The Virgin Soldiers

Virgin Soldiers, Book 1

By: Leslie Thomas

Narrated by: Peter Wickham

"It rained a lot and steamed when the sun shone. It was always hot. But it was safe...."

One way or another the Communist guerrilla war in Malaya kept a whole British army occupied from 1948 until 1952. They were the virgin soldiers. Idle, homesick, afraid, bored, oversexed, and unsatisfied.

A young virgin like Brigg had to grab his fun while and where he could - in the Liberty Club, in Juicy Lucy's flat or up in Phillipa's room - in one frantic attempt at living before he died or got demobbed....

©2005 Leslie Thomas (P)2009 Random House Audio

Sexual Desire amidst Low Intensity Insurgency

In the waning days of the British Empire, this book details a slice of life experience of an Army conscript serving out his time in a rear echelon unit based in Singapore. While it is dated and the language and scenarios are definitely not “woke”, this story is a compelling one and the audiobook is recited with character and panache.

A Sad Tale of Sexual Frustration, Boredom and Fear

This book is good. Peter Wickham reads it well. Leslie Thomas creates the right balance between the big picture and the stories of the soldiers and people of Singapore/Malaya at this time in history. As with all 'war stories' there is waste, stupidity, heroism and loss. I don't recommend to listen to this book but you'll not be disappointed with it if you do. I enjoyed it although I did feel a sense of loss and sadness at the end. I will listen to the other two books in the series. From what I remember, the movie is pretty close to the book and worth a viewing.