Feels like the start of a second wave of Iraq war literature. All the tropes are firmly in place and now the author is trying to do something with theFeels like the start of a second wave of Iraq war literature. All the tropes are firmly in place and now the author is trying to do something with them. Especially towards the end of the novel, it started to feel like Generation Kill meets Raymond Chandler, ie there's a whole lot of violence and a detective who means well but isn't always up to the task at hand.
I was quite leery going into this novel–it's an understatement to say that what's essentially a thriller set in an ongoing war risks being glib. But the author never lets you forget that this is America's biggest foreign policy blunder in a generation, and that the American military–even when employing soldiers with the best of intentions–isn't the force for good that so many people wish it was, or at least not in this way.
Other thoughts:
– There's seems to be more about Iraq's people and culture than most of these sorts of books, though that's a low bar to set.
– The ending was perfect.
– There were parts in the first bit of the book where I found myself not trusting the author. Too many of the characters seemed like little more than the standard tropes, but it's just a setup. Some of the best parts of the book are where the characters show how much of a facade some of these stereotypes are.
– I liked how all of the Americans were disillusioned with the promise of their country, even warning the Iraqi civilians not to bother immigrating. Rios says there's no war in Texas, but theres also no Mercedes or mansions there either, not for the likes of us.
– I wish there'd been more about the stolen money. You hear so much about that sort of thing having happened, it would've been nicer to take a closer look at it.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher....more
Expands on the surreal and dark imagery of his songs to create an enthralling universReceived a copy of this book from Goodreads.
Tall tales well told.
Expands on the surreal and dark imagery of his songs to create an enthralling universe of stories about small-town Nova Scotia, baseball, music and doomed love.
Hoping we'll see more of this literary side of Rich Terfry/Buck 65....more
Received this book as part of a Good Reads giveaway.
Accidentally stayed up all night reading this (story of my life). A true account of a boy who lostReceived this book as part of a Good Reads giveaway.
Accidentally stayed up all night reading this (story of my life). A true account of a boy who lost his family and lived as an orphan in Calcutta. He gets adopted by Australians and makes it a mission to find his family with the advent of Google Earth and Facebook. An incredible story....more
I received a free copy of this book from GoodReads.
A good history of the lead up to the First World War. MacMillan is at her best when she's describinI received a free copy of this book from GoodReads.
A good history of the lead up to the First World War. MacMillan is at her best when she's describing the people making the decisions. The Kaiser and Archduke Franz Ferdinand make for particularly good subjects because of just how eccentric they were and how out of touch they can sometimes come across as. Also of interest is development and shaping of public opinion, which perhaps for the first time was a factor that leaders could ignore only at their own peril....more
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