The Red Badge of Courage Book Review

                                           THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE

                                                         STEPHEN CRANE

                                                                (1871-1900)  

    Stephen Crane wrote The Red Badge of Courage at the age of twenty- one. It is considered his masterpiece. It takes place during the middle of the Civil War. It follows the story of a youthful union private who enlists himself in the army. The style of the book is very slow moving and not much action. He wants a wound because he thinks that a wound is a red badge of courage. 

        What I liked most about the story was how the author really followed the young boy in his thoughts and feelings so sometimes it makes you feel like you’re the boy.  The boy is determined to be a hero but finds that he is afraid of fighting he is so afraid that he runs away from his regiment.This is one of his thoughts from early in the book, “he had, of course dreamed of battles all his life-of vague and bloody conflicts that had thrilled him with there sweep and fire.” But later in the book the boy goes crazy about hating his foes.  

     I liked this book even though it wasn’t an easy read and I hope you will like it too.