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birdlaw91's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellabratcher's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
agnesiana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melissaglenn's review against another edition
3.0
it was hard to get into, but a really interesting and thought-provoking story.
lucasmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I got bogged down in this book. It felt like, with less than a hundred pages left, I would never finish it. This doesn't reflect the quality of the writing, or the significance of the novel's project. Rather, it reflects the start of the school year and the reality of have a three month old in the house for the first time. Coming off of Ken Burn's The Vietnam War, which features Tim O'Brien in a few episodes, even reading the famous eponymous passage from "The Things They Carried," I experienced some Vietnam burn out. After pushing through to the end, I am convinced that this book contains some of the best writing about American Soldiers in Vietnam I have encountered.
I have now read all three of O'Brien's Vietnam book. His memoir, If I Die in a Combat Zone, the short story collecting, The Things They Carried, and the novel Going After Cacciato. I am struck by the similarities. The focus on the personal physical details, walking being the defining activity of American soldiers in Vietnam, and the helplessness of realizing to late what the war did to those who were in it. A must read for anyone interested in the Vietnam War.
I have now read all three of O'Brien's Vietnam book. His memoir, If I Die in a Combat Zone, the short story collecting, The Things They Carried, and the novel Going After Cacciato. I am struck by the similarities. The focus on the personal physical details, walking being the defining activity of American soldiers in Vietnam, and the helplessness of realizing to late what the war did to those who were in it. A must read for anyone interested in the Vietnam War.
michaelsj10's review against another edition
4.0
Really complex storytelling with time jumps throughout the novel, but once you figure out what's actually going on it's really good.
ashley_mcfadden's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I almost fell asleep every time I opened this. Please stay away if you’re an AP Lit student.
beccalove's review against another edition
3.0
I adored The Things They Carried but this one just didn't do it for me.