Review: The Warm Hands of Ghosts

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katherine Arden's The Warm Hands of Ghosts is an absolute gut-wrenching and gripping ride. This novel is the haunting exploration of trauma, resilience, and the continuous power of human connection in the foreground of war. I was very much moved both by the lyricism in Arden's words and by how profound and emotional her characters were.

The story interweaves two different narratives: November 1917, where we follow Freddie Iven, a young soldier stuck in the brutality of the Western Front, and January 1918, as his sister, Laura, tries to overcome her emotions after his supposed death.

Freddie's journey into the very heart of war is a horrific free fall into an abyss in which life and death are so inextricably linked, and reality itself seems to fall apart. We watch as he sinks into devastation amidst the incalculable meanness of the battlefront, where the only comfort can be gleaned in those minimal interludes of camaraderie with his fellow soldiers.

Laura's journey is similarly engaging as she seeks to come to grips with the immense sorrow of losing her brother, tormented by the unknown of his fate. Her path is lit by an unflagging will to find what exactly happened, and she cuts through a perilous path to Belgium seeking answers from the post-war scenario. Arden interweaves Laura's quest for Freddie with emerging enigmas of the war in a most captivating manner, with an account covering realities from both tangible and emotional realms.

One of the most touching aspects of the story lies in its exploration of the psychological effects of war. Freddie's story brings to mind some of the lasting scars that war leaves on the human psyche. Arden doesn't shy away from the atrocities of war, but rather delves beneath the surface of a tapestry of human reactions to such ruin: feelings of hopelessness, longing for peace, and the deep friendships that blossom out of the black depths of despair.

Fresh descriptions and dialogues make Arden's prose poetic and engaging. I particularly appreciated the author's note at the end, bringing me along her thought process of the exploration of the themes present in the book.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a moving tribute to the still-unbeatable human spirit that conquers all, even the most unthinkable challenges. Anyone looking for a profoundly touching and stimulating read has my enthusiastic recommendation of this book. This book deserves to be celebrated for its masterful storytelling, its profound exploration of human resilience, and its unflinching portrayal of the enduring impact of war.

Content Warnings

Graphic - War, Death, Violence

Moderate - Medical content, Death of parent, Grief

Minor - Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide

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