembrance Sunday, let’s take a minute to think about those who’ve sacrificed themselves for our freedom, and those who, today, are fighting to save theirs.