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16+ Works 167 Members 3 Reviews

About the Author

Wayne Karlin is the author of numerous books, including Lost Armies, The Wished-For Country, and Rumors and Stones. He served the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1966-1967. In 1998 he was awarded the Paterson Prize in Fiction, in 2004 he received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the show more Arts, and the next year he received an Excellence in the Arts Award from the Vietnam Veterans of America. show less

Works by Wayne Karlin

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An engaging read, the author describes the fateful meeting of two men on opposite sides of the war on a secluded jungle path. One died, and the other lived with the heavy burden and guilt for 30 years, before embarking on a journey of reconciliation with the family and relatives.

It's not often that one walks in the shoes of one's enemy, and the author does exactly that - meticulously describing the background and past of the two men, their upbringings and ideals and what motivated them to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is an eye-opening insight into the Vietnamese psyche and culture as well, their superstitions and how they deal the horrors of war and their concept of loyalty and fate. After seeing life from the other person's perspective, a great sense of futility is also embodied, raising many questions on how one justifies wars and whether the human toll is all worth it.

On a literary note, I felt that the book could do with some tighter editing in terms of pacing and perhapssome trimming of unessential narratives - but ultimately does not detract in any way from this powerful and evocative story.
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cuteseal | 1 other review | Aug 17, 2022 |
Chronicles the lives of two soldiers, an American and North Vietnamese as their lives intersect briefly and one life is ended. The healing that takes place for the American after 35 years when he visits the family of the soldier he killed in Vietnam is necessary and important. The devastation of war on soldiers, families, cultures, of both sides is at the forefront of this story.
 
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atbskn | 1 other review | Jun 11, 2010 |
See SMU library review.
 
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JoBass | Jul 5, 2010 |

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Works
16
Also by
3
Members
167
Popularity
#127,264
Rating
3.8
Reviews
3
ISBNs
19
Languages
1

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