The Things They Carried

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1. lubujacksonJun 2025
   I don't know if that's entirely accurate.

   I just read The Body (basis for Stand By Me) and it was as personal and emotionally complex as any literary-approved fiction. It reminded me a lot of The Things They Carried, actually.

   I think the biggest issue is that once he was pidgeonholed into being a "trope-master, scary fiction guy", no one would look at his writing any other way. And to be fair, MOST of his writing is overwrought genre stuff, but he has certainly developed into a fine craftsman at his best.

   The reality is that most "literary" fiction is terrible and navel-gazing, seemingly written to land tenure somewhere or push some stupid literary trend that is just as vapid as any other publishing trend, only less fun. Historically, most fiction (or art in general) that persists was wildly successful in its time as a prerequisite.

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2. sky2224Oct 2024
   A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

   I didn't read it on my own personally, rather, it was read in my eighth grade class from beginning to end. Lots of discussion was had about the foreshadowing and meaning behind Dickens' words. At the time I really didn't appreciate it as much as I should have, but I'm incredibly grateful that my teacher made us read through that.

   The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brian was another one read in class that I think helped shape my perspective on the world for the better.

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3. moateMar 2024
   Good thing you’re not an English teacher then.

   A thing to consider about the goal of education: when done correctly, they’re not trying to make you love every you read (I will never appreciate reading Shakespeare) but ideally are just trying to expose you to a wide range of things to help you find what you might love.

   I would have never read “The Things They Carried” independent of school but “How to tell a true war story” is one of the most important chapters of any book I’ve ever read in my life.

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4. anonymouscallerDec 2023
   I loved reading “The Things They Carried” many years ago in school, definitely a great read.
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5. strangattractorDec 2023
   “The Things They Carried” - agree one of the best books I have ever read.
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6. strangattractorOct 2022
   If anyone is interested in Vietnam "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien is excellent.
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