The Things They Carried is a set of related short stories, most of them about the author's service in the Vietnam War. Many of the same characters appeared in the stories, but each story could stand alone (although they were related enough that you wanted to read all of them). My favorite story was
On the Rainy River which told about the author receiving his draft notice and struggling with the decision of whether to report for duty or go to Canada. Many people believe that going to Canada was the cowardly way out, but I've always believed that it took great courage to leave behind your home, family, friends, your entire way of life, knowing you could never return. This story showed just how difficult a decision that was for young men during this time in our history.
In
Spin, the author states:
"Forty-three years old, and the war occurred half a lifetime ago, and yet remembering makes it now. And sometimes remembering will lead to a story, which makes it forever. That's what stories are for. Stories are for joining the past to the future. Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can't remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember except the story."
And in
Good Form, the author explains the differences between "happening-truth" and "story-truth.
I haven't read very many books about Vietnam, but of those I've read, Tim O'Brien is my favorite author. This is my 4th book for the Vietnam War Reading Challenge. I rate this book 5 out of 5.
