A review by sahanasri
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I initially read this book for class in my junior year of high school and it ended up being my favorite book I’ve read for school. My takeaways now are somewhat different, but overall I like it just as much as I did then. The vignette style of the book is so unique, and helps make the large cast of characters feel fleshed out and real in all their quirks and eccentricities. It balances humor and sadness so expertly, and although I will (hopefully) never be able to relate to the experience of surviving war, the idea of coping with profound and deep sadness for the rest of your life through storytelling feels much more relatable to me now than when I was 17. The main themes of the book are so beautifully complex, as it touches on courage, love, truth, war, and stories. I went back and read my writing reflections for class (only occasionally cringe) and they really helped me think more deeply on the central concepts! Something about the combination of O’Brien grieving for the loss of his younger self and reading my own writing made me feel that in a way I really hadn’t before. The ending words also really stuck with me in a more optimistic way, as you can keep the ones you love (even your younger self) alive through the stories you tell. Never thought I’d miss English class so much