There’s something about World War I that feels almost mythical to our modern sensibilities. The grainy black-and-white photos, the incomprehensible scale of loss, the collision of 19th-century tactics with 20th-century technology – it all seems to exist in some liminal space between history and legend. Katherine Arden’s “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” taps into that mythic quality, weaving a tale that’s equal parts historical fiction and supernatural mystery.
A Nurse’s Quest, A Soldier’s Purgatory
The novel follows two intertwining narratives. In 1918, we meet Laura Iven, a Canadian combat nurse who’s been sent home after being wounded. When she receives news of her brother Freddie’s death in the trenches, along with his personal effects, something doesn’t add up. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to war-torn Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital.
Meanwhile, in late 1917, we follow Freddie himself as he awakens in an overturned pillbox with Hans Winter, a wounded German soldier. Against all odds, the two form an unlikely alliance and claw their way out. Unable to face returning to the horror of the trenches on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious figure who seems to offer an escape from the war’s brutality.
The Haunting Presence of Faland
At the heart of the mystery is the enigmatic Faland, a violin-playing hotelier whose establishment exists in a surreal space between reality and nightmare. Arden’s depiction of Faland is masterful – he’s charismatic, terrifying, and utterly compelling. Is he a demon? A manifestation of war trauma? Or something else entirely? The ambiguity is delicious, and Arden resists the urge to over-explain, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
The Cost of Forgetting
One of the novel’s most powerful themes is the allure of forgetting. Faland offers soldiers a chance to escape their memories, to shed the weight of trauma and guilt. But at what cost? Arden explores the complex psychological terrain of survivors, asking difficult questions about the nature of healing and the importance of bearing witness.
A Masterclass in Atmosphere
Arden’s prose is nothing short of mesmerizing. She captures the sensory overload of the trenches with visceral detail.
The supernatural elements are woven in with a deft touch, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination in a way that feels true to the disorienting nature of war. The result is a reading experience that’s immersive and deeply unsettling.
Historical Accuracy Meets Supernatural Chills
Arden’s research shines through in the historical details. From the workings of field hospitals to the minutiae of trench warfare, she creates a vivid and believable backdrop for her supernatural tale. This grounding in reality makes the more fantastical elements all the more effective.
Characters That Haunt Long After the Last Page
Laura and Freddie are beautifully drawn protagonists, their bond as siblings providing an emotional anchor amidst the chaos. Laura’s determination and competence as a nurse contrast sharply with her vulnerability as she searches for her brother. Freddie’s journey from idealistic young soldier to a man grappling with profound trauma is heartbreaking and all too believable.
The Supporting Cast: Depth in the Trenches
The secondary characters are equally compelling. Hans Winter, the German soldier who becomes Freddie’s unlikely ally, is particularly well-realized. Their developing relationship challenges notions of enemy and friend, exploring the common humanity that exists even in the depths of war.
Dr. Jones, the American surgeon Laura encounters, provides a much-needed touch of pragmatism and dark humor. His growing connection with Laura feels earned and adds a bittersweet note of hope to the narrative.
Pacing: A Slow Burn That Ignites
I’ll admit, the pacing in the first third of the novel can feel a bit slow. Arden takes her time setting up the dual narratives and establishing the atmosphere. However, this deliberate build pays off in spades as the story progresses. Once the supernatural elements begin to take center stage, the tension ratchets up to almost unbearable levels.
A Climax That Lingers
The final confrontation with Faland is a tour de force of psychological horror. Arden manages to create a sense of cosmic dread without resorting to cheap jump scares or gore. The choices our characters face feel weighty and consequential, with no easy answers in sight.
Themes That Resonate
“The Warm Hands of Ghosts” grapples with big ideas, and does so with nuance and complexity.
The Nature of Memory and Trauma
Arden explores how we carry the weight of our experiences, and the impossible choices faced by those who’ve witnessed unimaginable horrors. Is it better to remember and risk being overwhelmed, or to forget and lose a part of oneself?
The Blurring of Good and Evil in War
Through the relationship between Freddie and Hans, and Laura’s own experiences as a nurse, the novel challenges simplistic notions of heroes and villains. The true enemy becomes the dehumanizing nature of war itself.
The Power of Human Connection
Amidst the bleakness, Arden offers moments of profound connection – between siblings, between unlikely friends, between strangers united by shared trauma. These moments of grace provide a counterpoint to the novel’s darker themes.
A Few Minor Quibbles
No book is perfect, and there are a couple of areas where “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” stumbles slightly:
- The pacing in the early chapters, as mentioned, may test some readers’ patience.
- A subplot involving one of Laura’s fellow nurses feels somewhat underdeveloped and could have used more exploration.
- The ending, while powerful, leaves some questions unanswered. This ambiguity will likely frustrate some readers, though I personally found it fitting.
A Haunting Addition to World War I Literature
“The Warm Hands of Ghosts” stands shoulder-to-shoulder with classics of World War I literature like “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Regeneration.” What sets it apart is Arden’s willingness to embrace the supernatural as a metaphor for the psychic toll of war.
The novel reminded me at times of Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried,” in its exploration of the blurry line between truth and fiction in war stories. There are echoes of David Mitchell’s “The Bone Clocks” in the way Arden weaves supernatural elements into historical events.
Final Thoughts: A Book That Lingers
I finished “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” over a week ago, and I’m still thinking about it. Arden has created a world that feels both historically authentic and eerily timeless. The images she conjures—of mud-caked trenches, of Faland’s otherworldly hotel, of the ghosts that haunt both the living and the dead—refuse to leave my mind.
This is a novel that demands to be read slowly, savored, and discussed. It’s not always an easy read—Arden doesn’t shy away from the brutality of war or the depths of human suffering. But it’s a deeply rewarding one, offering insights into the human condition that feel profoundly relevant, even a century after the events it depicts.
For readers who enjoy historical fiction with a supernatural twist, or anyone interested in exploring the psychological impact of war, “The Warm Hands of Ghosts” is an absolute must-read. Katherine Arden has cemented her place as one of our most talented and versatile contemporary authors.
