I think it's hard for writers to be this funny, and I laughed out loud several times while reading this. I definitely want to read the book this apparently came from, and it also reminded me a lot of Starship Troopers because of its over-the-top satire. Thanks so much to NetGalley for approving me to read a copy of this. I hope I can find more by this author.

6 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/01/09/the-good-soldier-by-nir-yaniv-review/

Supposedly a bastardization of Jaroslav Hašek’s classic, The Good Soldier Svejk, I’d say it’s probably a good thing that I’d never read the original, as I saw a few reviews blasting it for a cheap knockoff. A some that went even further.

As it was, the Good Soldier tells a—while not exactly succinct, then—tolerable version of the work it’s inspired by; a humorous anecdote regarding the futilities of war. If not society as a whole. It’s not a bad story, all told, though more than a bit on the nose at times, and a bit blatant further on. And as it descended into full-on Noam Chomsky, I found the humor rapidly disappeared with it.

Fux is a bit of a mystery. Origins partially known at best. Self-professed Idiot—second-class, in fact—he casually disarms his superiors through nonsense and flattery, and ingratiates himself with his squadmates via humor and carefully timed competence. He never runs a POV, but is told through a rotation of 7-10 characters, all of them military to some degree. As a character, he’s quite interesting, if a bit juvenile. As—with the story itself—the author makes a few foolish assumptions. 1) That most humans are basically the same, and (2) that life isn’t a chaotic whirlwind. Fux’s act works on basically everyone. He pulls the same tricks over and over, yet somehow manages to escape punishment for it every time. I know it’s the author’s way of conveying their contempt for the military, but I found it just a lazy form of storytelling, rather than the satire that it was undoubtedly aimed as.

I’m not a big fan of satire. Or plots that you have to analyze over and over to reveal some message within regarding the nature of life. I like books that take me away from the here and now, adventures and mysteries that visit fantastical places and meet ancient gods and unearth nightmarish treasures. I’m not in it to mock the futility or war or the existential crisis that is nationalism and political division. If one were to ask my thoughts on such subjects, I’d probably shrug and tell them I didn’t care. I mean, I do, but not enough to expound on it for four hundred pages. Nor to craft my beliefs into a novel that one has to interpret to discover them.

TL;DR

Thus. As an anecdote on the futility of the current human direction—I rate this a meh. Couldn’t give a damn. As a humorous adventure—it’s… goooood? Better than I’d’ve expected being a retelling of some classic that people would apparently live and die for, yet not the second coming of such literature. Moreover, it’s an interesting enough ride that really goes downhill towards the conclusion, before leaving its readers to answer a majority of the many questions it poses. Seriously—it really falls apart at the end. Yet the journey there is still entertaining, even consistently so (til about the 85% mark). Still recommended, but not highly. An interesting if forgettable distraction.

I have received an ARC via NetGalley and I am voluntarily providing an honest review.

HA this was hilarious!! A sci-fi spin on "The Good Soldier in the Great War", I won't lie I got roped into the book because of the cover! This comic read had me laughing aloud and chasing my husband as I told him what had just happened last!

"The Good Soldier" takes Hanlon's razor ("Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence") and starts slicing and dicing at the Orwellian totalitarian regime. There seems to be a commentary here on wars where soldiers don't know where they're going, who they're fighting, and why, if only I could put my finger on it....lol. It's like a mashup of "Starship Troopers", "The Great Escape", and "No Time For Sergeants". I only wish there was an audiobook so I could listen to it on road trips!

This was such a treat!

A funny take on the incompetence and cruelty of any system, but especially of certain dictatorships, and how they are stunting themselves with it. Moreover, an equally funny take on such incompetent, self-destructive cruel systems waging war - and how futile that subsequently is.

The characters and worldbuilding were both great and I enjoyed the writing tremendously (I love alliterations). Best of all was that the humour really worked for me. I chuckled on every page but burst out laughing almost as often.

