careful description" to depict the chaotic environment created by war. The novel also includes small abstracts from poetry and songs. The title of the novel is derived from a traditional nursery Rhyme, How Many Miles to Babylon?: Reception When re-reviewing the novel in 2011, Philip Womack described the novel as "slim but emotionally hefty." For Womack, it's a poignant retelling of how the First World War erased lines of class, and its emotional toil: "Johnston's novel conveys both the insanity of war and the poignancy of unspoken tenderness." Film, TV or theatrical adaptations In 1982 it was adapted for television by the BBC, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Alec and Christopher Fairbank as Jerry. In 2005 the actor and director Alan Stanford adapted the novel for stage and it was produced by Second Age Theatre Company and directed by David Parnell. The play has been performed several times subsequently. The book featured as the Book at Bedtime on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013. Characters Alexander Moore (Alec) Jeremiah Crowe (Jerry) Alec's mother (Alicia) Alec's father (Fredrick) The piano teacher (Mr. Cave) In the Army Major Glendinning Sergeant O'Keefe Sergeant Barry Bennett (officer) Cillian (the king) References External links Publishing House Dulce et Decorum published a Dutch translation of How many miles to Babylon? Publishers Denoel published a French translation, Si loin de Babylone, in 1979 1974 novels Irish historical novels Novels by Jennifer Johnston Novels set during World War I Hamish Hamilton books 20th-century Irish novels Novels set in County Wicklow