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Stefan's Promise

Sam Rennick

4.50 · Rating details · 8 ratings · 6 reviews

THE VIETNAM WAR CHANGED AMERICA.
TWO BEST FRIENDS WEREN'T SPARED.
ONLY ONE WAS DRAFTED.

It's 1968. America is rocked by assassinations, war protests and political upheaval. Alan Young, 21, is brooding over having been dumped by his girlfriend. This won't last long. His draft notice is in the mail.
Stefan Kopinski isn't about to let the war get in his way. He spends his ...more

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Paperback, 562 pages

Published September 3rd 2019 by Hugo House Publishers

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Feb 07, 2020 Jypsy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Thank you IRead and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Stefan's Promise
By: Sam Rennick

*REVIEW*

From the beginning, reading Stefan's Promise was no small undertaking. It's heavy, literally and figuratively, and requires attentiveness. I mention this not to intimidate but to encourage you to pick up this book and challenge yourself to read something authentic and moving. In my case, I found the story educational because of Thank you IRead and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Stefan's Promise
By: Sam Rennick

*REVIEW* ☆☆☆☆

From the beginning, reading Stefan's Promise was no small undertaking. It's heavy, literally and figuratively, and requires attentiveness. I mention this not to intimidate but to encourage you to pick up this book and challenge yourself to read something authentic and moving. In my case, I found the story educational because of all the major wars, I know the least about Vietnam. It's not a through and through war story, though. Divided into two parts, the story focuses on Alan and Stefan-beginning as college buddies-and the divergent paths their lives follow.
Part one is Alan's story. Like so many young men of this era, Alan wanted no part of the war or the draft, but life is nothing if not ironic. When Alan received his draft notice, he vacated to Canada, thus becoming a draft dogger. This lifestyle, however, is not at all what Alan anticipated, and things don't work out great for Alan. Eventually, his moral compass won out, and Alan returned to face the consequences of his actions. During this time, Stefan's life took a very different course, and part two is Stefan's story. He didn't go to war because the system worked in his favor. Stefan became a workaholic lawyer with a nice family, and Alan fell away over time, despite letters he had written Stefan. It's funny how some friendships survive despite a near lifetime of separation. When Alan is suddenly in need, Stefan is there without hesitation. The bond these two formed in college is strong and steadfast. They are loyal, trusting and accepting of one another. Alan and Stefan evaluate the choices they have made and try to better understand how they became who they are. What is really important? Have you wasted your life? If you looked back at your life right now, would you feel regret or satisfaction? Stefan's Promise is a story about so many important and relevant topics, giving the reader so much to ponder. I am glad I read a story that encouraged genuine thought from me about things that matter, rather than a simple evaluation of whether I was entertained or not. This Vietnam era story is not for everyone, but if it appeals to your taste, then do try it because it's worth the time and effort. ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Grace Ann rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An engaging story about truth, ambition, family and betrayals. A story told amidst America's political upheavals and the Vietnam war. Sam has portrayed his characters, Alan Young and Stefan Kopinski with striking awareness and perspectives about the political and social situation of this period causing much drama and uncertainty to their fates. In the end, their lives and their friendship becomes morally enlightening for them.

For me, Alan Young represented many of the Young men who were drafted An engaging story about truth, ambition, family and betrayals. A story told amidst America's political upheavals and the Vietnam war. Sam has portrayed his characters, Alan Young and Stefan Kopinski with striking awareness and perspectives about the political and social situation of this period causing much drama and uncertainty to their fates. In the end, their lives and their friendship becomes morally enlightening for them.

For me, Alan Young represented many of the Young men who were drafted for the Vietnam war at that time against their own personal convictions. Just like Alan, they were "against all war" and felt that "Vietnam was wrong because no argument could ever justify killing the innocent." They, nevertheless, still had to comply with the law or else face the consequences of getting tried and imprisoned.

Alan's situation here gives us a good view of the political issues and the social and psychological impact of war. Refusing to go to war, he went into exile. And despite having a good education, he was not fortunate enough to have a good employment. Getting married,suffering from unstable jobs and facing his guilt of having 'ran away' eventually wearied his spirits and mental being. As such, mental distress happens when we can no longer cope with the downtimes in our lives and fail to make sense of our value and self-worth any longer. And Stefan has said it, "sadly, he doesn’t believe in himself any longer."

