Memorial Day: From fiction to satire, here is a list of 7 gripping war novels you must read

Memorial Day is an annual observance by the US on the last Monday of May to honour and mourn the military personnel who died serving their country Even though the holidayrsquos exact origins are unknown some of the traditions can be traced back to the American Civil War Honouring the sacrifices of soldiers is a universal sentiment Whether you enjoy reading memoirs or fiction we have rounded up a list of diverse war novels that take you to front lines across the worldA Farewell to Arms by Ernest HemingwayPublished in 1929 this wartime fiction book was Ernest Hemingwayrsquos first bestseller Set in the Italian campaign of the First World War the story follows Frederic Henry an American ambulance driver who falls for Catherine Barkley an English nurse Fuelled by Hemingwayrsquos personal experiences during the war the book never fails to move its readers The novelrsquos popularity led to several stage and screen adaptations including the 1996 movie In Love and War by Richard AttenboroughAt Hellrsquos Gate by Claude ThomasThe book is a firsthand account of the journey of Claude Thomas an American veteran from a soldier serving in Vietnam to becoming a Zen monk who travels to wartorn places across the world Readers get to experience his subsequent emotional collapse and eventual progress towards healing Part spiritual travelogue part comingofage story this book makes for a wholly good readSlaughterhouseFive by Kurt Vonnegut JrConsidered to be among the worlds great antiwar books SlaughterhouseFive is centred on the firebombing of Dresden Set during the Second World War the story follows Billy Pilgrim from his early years as an American soldier to the postwar years The story is infused with elements of sciencefiction as the lead character gets kidnapped by aliens somewhere in the middle His journey through time has resonated with readers across the globeRedeployment by Phil KayThe book contains twelve short stories each detailing experiences of soldiers as well as civilians who were deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq The author shares a thought provoking account that takes readers to the war front lines Redeployment gives us a realistic peek into the life of a soldier one that is full of extremes and psychological conflictsShoot Like a Girl by Major Mary Jennings HegarMajor MJ Hegar has served multiple tours in Afghanistan as a combat pilot In her memoir she shares with us tales of extraordinary courage during searchandrescue missions alongside the battle she fought to end the US militaryrsquos Ground Combat Exclusion Policy which prevented female personnel from officially serving in combat rolesCatch 22 by Joseph HellerA satirical novel set in Italy during the Second World War Catch 22 follows bombardier John Yossarian an American soldier The nonlinear storylines depict the absurdity of war as well as military life through the Yossarian and his group The author uses a distinctive thirdperson narration describing events from the points of view of different characters A sequel Closing Time was published by Heller in 1961Ashleys War The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield by Gayle Tzemach LemmonA New York Times bestseller the book tells us a gripping story of a group of female soldiers who are a part of the Cultural Support Teams CST in Afghanistan The CST was established in 2010 by the American military to insert women into special operations and the mission was to connect with local women and gather crucial intelligence The author transports civilians to a reality that seems nonexistent as she deep dives into the lives of these women the challenges they faced and the bonds they formed