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Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried (Bloom's Guides)
by
Harold Bloom
- Comprehensive reading and study guides for some of the world's most important literary masterpieces
- Concise critical excerpts provide a scholarly overview of each work
- "The Story Behind the Story" details the conditions under which the work was written
- Each book includes a biographical sketch of the author, a descriptive list of characters, an extensive summary and an...more
- Concise critical excerpts provide a scholarly overview of each work
- "The Story Behind the Story" details the conditions under which the work was written
- Each book includes a biographical sketch of the author, a descriptive list of characters, an extensive summary and an...more
Hardcover, 149 pages
Published
October 31st 2004
by Chelsea House Publications
(first published 2004)
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Jun 09, 2010
Yonis
added it
The " The things they carried " by Tim O'Brien is an electrifying read , if war stories weather real or fiction are in your interest it's a good book to pick up and read. I liked this book in many ways; I enjoyed the authors detail and description of the war and the scenery, he gave you a clue of everything and detailed it so well that you could see the blood gore or feel the sadness and madness the soldiers expressed. I felt confused and wonder when Mark Fossie brought his hometown sweetheart t...more
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is phenomenal war story about the soldiers of the Vietnam War. O’Brien depicts what the men have to carry with them throughout the war. He shows that the soldiers not only carry what is on their backs, but they carry fear, passion, excitement, anger and sadness with them along their journey in the war. O’Brien also shares his story about being a soldier and how it affected him before he went into the war and after he left the war. He not only gives his stor...more
This one is a challenging read. It dips you in and out of the Vietnam War without warning and without the glossy, neat coating that some war stories give you. There is no moral, as there wouldn't be in real war story. This is one of the few in your face lessons from the author. In one sense, this is his therapy to process what he saw and did, but in another, it is ours. When I picked this book up I realized that I have only read a few books from the Vietnam War. I have ready many WWII and Cold W...more
Jun 22, 2010
Israel
added it
I like the book "The Things They Carried" because it opened my mind on how i view war. War is not a place of jokes, if you go it is for the right reasons. After reading this book, it explained to me the ways war can effect someone, espically the new weak soldiers. Effects such as, going crazy, killing friends, change of personality, and becoming addicted to killing. I liked the way the author made up many war stories and explained them with complete details. With the use of the details I was abl...more
I was not able to finish the book on time, but I read about 158 pages. The book of "The Things They Carried" was a very fabulous book, but might be very confusing. The writer Tim O'Brien has made the Vietnam war an astonishing way of making it realistic as possible. Putting details to the book had really hit you and made you have a part in the book. This book made you think throughout the whole story.
Making this book kind of realistic has thought you how the Vietnam was very brutal. Throughout...more
Making this book kind of realistic has thought you how the Vietnam was very brutal. Throughout...more
This book was a disappointment for me in spite of all the rave reviews it has gotten. The stories were well told but i got angry by the true stories versus untrue, the story-truths and the happening truths and the author repeated himself alot. I am in great conflict on my feelings for this one as the stories were in fact good and i am ashamed for not being able to consider this a brillant war story since the writer is obviously a Vet and i have no doubt his war experiences have haunted him deepl...more
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This book is an unforgettable masterpiece. Run to your library or book store if you have not had the pleasure of reading this meditation on the nature of war. Check it out, buy it, savor it and join me in this sensual journey into hell. Warning though – beautiful as it is – it is not for the fainthearted.
