Melissa McShane > Status Update

Drat! I bet it's way too late to tell you to PUT THE BOOK DOWN and read Welcome to Vietnam first, isn't it? :) To answer your question properly - I think you'll like 'Tis the Season a lot more if you read it first, but I don't think it'll do much to change your experience of The Road Home. I read TRH first, went back to TtS and was a little disappointed, having foolishly expected/hoped for a lot less of Rebecca's desperate plight in the jungle and a lot more Mike. But then I'd probably never have picked up a book about Vietnam if it hadn't been about a nurse (thanks to having loved what I saw of China Beach back in the day), so the poor reading order was probably the only way. I am going to push the Mike books on you VERY HARD though, assuming you continue being ensnared by Rebecca. TRH is absolute genius, and some of what the author has done geniusly can only be appreciated if you read the other books too. (Or at least I like to think that's what's going on!)

Hallie wrote: "Drat! I bet it's way too late to tell you to PUT THE BOOK DOWN and read Welcome to Vietnam first, isn't it? :)"

It absolutely is not! I am so impressed with The Road Home that I went ahead and ordered it...and then found out the library doesn't carry all the others...so I may just go back to P.C. Hodgell for a bit until I get the series for myself. It's Mike's voice in those letters that's captivated me and made me think I want to read more about him...so I will!

Melissa wrote: "
It absolutely is not! I am so impressed with The Road Home that I went ahead and ordered it...and then found out the library doesn't carry all the others...so I may just go back to P.C. Hodgell for a bit until I get the series for myself. It's Mike's voice in those letters that's captivated me and made me think I want to read more about him...so I will! ..."

It feels incredibly mean to say "Don't listen to Beth" when she's been too busy to be around, so I won't. :) But I'm glad I saw your question in time all the same, even if late! You get the same offer I made her though, and if you can't find any of the books, just let me know and I'll send them to you. Nothing in the libraries over here, of course, and after The Road Home, 'Tis the Season and Welcome to Vietnam (in that order), I HAD to get hold of them all, no question. Can't wait to discuss with you! :)

I managed to find all five (from different stores, naturally, so they will all appear out of order) so I should be able to discuss in a month or so!

Melissa wrote: "I managed to find all five (from different stores, naturally, so they will all appear out of order) so I should be able to discuss in a month or so!"

Eeeeee! Ahem. Looking forward to some sober and detached discussions with you. .... Nah, can't say it even jokingly. :)