On January 16, 2019 we kicked off the new year with our meeting hosted by Carol
to discuss her book choice "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien.
We welcomed back Marsha Callahan who had not attended in a long
while. We also welcomed first time attendee Carol Hawkins. Kathy, Madeleine,
Sarah, Betsy and I also attended.
Most people had read the book which led to a very lively discussion of
a Vietnam war book based on several linked short stories remembered by the author who
served on the ground in the 23rd division.
The author starts by listing the physical items a soldier carried as well as their
weight. He then expands into the mental baggage that a soldier carries around
with him while participating in a war which he does not understand.
The author writes very well and is able to create the physical horror of war,
dismembered bodies, gruesome depictions of explosions, and the general
destruction of war. He also grapples with the emotional aspects of cowardice,
mortality, honor, trauma and the loss of humanity that soldiers experience
during war. He is able to depict the bond that is created amongst the platoon
members and how they coped with humor and lots of drugs.
He uses a technique of telling the same story through different eyes which
is quite an effective one.
The author deals with the returning Vietnam veteran and the alienation
that they feel when the return from a surreal and ambiguous war.
Carol served a great supper after with enchiladas and a chicken bacon salad
finished off with peppermint ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.
We chose February 27th to be the next meeting to discuss Julie's book
entitled, "The Girl Who Wrote In Silk" by Kelli Estes. Julie has agreed
to host the next meeting and I will send out a reminder with details.
