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The First Casualty
- Narrated by: Glen McCready
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
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The First Casualty
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Summary
Flanders, June 1917: a British officer and celebrated poet, is shot dead, killed not by German fire, but while recuperating from shell shock well behind the lines. A young English soldier is arrested and, although he protests his innocence, charged with his murder.
Douglas Kingsley is a conscientious objector, previously a detective with the London police, now imprisoned for his beliefs. He is released and sent to France in order to secure a conviction. Forced to conduct his investigations amidst the hell of The Third Battle of Ypres, Kingsley soon discovers that both the evidence and the witnesses he needs are quite literally disappearing into the mud that surrounds him.Ben Elton's tenth novel is a gut-wrenching historical drama which explores some fundamental questions. What is murder? What is justice in the face of unimaginable daily slaughter? And where is the honour in saving a man from the gallows if he is only to be returned to die in a suicidal battle?
As the gap between legally-sanctioned and illegal murder becomes ever more blurred, Kingsley quickly learns that the first casualty when war comes is truth.
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What listeners say about The First Casualty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- gemma
- 19-06-16
brilliant
wow ben elton. fantastic writer. echoes/phrases of blackadder. loved it. u are a pure genius
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 17-08-16
One of Ben Elton's best.
The portrail of the characters by the narrator was exceptional.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book which, although references the politics of the time, and allows the customary rant by Mr Elton, mainly deals with conscience and duty.
Absolutely brilliant.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline Curbishley
- 27-02-15
Brilliance from Ben Elton.
Where does The First Casualty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I've listened to thousands of Audio books over the years, so this is a bit of an unfair question because I have probably forgotten more than many people have read. However, The First Casualty ranks in the top ten of the last 12 months.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Kingsley because he is so much a gentleman of his time. They don't make them like that anymore. I was rooting for him all the way.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The scene in the car after Kingsley was taken from the prison and was pretending to be asleep. It had me on the edge of my seat. I had to stop ironing and turn up the volume. Vey exciting.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Oh, definitely the scene where Kingsley climbs into his son's bedroom.
Any additional comments?
The tone of the book very cleverly evoked the time of it's setting. Top marks for research to Ben Elton. The narrator was absolutely superb too. He got those voices of the men and the masters of the First World War to perfection. It's a great polemic on the folly and fabrication that accompanies all warfare.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lee
- 01-01-19
The First Casualty
I read the abridged version and really enjoyed it. This was so much better. Life in the trenches was so well described I could almost taste the mud! Bravo Mr Elton! Hope there’s a follow up.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- MikeyC
- 16-12-12
Great story
Brings out the horrors of war coupled with a great story. Can't wait to listen to the Two Brothers by the same author. Also very well read
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joe Hunter
- 17-12-22
One of my all time favourites
An exceptionally engaging and well written novel from one of my all-time favourite writers. This and Two Brothers demonstrate how much thought and research went into creating a wonderful narrative against a backdrop of wartime history. A must-listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Robert West
- 05-12-22
Macabre yet strangely uplifting.
A vivid account of military and civilian life during WWII together with an unusual but gripping murder investigation. The detail and evident research that has gone into this book is wonderful and the experience has left an indelible imprint on my perception of the hell that was the 3rd battle of Ypres and life on the front. Glen McCredy brings the whole thing to life, so-much-so that I have sought out other novels that he has lent his considerably enlivening vocal renderings to. The more times I listen to this, the better it gets. I’ve just ordered the paperback for my dad’s Christmas present. Perhaps not seasonally appropriate but he’s not an appropriate sort of fellow!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ian Jenkinson
- 25-11-22
The First Casualty
Very gripping storyline that kept me wanting to listen to it when I could.
Story was told brilliantly.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Neil Sutcliffe
- 23-11-22
Well worth a listen
Somewhat far fetched but really enjoyable, covers a wide variety of opinions of war. The plot moves on at a pace and the discussions between characters is well developed. Would recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alexander
- 23-01-22
Excellent and authentic WW1 tale
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story, very well read and gave a fantastic insight in to the horrors of trench warfare and the brutal ironies associated
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Peter Morton
- 06-07-15
Not Elton's best
What did you like best about The First Casualty? What did you like least?
'The First Casualty' is a whodunnit which is really an excuse to take the reader into the trenches of WW1 and 'over the top' (twice). The plot has lots of holes - it's easy to guess the murderer because there are no other candidates, really. And why would the government use the hero for this secret assignment, when he is just about the most loathed and recognisable conscientious objector in Britain at the time? Surely it had other detectives? And surely he would have understood long before what awaited him in prison, as a hated policeman? No, the real purpose is to describe trench warfare, where the hero, despite his 'logical' objection to the war, turns into a killing machine in short order. In general, I found it difficult to see what we are supposed to take away from the novel. Not one of Elton's best, but as usual a page-turner.
Has The First Casualty turned you off from other books in this genre?
If by 'this genre' you mean books about WW1 the answer is no, although I think that event has had enough exposure for the time being.
What about Glen McCready’s performance did you like?
Excellent. At first I thought his voice a bit monotone, but actually he proved he could do a whole range of feeling and accents.
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
No.
Any additional comments?
Elton has an odd idea of what (most) suffragettes stood for. It was 'votes for women, chastity for men' in most cases. Extreme sexual promiscuity (of the kind his heroine displays, with her much re-used condom) wasn't on the agenda.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mohid Rizwan
- 16-05-18
Compilation was a bit troublesome
The chapters listed had no correlation with the actual chapters, and this made keeping track of where you were a bit difficult. Other than that it was a splendid book, keeping in with Ben Elton’s style. I would recommend this book and Ben Elton to anyone looking to understand history...but without all the boring facts and figures.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fey Gilo
- 08-09-16
Extraordinary
This book was totally wonderful! It took you to the darkest parts of WWI but managed to stay entertaining and it never felt maudlin. The writing was everything you might expect from the creator of Black Adder!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Daniel
- 26-05-15
Great read & a cracking story
Really great read that is well worth the credit!
The narration is superb which transports you back to the trenches & lets you get a flip a if the world in 1917...
I can highly recommend this as an addition to your library