Through graphic description and an eerie stream of consciousness, Kraus has accomplished a complex narrative. Spanning roughly 24 hours after first learning about Private Cyril Bagger, we discover how he has cheated life.

In “Angel Down,” Bagger is a con man, willing to do anything as long as it is easy. Manipulating those around him, he is drafted into World War I (WWI) but is not trusted to be on the fighting grounds. His cowardice and eagerness to avoid doing more than the bare minimum diminishes his reliability.

Instead of the front lines, Bagger is assigned to the burial detail. The gruesome job of collecting bodies and documenting fallen soldiers throughout the war — regardless of whether they were enemies or not.

These mass burial sites were often near battlefields and named No Man’s Land. In this appropriately named area during WWI, Bagger appreciates the work for what it is, as it keeps him out of harm’s way. An incessant scream then weaves in-and-out of the burial team full of misfits, echoing throughout the already uneasy surroundings.

What I appreciate most about the description of this yowling was the urge to recognize it as an otherworldly noise. A scream that haunts the soul; unsettling and everlasting. Each of the misfits recognizes the sound as evil, and in turn, allows the reader to hear a scream that they deem evil and unabating.

Persistent in finding whatever this noise was and to put an end to it, they come across not a soldier — but a figure. One that can only be described as a spirit, a holy angel warped through barbed wire and longing out to the men to be saved. The men assigned to Bagger each take turns carrying the divine entity. Separately, each soldier begins to see what is essential to heal them.

Bagger has somewhat of an older brother figure throughout the novel to a fellow private named Arno. This relationship reflects the intimacies so many young soldiers faced throughout the war and emphasizes how critical it is to meet new people and form relationships regardless of how it began.

Thousands of companionships were formed on the basis of death throughout both world wars. Although Bagger is selfish, his compassion for Arno acts as a blossom of hope and a real area of growth for Bagger. I appreciated the attention to their relationship, and how important it is.

The lack of “filler” pages throughout this novel reflects the effects of war on a young brain. Amidst the immorality and dehumanization, Kraus mirrors suffocation through the use of one run-on sentence — coaxing the reader to consume more and more, page by page.

Much like the suffocation of the fallen angel; much like the suffocation of war. I began to recognize that this book isn’t about the fallen angel. It highlights the importance of recognizing each soldier forced into war.

Having faith in Private Cyril Bagger isn’t worth much, or any other soldiers for that matter.

However, the Angel encourages the reader to look past the greed of war. To offer a glimpse into the humanity of each person, the Angel begins to warp the soldier’s reality. A scope into their own greed, envy and prejudices.

Kraus’s use of imagery critiques our reality, and begs the reader to question why we are the way we are by encouraging us to take a look at our past.

Daniel Kraus’ brave use of only one sentence throughout the entire book was my favorite aspect. His use of the run-on sentence mimics the tribulations of war and the constant state of anxiety, fully immersing the reader into the story.

One stream of consciousness bouncing from idea to idea.

Subtle literary devices, such as this, is why I would recommend this book to those questioning their faith in what is good and what is evil; those who are trying to find hope when society is on the verge of collapse.