Eight stars
I am back to read another of the early Nelson DeMille novels, in which the plot and storytelling prove to be the strongest part of the reading experience. DeMille showcases some humour, but this comes second to his attention to detail and touches on the complex issue of US military actions in Vietnam that may have been less than honourable. A well-developed piece that keeps the reader engaged and following some of the more troubling aspects of soldier decisions during the struggle to stay in control. DeMille impressed me once more.
Ben Tyson has made a name for himself in the 1980s. He's a corporate executive with brilliant skills that have helped him rise to the top. He loves his family and has a true connection to them. However, he has a secret, one from his time as a lieutenant in the US Army while serving in Vietnam. The men under Tyson's command committed a horrible atrocity in a hospital, where many were left slaughtered. The men swore that they would never talk of it again, with one another or anyone on the outside. Until now.
As the secrets were kept under wraps for years, they have all come out in a newly published book by an author with a penchant for intense detail. As the book gains notoriety, many begin to wonder if the truths in the book could have been covered-up and whether Ben Tyson could be held responsible for the massacre in that small Vietnamese town. While the US Government begins to ponder its options, Ben Tyson becomes a pariah and has to fight for him dignity. He is left to clean up the mess by being re-enlisted in the US Army to face a court-martial and brought to justice for his leadership decisions. While Tyson wants to be honest, he cannot wrap his head around the fact that he is being made a whipping boy twenty years later.
With his family in shatters and his personal life destroyed, Ben Tyson is forced to go through a court-martial to deal with his actions. He is forced to wander through military justice and hope that the independent nature of his men will not taint his career or his leadership choices. Nothing is off limits in this court-martial, though the final result could change the direction of Ben Tyson's life and future. A chilling story that has all the elements of a great piece of historical fiction with a powerful undertone of a courtroom thriller.
I have been reading some of the older Nelson DeMille novels of late, getting a better perspective on the man whose wit has always been to my liking. DeMille has an agenda and commentary in this early novel, using the narrative to express it all clearly. The story moves through a number of phases of the situation, both past and present, gaining momentum throughout as the court-martial becomes more a reality than simply an option. The political and social implications drip from each chapter, which helps tell a story the reader may not properly understand the Vietnam sentiment felt by those within and outside the military. Characters pepper the piece effectively and offer up a stunning set of ideas that will force the reader to synthesise the troubling tale.
Plot points are key to this story's intensity, which offers a tense theme. DeMille uses his strong writing skills to depict the themes effectively and uses plot points to keep things surprising and well worth the invested time the reader might invest. Political events that may not be currently savvy become highly intriguing once more with DeMille's book. I will keep reading some of the earlier novels, which exemplify great writing above sharp wit.
Kudos Mr. DeMille, for this awkward piece of historical fiction.
No comments:
Post a Comment