My first work of fiction by this author, and it was a pretty good one. Set in the early stages of Vietnam conflict (before America got truly “involved”) the story is told from the viewpoint of a British news correspondent.
There is a lot in here that tells the future, for America and for colonialism in general. The way he writes the main character I could see how locals were treated, and why they would fight against foreigners living in their country. I don’t know much about what kinds of social issues were going on in the UK and the USA at the time this was written, but I suspect some of that background knowledge would make the book even more interesting.
The writing really makes you feel like you are there – Saigon, Hanoi, and the villages in between that were caught in the crossfire.
This book also jumps back and forth through time, which is common enough nowadays but struck me as a little unusual for an older story. It was done very well, and was instrumental in setting up the tense conclusion. I really enjoyed this book.
Next I am reading Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut.
