Posted: 12 October 2005 at 10:34pm | IP Logged
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I never heard of this book before I saw the trailer for the movie. The movie looks good with some fine actors in it. I read some reviews about the book and it seemed like it might be a cool read. I was blown away. Swofford's voice is great. He doesn't fluff up his language(but hes a marine-is he capable?) or make everything over dramatic. He's straight forward with lines full of harsh words, dirty words and even dirtier words. But it worked. He had a unique voice and the book moves along at a great pace. Hemingway is even mentioned.
I usually don't read war book unless their from WW2 or before but I'm happy I picked this one up. It's a grunts view of Desert Storm and the events that shaped his patriotism and shattered it. It shows us the boy becoming a man who faces death and leaves somewhat smarter but haunted by the way he now sees things. The book moves back and forth between times and it does a good job - never leaving the reader wondering what the heck just happened.
Has anybody heard or read this book? If not I suggest reading it. You'll discover a new voice. How many authors would talk about war and admit -
"I've pissed my pants, but only a bit, a small dark marker the shape of a thrid world country on my trousers. My heart rate climbs.'
Papa Cosa
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