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vickitoria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
peachykeenebooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
elyphant_06's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pizzamyheart's review against another edition
5.0
Very heavy war book focused on a young man from Brooklyn fighting in the Vietnam War.
The audiobook was wonderfully narrated and the pacing is fast and heart pounding. I genuinely didn't know if the MC would make it or if the ending would be abrupt, further highlighting the atrocities of war.
I'm surprised this isn't a mandatory read, but I could see how others would advocate against this book. By highlighting the atrocities of war, this may discourage many from enlisting in future wars.
The audiobook was wonderfully narrated and the pacing is fast and heart pounding. I genuinely didn't know if the MC would make it or if the ending would be abrupt, further highlighting the atrocities of war.
I'm surprised this isn't a mandatory read, but I could see how others would advocate against this book. By highlighting the atrocities of war, this may discourage many from enlisting in future wars.
cadillaceazy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book to read for a realism classes solely based on Walter Dean Myers. He writes incredible fiction, and so naturally, I wanted to read more of his work. What I got was a Vietnam war novel--something so incredibly out of my comfort zone. And yet, Walter Dean Myers proves his talent. This book was enjoyable, horrifying, intriguing, entertaining. He describes the pain, camaraderie, fear probably all too well. And even worse is that all of this is happening to a 17 year old thousands of miles away from home.
While Perry is in Vietnam, however, he makes friends of a lifetime, and learns the true cost of bravery and fear. This book was difficult to read at times, which is a-given considering that it's a war novel, but at other times, this book fit right in with what I've learned about history and the struggles of black folks from my other classes and reading. For real though, I lucked out with this book. There were 19 books on the list in my class to choose from, and I think I got the best one. Walter Dean Myers is incomparable, and his novel is filled with the breadth of what it means to be a human being.
Review cross-listed here!
While Perry is in Vietnam, however, he makes friends of a lifetime, and learns the true cost of bravery and fear. This book was difficult to read at times, which is a-given considering that it's a war novel, but at other times, this book fit right in with what I've learned about history and the struggles of black folks from my other classes and reading. For real though, I lucked out with this book. There were 19 books on the list in my class to choose from, and I think I got the best one. Walter Dean Myers is incomparable, and his novel is filled with the breadth of what it means to be a human being.
Review cross-listed here!
audreychamaine's review against another edition
4.0
Richie Perry has joined the army in order to escape Harlem. When he is mistakenly sent to Vietnam despite his bad knee, he isn’t too concerned. He hears reports that the war is nearly over, and doubts that he’ll have to spend much time in combat, if any at all. Together with the other young men in his squad, Perry faces combat situations of nightmarish intensity. He wonders if he’ll ever be the same—and if he’ll get out alive.
This novel is gritty and realistic. Battle scenes convey the confusion of not knowing who or where your enemy is, or why he is your enemy. The rigors of army life are also unflinchingly described. Myers has written a riveting book where we are compelled to read faster in the hope that the characters survive.
This novel is gritty and realistic. Battle scenes convey the confusion of not knowing who or where your enemy is, or why he is your enemy. The rigors of army life are also unflinchingly described. Myers has written a riveting book where we are compelled to read faster in the hope that the characters survive.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fabulous- well written, touching, funny, disturbing, informative, sad... so many adjectives fit how this book makes you feel.
When I started it I didn't know much about the Vietnam War, but reading about Richie Perry, a 17 year old boy from Harlen, in the boonies of 'Nam taught me more than I ever thought I would and not just facts, but the down and dirty of a soldier in the middle of it all.
When I started it I didn't know much about the Vietnam War, but reading about Richie Perry, a 17 year old boy from Harlen, in the boonies of 'Nam taught me more than I ever thought I would and not just facts, but the down and dirty of a soldier in the middle of it all.