I have been so blown away by O’Brien’s writing skill that I approach this review with some trepidation, because no matter what I write, it pales in comparison to what I am writing about. O’Brien...more
I have been so blown away by O’Brien’s writing skill that I approach this review with some trepidation, because no matter what I write, it pales in comparison to what I am writing about. O’Brien...more
Oct 05, 2011
Rugo
added it
The Things They Carried is about five men who are courageously fighting in the Vietnam War, and their stories about what they were fighting for, or why they’re there, and occasionally what they carried. More in the sense of what they carried in their heads though, what they were thinking during that time. There isn’t much of a plot except the fact that’s it’s a story, a true war story. As they explore the roughly diverse geography of the land, they also explored their feelings and deep within th...more
LOVED this book...although given the grimm nature of the story I feel odd using the word LOVE. This was a fantastic reflection of a Viet Nam Vet survivor. It was gory and graphic in its imagery, but it felt real. These were kids fighting a war that they had to make "sense" out of in order to justify their participation. (small spoiler) The image of the boys/men tossing the smoke grenades back and forth "for fun" and accidentally stepping on a land mine just as the sun broke through the branches...more
The Things They Carried is a very interesting book. Personally, I looked forward to reading about the bizarre stories that the soldiers had to tell rather then reading about how the war affected them. Through this book, I learned a lot of things about people in general and I learned that there is a difference from what is TRUE and what is REAL. I learned that a real story, according to this book, does not need all information as long as the story is consistent to the events. Rather then a true s...more
This is a wonderfull book by a master story teller. I read it with a class of Union Workers, most of them unwilling college students, almost forced to read works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. But they responded so enthusiastically to this book, we loved every session of the three weeks allocated to discussing this book.
The major reason was the truth of the book that will not grow old or redundant. Although Tim O' Brien tells the painfull story of Vietnam, the suffering of the characters...more
The major reason was the truth of the book that will not grow old or redundant. Although Tim O' Brien tells the painfull story of Vietnam, the suffering of the characters...more
no mi tipi de lectura pero solo leyendolo con Mark (Tarea de verano) para intercambiar opiniones y saber si reslmente lo esta leyendo bien.......
Lo recomiendo a los chicos de la Prepa para que asi "no" se decidan enlistarse en el ejercito,,,todo libro de guerra narra lo mismo,,que es la angustia,deseperacion y casi locura y muchas veces total locura que pasan los soldados en la guerra,,y cuando los pocos que sobreviven vuelven a la vida civil,,sufriendo fisica y mentalmente las atrocidades que p...more
Lo recomiendo a los chicos de la Prepa para que asi "no" se decidan enlistarse en el ejercito,,,todo libro de guerra narra lo mismo,,que es la angustia,deseperacion y casi locura y muchas veces total locura que pasan los soldados en la guerra,,y cuando los pocos que sobreviven vuelven a la vida civil,,sufriendo fisica y mentalmente las atrocidades que p...more
The novel has the type of intriguing story.If you are into a story of many stories you will enjoy the writing of Tim O Brian .This book might be only for the the really war set of mind.This has a seance of Patroon.The way the writer makes most of the mind think of not only him but the crew he is with.The stories has what one will and unexpected things in the story
This is my second book by O'Brien. Harrowing and well written....more a poem than a novel...but reminded me of a comment from a classmate on mine '65 who then went to Vietnam and later said to me...tersely..."you really had to be there to be there" and that's all he ever said.
also read years ago In the Lake of the Woods....similar themes....great novel as well.
also read years ago In the Lake of the Woods....similar themes....great novel as well.
Powerful, beautiful writing. O'Brien describes the horrors of war in a way that it's difficult to tell the difference between reality, memory and dream. Yet I think he gets at the real feeling of the experience. I usually avoid and can't handle stories or movies that are violent. But this book was somehow beautiful.
One of the very best and most powerful books I have ever read. The horror and the absurdity of the Vietnam war came shining through, but the endlessness of the war in the lives of veterans is perhaps the most horrifying aspect of all. They carry forever the brutality and senselessness of this war for us all.
Would actually give 3.5 stars if available.
The first half was absolutely gripping. Things I can't forget:
1) O'Brien's description of "real war stories."
2) Kiowa's death
3) The description of bravery as a simple result of not wanting to be humiliated.
4) When the old man took O'Brien across the water to Canada...all of the images that went through O'Brien's head.
5) The guy who exploded into the tree...(I am terrible at remembering character's names)
6) The girl who joined the Green Berets
7) And mos...more
The first half was absolutely gripping. Things I can't forget:
1) O'Brien's description of "real war stories."
