The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien 2 stars

[Rachel N.]

Tim O'Brien writes several linked short stories loosely based on his experiences during the Vietnam War. I liked a few of the longer stories but I felt that a lot of the shorter stories were just filler and added as a way to try to make everything connect together. I really disliked O'Brien's writing style. Too many long paragraphs full of short sentences and a lot of repetition. This might have gotten three stars from me if not for the needless animal cruelty in parts of the book. O'Brien doesn't seem to have a problem with blowing animals up or shooting them to bits which disgusted me. He does feel remorse over killing humans but none for needlessly killing animals.

[Jen]

Oh wow, I loved this book. I actually disagree about the animals part - because I don't think he was making any kind of value judgment but rather describing senseless violence that occurs under extreme stress and war conditions. And while I found those parts horrendous, the things that many soldiers did and witnessed there were horrendous and this book attempted to capture that. I didn't ever think that Obrian was saying any of these things were okay. I work with Vietnam veterans in therapy and, for me, this book was extremely accurate in its portrayal of the ways in which the Vietnam war impacted soldiers psychologically. I'm sorry you didn't like it

[Denizen]

I'll join you, Rachel, in that minority of people that didn't care for this book. I read it too many years ago to assign stars to it but remember being very disappointed. Matterhorn is the book on the Vietnam war that had the most impact on me.

I also didn't care for O'Brien's In the Lake of the Woods so have decided he is not an author for me.

[Rachel N.]

I know I'm in the minority on this one and definitely don't think anyone should not read it because of my review. A lot of people love this book. I'm sure it's pretty accurate as to what happened in Vietnam. Most of what annoyed me is just his writing style in general. I'm putting O'Brien on my list of writers I dislike that others love and that I'm going to avoid in the future along with Cormac McCarthy.

[Tracy]

This is one of my favorites!

[Nicole D.]

ack ... pain pain, you are literally hurting me. :)

[Ellen]

Yep, I'm also in the didn't love it group. I agree with you Denizen - In the Lake of the Woods was not my cup of tea either.

[Regina Lindsey]

Ellen wrote: "Yep, I'm also in the didn't lMatterhornove it group. I agree with you Denizen - In the Lake of the Woods was not my cup of tea either."

I hate that you didn't find more satisfaction in this. But, everyone has different tastes. I agree Denizen, Matterhorn is a must read for reader interested in this era.

[Rachel N.]

I don't remember hearing about Matterhorn before. I'll definitely add it to the tbr pile.

[Ladyslott]

I really liked this book, I'm sorry you didn't. I will echo both Regina and Denizen in recommending Matterhorn, it's a great book. I listened to the audio read by Bronson Pinchot, who does a fantastic job.

It's currently on the PBT Fiction 100 list, I hope it stays after all the votes are calculated.

[Regina Lindsey]

Ladyslott wrote: "I really liked this book, I'm sorry you didn't. I will echo both Regina and Denizen in recommending Matterhorn, it's a great book. I listened to the audio read by Bronson Pinchot, who does a fantas..."

I can't imagine listening to it! It's so intense reading....wow

[Sara]

Ladyslott wrote: "I really liked this book, I'm sorry you didn't. I will echo both Regina and Denizen in recommending Matterhorn, it's a great book. I listened to the audio read by Bronson Pinchot, who does a fantas..."

I was listening to Matterhorn as well and had to put it aside temporarily. Pinochot is an excellent choice to narrate this novel.

As for the review of The Things They Carried, it hurts, but I am not overly shocked. I read it in my book club, and only two of us cared for it. But I also loved In the Lake of the Woods, so clearly his style of writing agrees with me.