The unknown soldier remembered 100 years on

At the end of the Algerian War, French general Charles de Gaulle is supposed to have remarked that "nothing dries quicker than blood" - nothing is forgotten faster than war. Yet in Birdsong, memory of war weaves the narrative together, demonstrating how remembering the past can bring new meaning to the present. Although the parallel narratives take place decades apart, Stephen's history exerts itself positively on Elizabeth's life, helping her to navigate identity and relationships. Many describe the text, with its sophisticated split structure, as an example of "historiographic metafiction", similar to other texts such as AS Byatt's Possession and Ian McEwan's Atonement. Books in this genre tend to bridge between eras as a narrative device.

Should we embrace the unknown? Memorials to unnamed soldiers affect us on a deep psychological level, but there are also philosophical reasons to accept the unknown and welcome uncertainty.

Is it too late to apologise for World War One racism? The British government said it deeply regrets the failure to properly commemorate thousands of Black and Asian conscripts.

Should a great reporter cry? The BBC's seasoned World Affairs Editor reporting on Afghanistan's looming "hell on earth" wept on air. Was it moving or unprofessional?

Much of not just the content of the novel, but its narrative form too, revolves around the trauma inflicted by war. Faulks' ambitious choice of time span alongside his decision to look at multiple disparate narratives allow him to examine the scope of war panoramically, whilst also conveying the intricacies of how it affects his characters.

Could World War Three be started by an accident? An off-course missile hit a Polish village close to the Ukrainian border, sparking fears of global retaliation.

Should we abolish all armed forces? A bold proposal to put an end to all violent deaths in battle worldwide is once again getting attention. 

Is it time for global disarmament? Ukraine. Ethiopia. Yemen. War and armed conflict wages across the globe, but many argue that the money would be better spent on improving the world.

Nature in Birdsong acts as a foil to the inhumanity of the battlefield. Just as the characters must find ways to adapt to and survive inarticulableUnspeakable. suffering, nature always endures despite the darkness of war. This affinity between man and nature is fleshed out throughout the novel. When Stephen returns to England, he observes natural features of the landscape and reflects that they are "part of one creation, and he too [...] is one with them", an epiphanyA moment of realisation. Epiphany is also a Christian celebration on 6 January. People remember the visit of the Three Kings, also known as the Wise Men or the Magi, to Jesus.  which helps him to find peace with war trauma.

Is maths the secret of beauty? Scientists have discovered that the world's most famous codebreaker was right when he proposed that natural shapes and patterns were ruled by a hidden formula.

'Apartheid in death' for Black and Asian troops

Is it time for the return of the wolf? For centuries, these fierce animals have been seen as a menace. But some now believe they have a vital part to play in rebalancing the environment.

Can the hunt for lost species save biodiversity? As scientists issue a chilling warning that our world is going the way of an American fast-food chain, is there a glimmer of hope?

In a book which is often described as a love story, it might seem surprising that romantic love always appears to be an afterthought: to marriage, to family and even to passion. Lisette's attraction to Stephen is motivated by lust; Isabelle and Rene's marriage is motivated by duty; and Stephen and Jeanne's marriage seems to be the result of pragmatism: Faulks notes that Stephen never feels the same passion for Jeanne that he did for her sister. Some critics have disputed the sincerity of Stephen and Isabelle's affair too, preferring to depict it as youthful whimsy. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Robert's relationship or the fraternal bond between Stephen and Jack Firebrace act as more creditable, mature examples of love.

Is marriage dying? A court decision might grant similar status for different types of relationships. But many argue that marriage remains at the heart of human culture and experience.

Have we forgotten how to have relationships? A top writer says that Tinder and Hinge have caused an epidemic of anxiety and insecurity. But others say they do more good than harm.

Are food and love the only real things in life? At the age of 82, Britain's greatest living painter, David Hockney, wrote a moving letter telling the world his deepest convictions.

Isabelle is trapped by her marriage to Rene Azaire, arranged by her father. Rene is an archetypalA perfect example of something. patriarch, who beats Isabelle to compensate for his lack of masculine virility. Her attempt to extricate herself through fleeing with Stephen is short-lived, and she ultimately chooses to return to the security of her family. Elizabeth, the granddaughter of Isabelle and Stephen, has far more freedom in her relationships. She is dating a married man and becomes pregnant outside of marriage without the same tragic shockwaves as her grandparents' affair.

Will evolution destroy patriarchy? Women have endured male rule for more than 12,000 years. But some think the age of men might soon come to a natural conclusion.

Is China afraid of feminists? A viral video of women being attacked in a restaurant provoked nationwide outrage. But now critics say that women's voices are being silenced.  

Can misogyny ever be stopped? TikToker Andrew Tate is back on Twitter, despite online bans for extreme sexist content. Some say his popularity shows there is still a long way to go in the battle for equality.