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The Post-War Dream
War broke his spirit. Can a young marine find healing in a world he’ll never see the same way again?
The South Atlantic Ocean, 1982. Royal Marine Fletcher Layne never expected to see combat when he enlisted, despite his father’s vehement protests. Yet when he is deployed to the tiny Falklands Islands, he figures Argentina wouldn’t dare challenge the islands’ mighty British sovereignty. But all hell breaks loose over the territorial dispute, and he’s devastated when a bullet misses him and kills a young comrade.
Returning home with a heavy heart plagued by guilt, Fletcher resents any celebration of his heroism and his parent’s disapproval. And as the traumatized survivor wrestles with two imagined voices of nagging conscience, he fears not even the gentle touch of a kind nurse will get him through to a peaceful tomorrow.
Can he gain ground over his anguish before the darkness drags him down forever?
The South Atlantic Ocean, 1982. Royal Marine Fletcher Layne never expected to see combat when he enlisted, despite his father’s vehement protests. Yet when he is deployed to the tiny Falklands Islands, he figures Argentina wouldn’t dare challenge the islands’ mighty British sovereignty. But all hell breaks loose over the territorial dispute, and he’s devastated when a bullet misses him and kills a young comrade.
Returning home with a heavy heart plagued by guilt, Fletcher resents any celebration of his heroism and his parent’s disapproval. And as the traumatized survivor wrestles with two imagined voices of nagging conscience, he fears not even the gentle touch of a kind nurse will get him through to a peaceful tomorrow.
Can he gain ground over his anguish before the darkness drags him down forever?
- GenresFiction
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2022
8 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Brian Paone
37 books361 followersBrian Paone—a Salem, Massachusetts native displaced to northern Virginia—has been a published novelist since 2007. Brian is primarily a speculative fiction author who doesn’t know how to stay in his lane. His novels feature an array of subgenres for those readers who dare to venture just outside of realism.
Brian is a police detective in Maryland and has worked in law enforcement since 2002. He is the father to four children, a self-proclaimed rollercoaster junkie, a Star Wars 501st member since 2005, a New England Patriots fanatic, and his favorite color is burnt orange. In 2019, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming the proud owner of a 1981 DeLorean!
Brian is a police detective in Maryland and has worked in law enforcement since 2002. He is the father to four children, a self-proclaimed rollercoaster junkie, a Star Wars 501st member since 2005, a New England Patriots fanatic, and his favorite color is burnt orange. In 2019, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming the proud owner of a 1981 DeLorean!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 5, 2023
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!
Pink Floyd’s The Final Cut is my favorite album. This book brings that album to life in ways I didn’t know were possible.
Even if you’ve never heard the album - this is still a great read! I could barely put this down - and when I did put it down - I continued to think about it.
This is going to stay wilt me for a while. Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much!!!
Pink Floyd’s The Final Cut is my favorite album. This book brings that album to life in ways I didn’t know were possible.
Even if you’ve never heard the album - this is still a great read! I could barely put this down - and when I did put it down - I continued to think about it.
This is going to stay wilt me for a while. Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much!!!
May 18, 2022
** ARC reader **
"Can't let them see the cracks!"
Set against the well-researched backdrop of England's history and indelible patriotic pride, author Brian Paone presents an artful evolution of Pink Floyd's concept album; The Final Cut
The Post-War Dream revolves around Fletcher Payne and in part, his father Arnold; both veterans scarred and jaded by two separate wars.
A heart wrenching secret and survivor's guilt begin to spiral Fletcher into a living hell and extract heavy personal tolls as he struggles to face down the battlefield ghosts that followed him home.
Although the intricate character development took time to build, the story unfolds into a well-paced cerebral, yet poignant novel about the living casualties of war and the patience of love.
Authentic wordage, regional slang
and localized references add quality and class to the entire book.
While The Post-War Dream is an excellent choice for veterans, rock fiction/faction fans and history aficionados alike, I recommend this well-rounded story of human nature to any reader or book club looking to diversify their summer reading list.
"Can't let them see the cracks!"
Set against the well-researched backdrop of England's history and indelible patriotic pride, author Brian Paone presents an artful evolution of Pink Floyd's concept album; The Final Cut
The Post-War Dream revolves around Fletcher Payne and in part, his father Arnold; both veterans scarred and jaded by two separate wars.
A heart wrenching secret and survivor's guilt begin to spiral Fletcher into a living hell and extract heavy personal tolls as he struggles to face down the battlefield ghosts that followed him home.
Although the intricate character development took time to build, the story unfolds into a well-paced cerebral, yet poignant novel about the living casualties of war and the patience of love.
Authentic wordage, regional slang
and localized references add quality and class to the entire book.
While The Post-War Dream is an excellent choice for veterans, rock fiction/faction fans and history aficionados alike, I recommend this well-rounded story of human nature to any reader or book club looking to diversify their summer reading list.
January 3, 2023
This novel, based on Pink Floyd’s most misunderstood album, is so much better than you might guess if all you know is the inspiration.
While perhaps not adhering strictly to the characters Roger Waters created, it’s an extremely moving story of intergenerational trauma, full of empathy for the ordinary lives caught up in the soap opera of state.
But this isn’t just for Pink Floyd fans out to spot some references. This is a rewarding and indeed important read, even if you’ve never heard of the band. You might not recognise why characters have certain names, and it doesn’t matter one bit. The Floyd references can sometimes seem a little bit forced but that’s partly because I was so engrossed in the narrative, I forgot it was based on an album.
For a non-Brit, Brian Paone writes English characters and setting very convincingly. Only the occasional linguistic anachronism stands out. My only criticism is that the female characters seem to lack the depth of the male characters, even when are significant to the story. Even so, this is a book which will stay with me for a long time.
While perhaps not adhering strictly to the characters Roger Waters created, it’s an extremely moving story of intergenerational trauma, full of empathy for the ordinary lives caught up in the soap opera of state.
But this isn’t just for Pink Floyd fans out to spot some references. This is a rewarding and indeed important read, even if you’ve never heard of the band. You might not recognise why characters have certain names, and it doesn’t matter one bit. The Floyd references can sometimes seem a little bit forced but that’s partly because I was so engrossed in the narrative, I forgot it was based on an album.
For a non-Brit, Brian Paone writes English characters and setting very convincingly. Only the occasional linguistic anachronism stands out. My only criticism is that the female characters seem to lack the depth of the male characters, even when are significant to the story. Even so, this is a book which will stay with me for a long time.
February 28, 2023
Great Story
Really enjoyed this book. Described perfectly the post traumatic effects of war and the ultimate recovery from and acceptance of events. Loved Carter and Dobbs. Smashing read well recommended.
Really enjoyed this book. Described perfectly the post traumatic effects of war and the ultimate recovery from and acceptance of events. Loved Carter and Dobbs. Smashing read well recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews