The Things They Carried: Book Review

The characters and situational plots bring a sense of depth to the Vietnam fight that is not always confronted or even appreciated. The novels stories are recounted from a register spot describing occurrences at bottom a platoon of the Alpha Company serving in Vietnam. OBrien himself Is the narrator describing d wholeness flash backs and compose Journal entries what the contend was handle through his eyes. The flashbacks are not written In sequence rather, they cut from one point in time to another as they susceptibility in any real soldiers thoughts.This unique perspective gives insight to how a former soldier thinks and dreams about what he encountered. The language of the book is true to the culture and creates doubt that any of the characters or events are fabricational. The platoon is made up of several important characters all having their hold unique quirks, habits, ambitions and dreams. Death, Injury and survive are undoubtedly key elements to the stories, as a re the things the soldiers carried with them. From emotions and memories to weapons and supplies, the things they carried are prolonged both in context and in quantity.Each individual level within the book is a memory of OBrien and sometimes is told from the perspective of his companion oldies. The stories wad with them elements of grief, love, passion and guilt and the setting details are so intense the ascertainer can practically hear the firing of arms In the background. OBrien mission of recounting the Vietnam war through a soldier perspective Is accomplished and a new side of hi theme is revealed even through these fictional occurrences.Frequently, the Vietnam War is remembered for its controversy, longevity and brutality rarely is the individual soldiers story counted as a valid part of this history. OBrien reminds the reader that for the soldiers fighting and dying, the AR was not political or something to be protested It was simply a pose in life that they so desperate ly hoped to live through. The history that the novel offers Is one that is accurate and in tune with thousands of deceased and former soldiers experiences and is a version of history that is as accurate as any other.Author Tim OBrien did a remark equal to(p) Job at incorporating himself into the story and into the life of Vietnam veteran. His ability to wanton the reader feel what he felt, both during and in the years after the war, Is noteworthy as Is his ability to retell erosion of the same story from various character perspectives. Despite these being honest is hard to determine. several(prenominal) times his narration alerts the reader that what he is retelling whitethorn or may not be accurate and asserts that fabricating stories is the heart of a true war story.In moments throughout the novel, and especially towards the end, the reader is left to second guess why the fictional OBrien dreamed up so many elaborate details, or if he even did. This confusion was one part of the novel that I personally could have done without. Regardless, the heart of the novel emends the reader how invaluable a soldiers perspective is to history. One of the most realistic issues raised is that of how go soldiers are treated. Especially in the Vietnam era, veterans felt a since of dismissal, lack of obedience, and a longing to return to the war they both hated and love.Todays generation of veterans as well as experience these emotions, betrayals and face issues of depression, PUTS and reforming themselves to fit into the civilian world. I believe it was OBrien force to bring awareness to the loneliness war veterans feel and the lack of respect they too often experience. It is novels like The Things They Carried that can help to articulate the emotions that these veterans aspiration they could express themselves but often suppress instead. This novel is relevant to anyone wanting(p) to learn more than about the Vietnam War from an informal, non-political perspective. Though fictional, the content is based on realistic events and happenings throughout the United States and in Vietnam. It gives insight to the impact that the draft had on young, American men and how they sometimes coped with receiving orders to deploy despite their own set of ambitions. The novel informs the reader on the various roles the soldiers had, the disconnect they experience with the outside world and higher-ranking commanders, and what they encountered after returning home.Unlike history textbooks, The Things They Carried uses compassion to create an impact with the reader that will likely remain total far longer than the official historical perspective. Reading this novel was a rewarding experience primarily because it is not a novel I would have normally read. However, after doing so, I am anxious to read other war stories Tim OBrien has written. As a former soldiery spouse, I experienced war from a different perspective. My version of war is one that consists of w aiting, worrying and being lonely.I related a lot of the content I was reading to stories told (and UN-told) by my own veteran husband. I especially loved how a substantial part of the language and acronyms used is something that only those with military experience or knowledge can truly appreciate and comprehend. using this military cultural language made the stories seem more circumstance than fiction. Previous to this class, I had little understanding of previous wars. Now, Im better able to imagine and attempt to understand what it is that soldiers endure and the honor they truly merit before and after returning home.Overall, Tim OBrien has done history the great esteem of writing this novel to help illustrate the impact of the Vietnam War. It is fast-paced, enjoyable and written from an interesting angle. I enjoyed reading it and believe I learned more about Vietnam than I would have from any other non-fiction source. I am confident that anyone interested in learning about w ar and experiencing a soldiers love and loss will appreciate this great historical fiction novel as well.