The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried is a very new kind of book for me, I often keep within the realm of fiction or I learn about history through research but I loved the puzzling collection of emotion and stories that Tim O’Brien brings to his novels. As a requirement for class I had to read the book and I found O’Brien and his writing style inspiring and very unique or at least different than what I was used to. I liked the lack clarity, how I can truly begin to comprehend what something like war can do to a person. I believe that this book is the ultimate example of how you can travel the world and live hundreds of different lives through reading. As a high schooler I was given the opportunity to learn about something as common but almost impossible to empathise with, in such a way that allowed me to grasp the edges of what others have felt and been through. This was my first time reading any of O’Brien’s works, so his style of writing and the kind of thought he puts into his characters, perspective, and storyline really messed with me. I loved the focus on emotion rather than truth, and how the book stood to prove that the emotion that he created through his words were more true than the pure facts. I will definitely continue to read the rest of his works and explore more outside of what I’m accustomed to. 

A quick note to any students reading this book for class, I keep all my notes and am happy to share :)

Happy Reading!!