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A review by theresidentbookworm
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
5.0
I have to admit that I was startled by how much I genuinely enjoyed The Things They Carried. When I skimmed the back before the semester started, I rolled my eyes and thought to myself that this was such a guy novel, a war story that I couldn't possibly enjoy. I was relieved when it was the last book we were set to read for the semester (and for us seniors in high school). Now I can only think to myself what a spectacular way to go out, reading The Things They Carried.
The fundamental mistake I and probably many other readers made going into The Things They Carried was assuming that it is a war story. It is not. Don't misunderstand me. It is a startling, raw look at the Vietnam War, nothing like I've ever read in history books or fiction. Tim O'Brien breathes life into his narrative, painting a vivid picture of the war many people of my generation overlook. I will never forget that picture. Despite its vivid depiction of war, however, The Things They Carried is not a novel about war. It is a novel about loss, love, friendship, guilt, and the purpose of the stories we tell.
Tim O'Brien masterfully weaves together a collection of stories to a narrative that jumps back and forth in time. O'Brien himself appears in some of these stories, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This not only leads an air of mystery to what is true and what isn't, a central theme in the novel, but O'Brien including himself as a character also allows us to have a greater connection to the characters in the novel. His portrayal of war and guilt is gritty and honest and frankly heartbreaking. It isn't a novel easily forgotten.
Though it does deal with war in a honest way, The Things They Carried is sprinkled with sparks of light: stories being told and exaggerated in the squad, a soldier bringing his girlfriend over to Vietnam, and Curt Lemon dressing up for Halloween. The novel, amongst other things, can be very funny. O'Brien himself does not choose to wallow in the past. Rather, he feel liberated by telling his stories, fact or fiction. He begins the last story in the novel, " “But this too is true: stories can save us.” He couldn't be more right.
Do yourself a favor and make The Things They Carried one of the novels you read this year whether you read hundred or just ten. You will not regret it.
The fundamental mistake I and probably many other readers made going into The Things They Carried was assuming that it is a war story. It is not. Don't misunderstand me. It is a startling, raw look at the Vietnam War, nothing like I've ever read in history books or fiction. Tim O'Brien breathes life into his narrative, painting a vivid picture of the war many people of my generation overlook. I will never forget that picture. Despite its vivid depiction of war, however, The Things They Carried is not a novel about war. It is a novel about loss, love, friendship, guilt, and the purpose of the stories we tell.
Tim O'Brien masterfully weaves together a collection of stories to a narrative that jumps back and forth in time. O'Brien himself appears in some of these stories, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This not only leads an air of mystery to what is true and what isn't, a central theme in the novel, but O'Brien including himself as a character also allows us to have a greater connection to the characters in the novel. His portrayal of war and guilt is gritty and honest and frankly heartbreaking. It isn't a novel easily forgotten.
Though it does deal with war in a honest way, The Things They Carried is sprinkled with sparks of light: stories being told and exaggerated in the squad, a soldier bringing his girlfriend over to Vietnam, and Curt Lemon dressing up for Halloween. The novel, amongst other things, can be very funny. O'Brien himself does not choose to wallow in the past. Rather, he feel liberated by telling his stories, fact or fiction. He begins the last story in the novel, " “But this too is true: stories can save us.” He couldn't be more right.
Do yourself a favor and make The Things They Carried one of the novels you read this year whether you read hundred or just ten. You will not regret it.