Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Going After Cacciato
Book Review: I didn't like parts of it, pretty much.
Summary: 3 Stars
School decided to suggest this book. It was the ONLY war novel on a list of like 30, mabye 20 books. So I decided to get it. I found the worst part is basically the rapid changes that appear in the book.Paul Berlin is pretty cool, he was the only character I actually liked though. Oscar was alright, Doc was fine, and Eddie was alright too. Cacciato is boring, he isn't even really a main character. As for the changes, there are so many, and there are things left out. Ok so sometimes they don't even tell you if a guy dies, and like 2 chapters later you read about him and think he is alive. Then you learn that you just went back in time. Huh? Alot of times in the book you will be reading, thinking you got it, then they talk about something completely different, and don't even tell you that it is a flashback of Paul Berlin's life. First page of the book tells you Stink woke up with a leech on his tounge, never read it in the book. Also, Stink is like a jumpy character. At one point he slaughters a water buffalo and just shoots it until it is mutilated. A few chapters later, we learn that Stink HATES blood, and he can't stand the site of it. Excuse me? You just told me Stink devoured a water buffalo with bullets and watched as skin flew off, now Stink hates blood?
The action is the thing that let me down though. There is practically none. Water buffalo getting shot, guy shooting helicopter, ending fight, that is it. Those 3 things are the only fighting in the book, and the only action. The first one is one page long, the second one is like 3 pages long and is extremely confusing at first, and the third one leaves you with no ending only that a guy was shot in the stomach. Lets not forget that explosion of the jail, oooo that was not spectacular. This novel doesn't really have anything to do with fighting, and is really just another depressing book. I mean it isn't depressing as some others, but alot of it is about the hardships they face.
The ending is unsatisfying, and is almost a way of screwing over the reader. You read the whole book, then learn that there was really no point to reading the book, cause there is no ending to what the book was about. Confused? Wait until you read Going After Cacciato.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, hold up, you gave the book 3 stars, Mdizzio." Sure I did, that's because it used foul language, im not trying to promote the use of foul language, but it was a definite pick me up over the stories in school that never used any real language. Well, with the exception of Huck Finn. I really just like how the characters don't act like angels 24/7.
Book Review: I expected a bit more...
Summary: 3 Stars
I picked up this book because I am a huge fan of Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" and "If I Die In a Combat Zone." Since I found both of these books to be particularly interesting and enjoyable to read, I thought that "Going After Cacciato" would be enjoyable as well.
Sure, O'Brien's wonderful writing style definitely shines through during some parts: his use of description, the reader's connection to the characters. However, overall I found the book to drag on for far to long and confuse me with the constantly changing places, people, and points of view. I was surprised that this book has gotten so much more positive recognition than O'Brien's other works, because it really didn't do too much for me.
Book Review: Interesting characters and idea but storyline is just ok
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a decent Vietnam story. If you want a gory book like the movies make it this is not for you, however- if you want a book that has an original plot and good characters, read it. Tim O'Brien has a first hand take on war and reveals his experience through ideas in this book. It isn't a book you can read in one sitting but it is a decent read for a boring weekend or plane flight.Book Review: Just didn't get it...
Summary: 2 Stars
I had never read anything by Tim O'Brien before "Going After Cacciato", and I had high hopes for this novel ... Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. I don't know, maybe I just didn't get it. Yes, there were some moving scenes and some well-written passages, but in my opinion they were few and far between. Yes, the plot was surreal, but it was also flat. I would give this book 2.5 stars if that were an option because I think Tim O'Brien does have some talent. However, this book just didn't do anything for me. I always judge a book based on if I would recommend it to my friends or family, and I cannot think of anyone I know that would truly enjoy this book.Book Review: Leaving a War
Summary: 4 Stars
Cacciato walks away from the war, away from Vietnam. He has an atlas and is determined to go to Paris - across India and Persia, through Greece. You know the way. The lieutenant takes his squad and follows him, determined to bring him back.
This is a surreal journey through the countryside of imagination and through the minds of unwilling participants in a senseless war. This is a hazy hallucination, a drug induced introspection, a rambling question without answer. It's a very good book as well. O'Brien captures the mood of Vietnam and its dangers and the simple desires of men who don't want to die, who don't want to climb down into tunnels. His brief sentences and exquisite pacing bring this world alive for the reader.
Going After Cacciato is a fantasy escape from reality, a shared dream of American men in an unfriendly land. It's prompted by the excesses of brutality and the fear that never stops - heart racing always on guard, never safe - the fear that causes men to wish for an easier mission in an easier land.
Well worth the time to read this. To understand that war heroes and combat veterans don't want to be either.
- CV Rick