In the fog-shrouded trenches of World War I, where the line between life and death blurs like watercolors on wet canvas, Katherine Arden weaves a tale that is equal parts heartbreaking and spellbinding. “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” is a novel that defies easy categorization, much like the war it depicts—a conflict that straddled two worlds, one foot in the age of cavalry charges and the other in the era of machine guns and poison gas.
Arden, known for her enchanting Winternight trilogy, brings her talent for blending historical detail with touches of the supernatural to a new, grittier landscape. This time, instead of the snow-covered forests of medieval Russia, we find ourselves in the mud and blood of Flanders fields, where the ghosts of fallen soldiers linger like mist in the early morning light.
A Tale of Two Siblings, Separated by War and Fate
At the heart of this haunting narrative are Laura and Freddie Iven, Canadian siblings caught in the merciless gears of the Great War. Laura, a combat nurse scarred both physically and emotionally by her experiences, receives word of Freddie’s death in the trenches. But something doesn’t add up, and Laura – driven by love, grief, and a gnawing suspicion – embarks on a perilous journey back to the battlefields of Belgium to uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, we follow Freddie’s harrowing experiences in November 1917, as he awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded German soldier named Hans Winter. Their unlikely alliance and desperate struggle for survival form the backbone of a narrative that explores the bonds forged in the crucible of war, transcending national boundaries and the artificial divisions of “us” and “them.”
The Enigmatic Faland: A Modern Mephistopheles?
As Laura and Freddie’s stories unfold in parallel, we’re introduced to one of the most intriguing characters I’ve encountered in recent historical fiction: the mysterious Faland. Part hotelier, part violinist, and entirely unsettling, Faland offers shell-shocked soldiers a chance to forget their traumas through his otherworldly music and potent wine. But at what cost?
Arden’s depiction of Faland is masterful, walking a tightrope between the supernatural and the all-too-human. Is he a demon preying on the vulnerable, or simply a man who has found a way to profit from the horrors of war? The ambiguity adds layers of depth to the story, forcing us to question the nature of memory, trauma, and the lengths to which we’ll go to escape our darkest experiences.
A Vivid Portrayal of the Great War’s Physical and Psychological Toll
What sets “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” apart from many other World War I novels is Arden’s unflinching portrayal of the conflict’s brutality, balanced with moments of surprising tenderness and humanity. Her descriptions of life in the trenches are visceral and haunting.
But amidst the horror, Arden finds moments of grace. The relationship that develops between Freddie and Hans Winter is particularly poignant, showing how shared suffering can bridge even the widest of divides. Their scenes together are some of the most powerful in the book, reminding us of the fundamental humanity that persists even in the darkest of times.
The Psychological Scars of War
Equally compelling is Arden’s exploration of the war’s psychological impact. Through Laura’s experiences as a nurse and her later quest to find Freddie, we see the myriad ways trauma manifests—in nightmares, in survivor’s guilt, in the desperate need to cling to hope even when all seems lost.
The author doesn’t shy away from depicting “shell shock” (what we now recognize as PTSD) in all its devastating forms. There’s a particularly haunting scene where Laura encounters a ward full of men driven to the brink of madness by their experiences:
“Some rocked silently, others muttered to themselves, eyes fixed on horrors only they could see. One man was methodically folding and refolding a bloodstained letter, his fingers moving with the precision of a machine.”
A Masterclass in Atmosphere and Tension
Arden’s prose is, as always, a thing of beauty. She has a gift for creating atmosphere, whether it’s the eerie stillness of no man’s land or the feverish energy of a field hospital during a push. The novel is steeped in a sense of otherworldliness, where the veil between life and death, reality and hallucination, seems gossamer-thin.
The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ratcheting up the tension. I found myself holding my breath during Freddie and Hans’ desperate escape from the pillbox, and my heart raced as Laura pieced together the clues about her brother’s fate. Arden knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats, balancing action with quieter moments of introspection and character development.
A Critique of War’s Absurdities
While “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” is not an overtly political novel, Arden doesn’t shy away from critiquing the absurdities and injustices of war. Through Laura’s eyes, we see the stark contrast between the generals in their comfortable châteaux and the men dying in the mud. There’s a particularly biting scene where Laura attends a dinner party with high-ranking officers, the opulence of their surroundings a jarring counterpoint to the suffering she’s witnessed.
The novel also touches on the treatment of deserters and those suffering from psychological trauma, highlighting the cruelty of a system that viewed shell shock as cowardice rather than a genuine medical condition.
Themes of Memory, Guilt, and the Search for Meaning
At its core, “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” is a meditation on memory – both the comfort it can provide and the ways it can haunt us. Faland’s offer of oblivion through his music and wine is tempting to many, but the novel asks us to consider: Is forgetting truly healing, or just another form of death?
The guilt carried by survivors is another prominent theme. Laura grapples with her inability to save everyone, while Freddie struggles with the weight of his actions in the trenches. Arden explores how we reconcile our ideals with the harsh realities of war, and whether redemption is possible in the face of unspeakable acts.
A Critique: Pacing and Character Development
If I have one critique of the novel, it’s that the pacing in the middle section can occasionally lag. There are moments where Laura’s investigation feels repetitive, and I found myself impatient to return to Freddie’s storyline. Additionally, while Laura and Freddie are richly drawn characters, some of the secondary figures could have benefited from further development.
These are minor quibbles, however, in an otherwise masterful work. Arden’s ability to blend historical accuracy with elements of the fantastic is truly impressive, and the emotional resonance of the story lingers long after the final page is turned.
Conclusion: A Haunting Masterpiece
“The Warm Hands of Ghosts” is a tour de force, a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Katherine Arden has crafted a story that is at once a gripping historical drama, a poignant exploration of the human cost of war, and a supernatural mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
This is not an easy read—the horrors of trench warfare are depicted unflinchingly, and the emotional weight of the characters’ experiences is palpable. But it is a deeply rewarding one, offering insights into a pivotal moment in history while never losing sight of the individual human stories at its heart.
For readers who appreciate historical fiction with a touch of the uncanny, for those fascinated by the psychological impact of war, or for anyone who simply loves a beautifully crafted story, “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” is an absolute must-read. It’s a testament to the power of human resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is light to be found – if we have the courage to reach for it.