Stefan, his dear friend however, believes in him. He could not leave Alan be destroyed by his mental state as he told Art, he is 'going back to St. Louis because he owes Alan and he’s his promise.' By helping Alan on his way to mental recovery, Stefan finds his own worth and fulfilment. On the other hand, Alan needed the love, the trust, the acceptance shown by his best friend because it is in him that he finds security and confidence in expressing himself without boundaries. It makes us realize the essential things in life. It is also a blessing if we have even just one person in our life -a family, a relative, a friend who believes in us and stand by us in times of great distress.

I would greatly recommend this heart-warming novel. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ...more

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Jan 28, 2020 Marilyn R. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Stefan's Promise was an interesting book to read. It is actually two books in one, the two stories written many years apart, but presented as a single novel. While both characters are a part of both books, the first half more intimately follows the life journey of Alan Young. The second focuses more on Stefan Kopinski's, as well as bringing them back together.

The early setting is in university during the Vietnam war and the two young men are fast friends. But as each graduates (not the same Stefan's Promise was an interesting book to read. It is actually two books in one, the two stories written many years apart, but presented as a single novel. While both characters are a part of both books, the first half more intimately follows the life journey of Alan Young. The second focuses more on Stefan Kopinski's, as well as bringing them back together.

The early setting is in university during the Vietnam war and the two young men are fast friends. But as each graduates (not the same year), their lives take different paths. Alan receives his draft notice. As a conscientious objector, he heads to Canada where he finds life it not as hoped. There is little work and a fair amount of prejudice towards draft dodgers. Even his desire to head back to university is thwarted. He marries and has a child, but finds life unsatisfying. In the end, Alan makes a decision to own up to his choices and head back to the US to face the music. He is a man whose personal sense of right and wrong drives him forward despite the consequences.

Stefan on the other hand manages to get an exception by working the system. He finishes his law degree and after a lot of door knocking, lands a job that puts him on the road to success as a lawyer. As his career rises, he changes to a wife more in line with the image he needs. He is consumed by his work. Although Alan sends regular letters, Stefan chooses to let that friendship slide. He has come to consider it a university friendship that has nothing to offer given how their paths diverged. Then Alan faces a serious crisis. Stefan not only flies to help, but begins to get some clarity on his life and the choices he has made.

I enjoyed reading Stefan's Promise. I found it a little pat that most things went wrong for one character and most things went right for the other. But the way they were brought back together and how the story wrapped up was interesting. I was intrigued to read in the interview he did put Stefan's Promise forward as a two book series and found little interest - they preferred a single book - as I think it would have benefited by being two. But that is just my personal opinion. ...more

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Feb 06, 2020 BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, contemporary

What I Loved:
Stefan’s Promise is a book broken into two separate stories. I enjoyed the writer was able to separate the story by so many years and keep me connected and interested in the character’s lives.

How I Felt:
The story of these two character’s lives felt so real. I forgot I was reading fiction at times and would have to remind myself it wasn’t a memoir! Sam Rennick’s writing was beautiful.

The Characters: Alan and Stefan are the two main characters in Stefan’s Promise. I liked and ...more

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Feb 04, 2020 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Stefan’s Promise is a great debut for Sam Rennick. It begins during the turmoil of 1968 with college best friends, Alan Young and Stefan Kopinski. During that period of time, there are protests all over the United States, assassinations of political and important civil rights leaders, and Vietnam War. The two friends soon find themselves at odds and, sadly, soon lose touch.

Stefan’s Promise is one of those unique novels that reads like a memoir of actual events and what feels like real people. I ...more

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Jan 30, 2020 Leila rated it it was amazing

This was such a different type of read that I am used to, but I am glad that I took the chance and gave this book a try. While it wasn’t what I considered my “norm”; I found it to be an enjoyable read.

Two warnings; one, the book is very long. It’s probably close to one of the longest books I have read in awhile. Two, and the author warns this himself in the beginning, the author has a unique way of writing. It isn’t quite modern, it’s more educated, professional, and “olden” writing. A few areas ...more

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