2) Kiowa's death
3) The description of bravery as a simple result of not wanting to be humiliated.
4) When the old man took O'Brien across the water to Canada...all of the images that went through O'Brien's head.
5) The guy who exploded into the tree...(I am terrible at remembering character's names)
6) The girl who joined the Green Berets
7) And mos...more
Jun 12, 2008
Tedy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
panglima perang
Recommended to Tedy by:
my bebe
menceritakan sisi suka dan duka tentang perang apa adanya. karena yang menulis buku ini adalah mantan tentara itu sendiri yang masih memperoleh kesempatan selamat dari perang dan terus melanjutkan hidup untuk mengabadikan apa yang dialaminya dalam perang dalam sebuah buku.
agar kita semua mengetahui bahwa sesungguhnya mereka itu (para tentara) tidak menginginkan perang. mereka menginginkan kedamaian bersama keluarga mereka. akan tetapi negaralah yang kejam (yang dipimpin oleh presiden maupun perd...more
agar kita semua mengetahui bahwa sesungguhnya mereka itu (para tentara) tidak menginginkan perang. mereka menginginkan kedamaian bersama keluarga mereka. akan tetapi negaralah yang kejam (yang dipimpin oleh presiden maupun perd...more
Told as part biography, part short story collection of the principle's VietNam War experiences. Some of the stories are told and retold from different perspectives. Is is horrible and beautiful, there is love and hatred and the best and worst of human nature.
Quite possibly the best book I read this year. It's a soldier's memories - story after story, present and past, some which the narrator admits are true, others he says are made up. The ending (the story of Linda) brought tears to my eyes. This to me is a must read!!!
The long and unforgettable violence makes me think of the Vietnam War. The chaos that it created especially for Vietnam. American soldiers packed their bags to go fight in the foreign land. They carried many things that characterized the charaters. American and Vietnam soldiers fought until the end. This book reminds me of my visit to Washington D.C. because i saw the Vietnam memorial, but I didnt remember much about it. Recently,I did an extra credit on the Vietam War. I saw pictures of victims...more
A moving, powerful book about the Vietnam war. There were times I felt I could hear the gun shots, feel the oppressive darkness, understand the fear the each soldier must have felt.
excellent. Very well written -- lovely style. Unforgettable stories and characters. Did not fall victim to cliche. Well worth reading.
One of my favorite books I ever read in an English class.
I found this book harrowing, disturbing, breathtaking, and enlightening. All of the things a book about Vietnam should be. It made me laugh at moments when it should, and made me cry even through my laughter. It could be a tough read for those who need constant adventure, as it is not what you woudld expect a book about war to be, but for those who can follow the paths of the words and find the adventure woven in, it is a must read.
Very very good book. Took a while to realize it was NOT a true autobiography..duh. Recommend this to ANYONE!!
I started reading this book expecting to dislike it, as it seemed like a corny war novel like any other. Though the content was indeed as expected, the way Tim O'Brien wrote it was definitely worth examining. The syntactical structure (yeah, I just used that in a sentence) is definitely enough to earn the rating that I gave it; the parallelism and symbolism run rampant throughout the novel.
Beautiful book, artistically written. I really didn't think I would enjoy it, but it was really wonderful!
Reading to my class starting this Monday. A great read and an interesting take on the war and what it can do to a person.
O'Brien's smart. O'Brien's a good writer. technically. but this book is all smoke, mirrors and mirrors and smoke. smoked mirrors. mirrored smoke.
i got so upset reading this book (upset at the way it's constructed. upset as the intention. the games O'Brien plays). so upset i must recommend it as a must-read.
i got so upset reading this book (upset at the way it's constructed. upset as the intention. the games O'Brien plays). so upset i must recommend it as a must-read.
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Bloom is a literary critic, and currently a Sterling Professor of the Humanities at Yale University. Since the publication of his first book in 1959, Bloom has written more than 20 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He has edited hundreds of anthologies.
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Jun 09, 2010 06:18am