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A Game Of Soldiers

jan needle vivien gardner stephen cockett

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Originally written as a TV serial, A Game of Soldiers caused a storm of Government anger when ITV refused to pull it from the schedules. Shortly afterwards, it was nominated for a Bafta award, and publishers scrambled for the novelisation rights. HarperCollins won.

Thirty years on, and despite the fact that the conflict was famously described as ‘two bald men fighting over a comb,’ the British the Argentine governments are both making belligerent noises again. The fact that neither has a navy big enough to do much about it any more makes it perhaps more poignant. Or ridiculous.

Brief and fast moving, the novel tells the story of three Falkland Islands friends who find a badly injured Argentine conscript hiding out in one of the lonely places in the ‘camp’ (countryside) where they go to play. All their games these days are games of soldiers. There is nothing else to do.

Woken by the sounds of battle the night before, they have all been warned by their parents not to roam too far from home. Terrified when they stumble on the soldier, who is not many years older than they are themselves, they quickly get carried away by the possibilities.

He is an invader in their land. He has been shooting at their soldiers. He is the enemy, and trained to kill. So after not much argument, they decide that they must kill him first. It is their patriotic duty.

How to do it, though? What tools or weapons do they have to overwhelm him with? And when they start to speak with him – the language barrier notwithstanding – can they continue to see him as somehow less than human?
    Genres

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1985

This edition

Format
72 pages, Paperback
Published
March 28, 1985 by Collins Educational
ISBN
ASIN
Language
English

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About the author

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jan needle

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Jan Needle has written more than forty books, including novels for adults and children and literary criticism. He also writes plays for stage, TV and radio, including serials and series like Grange Hill, The Bill and Brookside. His first novel, Wild Wood, is a retelling of The Wind in the Willows with Toad, Rat, Mole and Co as the ‘villains' - a sort of undeserving rural squirearchy – and the stoats and weasels as heroes. A new version was brought out recently by Golden Duck, with the original wonderful illustrations by the late Willie Rushton.

Although he is currently working on a film of perhaps his most celebrated children's book, My Mate Shofiq, Jan has recently been concentrating on historical novels about his first and most enduring love, the sea, and a series of extremely gritty thrillers. His aim has always been to transcend standard genre writing, which has sometimes brought him disapproval. The ‘hero' of his first naval fiction, A Fine Boy for Killing, is a borderline sadist, and life on the frigate Welfare undermines almost every heroic myth popularized by earlier writers. Loved or hated, his novels refuse to be ignored.

His thrillers are also firmly in the ‘noir' spectrum. The most recent is The Bonus Boys, which features a hard-as-nails investigator called Andrew Forbes and his Scottish lover Rosanna ‘the Mouse' Nixon, who first appeared in Kicking Off, a chilling warning about the fissile state of Britain's crumbling prisons. More are in the pipeline, as are additions to a series of novellas about crime, the 18th century navy, and the secret world of spies and spying. Even the possibility that Napoleon escaped from his exile on St Helena is examined. Like many ‘mere conspiracy theories' it uncovers some extraordinary possibilities.

Jan also attempts, in conjunction with Walker Books, to widen the readership for certain classic novels. They include so far Moby Dick, Dracula, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Woman in White, all aimed at a young adult audience . In his spare time, he sails boats and plays a variety of musical instruments.

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Rating(3.3 / 5.0, 3 votes)
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Suchir_B
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Set during the Falklands war, this is a deeply disturbing tale of three children who reside on the island.

The landscape is as bleak as their home lives, and with no other form of entertainment available, they pass the time by playing war games.

There is a youth who is eager to kill someone, a whining younger boy, and a girl whose sympathies shift back and forth between them.

Brainwashed by their parents, when they encounter a wounded young Argentinian soldier, they believe it is their duty to kill him. It is simply a matter of determining when and how.

Through no fault of their own, none of these children are likable; they are the victims of their life on the island, their families, and the war that is taking place in their backyards.

There is a faint resemblance to Lord of the Flies in this tale; it is grim, yet I found it to be compulsively readable.

The story highlights the tragic consequences of war on the innocent and the power of indoctrination. It makes one reflect on the futility of war and the importance of peace.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking and engaging read that leaves a lasting impression.
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jerrybratle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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As a vet myself, I have a unique perspective on the portrayal of veterinary-related matters. I must say that I truly appreciate the depth in the characterisation. It is extremely well done, and Jan has done a remarkable job here.

The attention to detail in creating the characters is truly impressive. Each character has their own distinct personality, motives, and flaws, which makes them feel real and relatable.

Jan has managed to bring the veterinary world to life in a way that is both engaging and informative. The story not only showcases the technical aspects of veterinary medicine but also delves into the emotional and personal side of being a vet.

Overall, I am very impressed with the characterisation in this work. It is a testament to Jan's talent as a writer and her understanding of the veterinary profession. I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future.
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Doctorfeddy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A buen libro is not just a collection of words on paper. It is a magical portal that transports us to different worlds, introduces us to unique characters, and allows us to experience a plethora of emotions. Whether it's a thrilling adventure story that keeps us on the edge of our seats, a heartwarming romance that tugs at our heartstrings, or a thought-provoking non-fiction work that broadens our knowledge and perspective, a good book has the power to change our lives. It can inspire us, motivate us, and even help us to better understand ourselves and the world around us. Reading a buen libro is like embarking on a journey, and with each turn of the page, we discover something new and exciting. So, the next time you pick up a book, remember that you are about to embark on a wonderful adventure that will leave you enriched and fulfilled.

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