There are very few times in my life that I have failed to finish a book because I felt it was so poorly written. But this book is a travesty and an insult to Jaroslav Hašek (and to the 'Good Soldier Svejk') which it tries to copy.

Svejk was a story of ineptitude (not completed) by a poor 'soul' who had the sorrowful situation of having been drafted into the Austro-Hungarian Army during WWi. But this 'Soldier' is just an idiot as is everyone around him.

The comparison to Svejk is like comparing "Gone With the Wind" to "L'il Abner" which would be an insult to both of them.

The only question remaining is WHO was DUMB enough to agree to publish this .....Next time do it on toilet paper so that it serves a useful purpose.

The Good Soldier
The Good Soldier by Nir Yaniv
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I admit I HAD to read this book based on practically nothing more than the cover. I'm not usually so shallow, but it SCREAMED to me. And then, when I read that Tidhar and he collaborated, it bacame a done deal.

Upon reading, I feel vindicated. It's a very Catch-22 kind of novel, funny, SF space-fleet, and it glorifies all Second Class Idiots everywhere.

First Class Idiots aren't quite official. It's an honorary title.

Clever, subversive, and refreshingly old-school military humor. Everything, at all times, is perfectly functional. Sometimes it's even more functional than the other times when it is perfectly functional, but that's kinda always the point.

Great fun.

Gives me the fallout vibes with the cover and the book is awesome so far. I love the story so far. Well worth the time so far. I hope to see more of this type of book.

"The Good Soldier" by Nir Yaniv is an absolute gem that left me utterly captivated and awestruck. This mind-bending masterpiece transcends traditional genres, seamlessly blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, and psychological thriller into a narrative that is as profound as it is thrilling.

Yaniv's storytelling is nothing short of brilliant, weaving a complex tapestry of interconnected characters and timelines that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The narrative unfolds with precision, revealing layer upon layer of mystery and intrigue. The author's ability to seamlessly navigate between different perspectives and timelines showcases a level of mastery that is truly impressive.

The characters in "The Good Soldier" are vividly crafted, each with their own quirks, flaws, and depth that make them feel incredibly real. As the story delves into their psyches, I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys, questioning the nature of morality, consciousness, and the consequences of one's actions.

What sets this book apart is Yaniv's unique and imaginative approach to storytelling. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns that challenge the reader's perceptions, keeping them guessing until the final pages. The exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and the nature of reality adds a layer of intellectual depth that elevates this novel beyond the ordinary.

The prose is beautifully written, with a poetic quality that enhances the atmospheric and surreal nature of the story. Yaniv's command over language is impressive, creating a vivid and immersive experience that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page.

In conclusion, "The Good Soldier" is a thought-provoking, genre-defying triumph that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Nir Yaniv has crafted a literary masterpiece that challenges the boundaries of storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on anyone fortunate enough to embark on this unforgettable journey. Highly recommended for those who crave a truly immersive and intellectually stimulating reading experience!

I was given an advance release copy via NetGallery for this book.

Four Stars for the Good Soldier by Nir Yaniv. . I want more of this proto Germanic space going civilzation.

The main character Fux is an Amelia Bedelia who accidentally breaks the fascist mechanisms of the Empire. The first 75% of this book is practically perfect. The ending kind of just stops, keeping this book from a perfect 5 stars.

The Good Soldier is a classic anti-war novel, in the vein of Catch 22, Bill the Galactic Hero, and the Forever War. It is consciously absurdist and lays on the satire with a heavy hand. If you don’t get the references, there is a handy guide at the end of the book, but those familiar with SF in particular will get the knowing allusions, particularly to Heinlein. Protagonist Fux is an enigma at the start and an enigma at the end; is he an “idiot second class” or a conscious actor in the unraveling of the teetering and totalitarian empire? The equally enigmatic Captain, who appears briefly but is at the philosophical center of the book, implies he is much more, and his actions seem to support that. Yaniv is a writer who knows modern fiction, space opera, and the fundamentals of the military and he uses this all to good effect in the fine, small press offering. A winner from Edward Willett’s ShadowpawnPress.