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The Taste of Metal : A Deserter's Story
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 29, 2025
It is a compelling autobiography told by a Montreal author, who is a native of Nebraska. It's about how he reached Canada, after he deserted the US army during the war in Vietnam. The way he connects to the people he grew up with to his current struggle for survival is very anecdotal and emotional as he expresses his own demons after being at war, even if for a short period. He learns of the long term effects of the Vietnam war on his friends, and sees how his own life is derailed; his love life, his connection to his family and everything familiar are all gone as he cannot go back to the US for a certain amount of years.
In the section after Jack deserts the US army, the PTSD of past veterans is revealed with a multitude of psychological effects which shows his own personal recovery as a young adult as being slow and heart wrenching. He has to pick up the pieces and start a new life in Canada. He has journalism experience but he leaves everything behind in the US : a promising job with the Miami Herald, his social connections and love life...
If you have an interest to read about a young adult's personal experience with the Vietnam War and a rebellion to the rules and deceptions of the Vietnam war, this would be a good read. Also, if you enjoy raw, colloquial language which at times shifts to very poetic descriptions I highly suggest you read The Taste of Metal.
In the section after Jack deserts the US army, the PTSD of past veterans is revealed with a multitude of psychological effects which shows his own personal recovery as a young adult as being slow and heart wrenching. He has to pick up the pieces and start a new life in Canada. He has journalism experience but he leaves everything behind in the US : a promising job with the Miami Herald, his social connections and love life...
If you have an interest to read about a young adult's personal experience with the Vietnam War and a rebellion to the rules and deceptions of the Vietnam war, this would be a good read. Also, if you enjoy raw, colloquial language which at times shifts to very poetic descriptions I highly suggest you read The Taste of Metal.
January 8, 2015
Compared to Fetherling, it's less literary, but an interesting insight into the angst of a Viet Nam era draft deserter. I knew several in my youth and sympathized with their dilemma. Todd in his advancing dodderage (as am I, I confess) loses his distaste for the regime and nationalism that he disowned. It is typical of the American psyche. I finished not knowing whether he embraced Canada or whether we were just a convenient camping spot close to his real home in America.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews