Read this once, a long time ago, and have never quite been able to get it out of my head: the central concept is so horrific. Being trapped inside a body that can no longer communicate with the outside world sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone, but this book was first published in 1939 and the protagonist is supposed to have received his injuries from a WWI landmine.

The movie must have been worse; all I've seen of it are the clips in the video for Metallica's One (based on the book) - seriously creepy, that. (Note: I was first introduced to this song via Tom Reynolds's I Hate Myself and Want to Die: The 52 Most Depressing Songs You've Ever Heard.)

Apparently Trumbo and his publishers voluntarily took the book out of print during WWII and the Korean War..but to me that self-censorship only underscores the powerful anti-war message. It's also been challenged in more conventional ways.

The one next to Wahoo's.

Released for quietorchid's banned books challenge.

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Thanks for finding this book!

If you're new to Bookcrossing, I hope you will take some time to explore this wonderful free and anonymous community and learn what it has to offer.

Freed any good books lately? It's good for the circulation. :)