We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Martin Griffin
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The premise of this book is so unique that it demanded to be read: An English musician travels to Vietnam during the height of the war and writes about his experiences there. Unfortunately, the author
is not a writer and turned a terrific tale into a pretty miserable read.
He is given credit for trying to write down his memories of working in Asia, but he should have called on a professional writer to transcribe his story. It is simply not written very well; there is no arc to the story, no ebb and flow, no character development, and miserable dialogue. At one point, he even suggests that the reader skip over several pages.
"If you're not interested, you can skip a couple of pages. I don't mind, but it might help to understand things."
He is trying to be clever and use literary license and all of that, but it is just a notion that doesn't work. At the end of the book, he even says that what you've just read is over and that's it.
"That's the end of the story, actually. It's a bit like one of those English shaggy dog stories, that go on and on for hours and hours and then suddenly dribble out while you're still waiting for the punch line."
So, Griffin didn't really have a clue. It is a different take on the war, and if you find your way through the literary mess, the story does have some simple charm.
Originally published on Curled Up With A Good Book at www.curledup.com. © Steven Rosen, 2009
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