What do you think?
Rate this book
Rising Like the Tucson
“Jeff Danziger has written a tough, scary, funny novel that deftly limns the overwhelming lunacy of the war in Vietnam. Large in scope, rich in character and incident, Rising Like the Tucson gets things exactly right. This was a weird mix of blundering and bravery.” —Tim O’Brien Echoing Catch-22 , Rising Like the Tucson is a darkly hilarious tale of death and real estate in Vietnam. Lt. Kit is caught in the end of the conflict. Abandoned by his government, he and his fellow officers try to answer the great questions of is this a defeat or an investment opportunity?
Paperback
First published August 1, 1991
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 20, 2024
Another Vietnam novel? Yes, there appears to be an appetite in me for this stuff. Like I wrote in other novels' reviews, like for Sand in the Wind movies like Apocalypse Now and Platoon instilled in me a kind of Platonic concept of this time and place in the jungle with a bunch of Western guys being sent there against their will. That draft, it'll change your life. Thankfully the draft here in the Netherlands is voluntary. You still get a letter at your eighteenth birthday, but you don't have to show up. The pay is pretty good, and there is very little chance of seeing action.
Only one review besides me! How did I find this obscure book? I remember I was searching the university library catalogue with the keywords Dog Soldiers [by] Robert Stone, as that was (and is? I think so) my all-time favorite novel and wanted to read stuff like it. Then I came across an academic article discussing several Vietnam novels, one of them this one. So by virtue of association I decided to give it a go. Also the article mentioned that Lieutenant Kit, one of Rising's main characters, was a great character since he embodied some part of America or something, I'll have to look it up someday. Anyway.
What makes this book special? What haven't I read before?
This book takes place mostly in some command post in Vietnam, populated with generals, lieutenants, lieutenant generals, majors, colonel, etc. That makes for a reading experience different from those showcasing privates, corporals and sergeants. It's pretty interesting for a while. The narrative walks a tightrope between the deadpan folly and incompetence of all involved, and harsh conditions of the very real war conditions. About halfway to three quarters through, the narrative loses balanceand the characters aren't interesting enough, or too egotistical or stupid, to make you root for them at the big final showdown.
I always know I can't give a novel four stars when I'm wishing it was over for the last bit. With four stars, the novel is flawed but you still don't want it to end.
Only one review besides me! How did I find this obscure book? I remember I was searching the university library catalogue with the keywords Dog Soldiers [by] Robert Stone, as that was (and is? I think so) my all-time favorite novel and wanted to read stuff like it. Then I came across an academic article discussing several Vietnam novels, one of them this one. So by virtue of association I decided to give it a go. Also the article mentioned that Lieutenant Kit, one of Rising's main characters, was a great character since he embodied some part of America or something, I'll have to look it up someday. Anyway.
What makes this book special? What haven't I read before?
This book takes place mostly in some command post in Vietnam, populated with generals, lieutenants, lieutenant generals, majors, colonel, etc. That makes for a reading experience different from those showcasing privates, corporals and sergeants. It's pretty interesting for a while. The narrative walks a tightrope between the deadpan folly and incompetence of all involved, and harsh conditions of the very real war conditions. About halfway to three quarters through, the narrative loses balanceand the characters aren't interesting enough, or too egotistical or stupid, to make you root for them at the big final showdown.
I always know I can't give a novel four stars when I'm wishing it was over for the last bit. With four stars, the novel is flawed but you still don't want it to end.
June 29, 2012
Very much like Catch-22, but at least Catch-22 had some guys you rooted for. Maybe it's me, but I just don't enjoy unrelenting war, stupidity, and greed. There's a tiny bit of wry humor, but nothing I find all that funny. And I just don't like books without any characters that have any redeeming qualities at all.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews