Plot: Set against the backdrop of World War I, this novel deals with the lives of people:
- William Williams called Billy Twice. Miner, who enlists in the war
- Ethel Williams, Billy's sister
- Earl Fitzherbert, Earl of Aberowen, who also enlists in the war
- Maud Fitzherbert, Sister of Fitzherbert
- Walter von Ulrich, German foreign office employee
- Gregory Peshkov, Russian peasant
- Lev Peshkov, brother of Gregory Peshkov
Billy Twice goes through lot of difficulties and an amazing growth once he is in the army during the war. Ethel goes on to become an M.P for Labour party from a house keeper of Fitz. Fitz's sister secretly marries Walter, who is a German. Gregory becomes a commissar in the Lenin era. Lev, escapes to US instead of Gregory before the war, as he is wanted in a murder.
Review: This book is truly an epic (with 1066 pages). It was a good ride. But, definitely not amazing. It has its moments. The author makes sure you would be in a good state of mind by the time the book ends. There is a saying in telugu "Vodalu ballu ayyayi. Ballu vodalu ayyayi", which crudely translates to "Ships becoming vehicles and Vehicles becoming ships". As indicated by the name of the novel, it is truly "Fall of Giants".
Conclusion: 3.25/5. A good read, but painfully long.
