Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried

by Harold Bloom

This collection of stories from Tim O'Brien paints an often-brutal portrait of soldiers' lives during the Vietnam War. More than two decades after its initial publication, this new classic of American fiction is being featured for the first time in the long-running Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations series. Complete with an introduction from the venerable Harold Bloom, and featuring a chronology of O'Brien's life, a bibliography of his works, and an index for reference, this volume of critical essays is a valuable source for students of literature studying The Things They Carried.

Genres: Fiction

162 pages, Library Binding

Published June 1, 2011

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Samantha Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the odd introduction by Bloom (it appears he's not a fan of the novel!), this collection of critical essays offers an interesting range of critical opinions and insights.