Even though You Know When The Men Are Gone is a work of fiction, it reads like non-fiction. It is a collection of personal stories about what life is really like living on a military base like Fort Hood.
"In a world where it is normal for a thousand men to pack their bags, meet on a parade field, and then disappear for an entire year, the women of deployed soldiers stick together." - Chapter One
Author Siobhan Fallon gets inside the hearts and minds of soldiers at war, soldiers injured and left behind, and soldiers coming home from war. I can't even begin to describe how I felt while reading each of their stories.
The points of view that really touched me, though, were the stories of the spouses and the three lives in these families' dynamic - the life of the soldier at war, the life of the spouse at home, and the life they live when they are together.
I have a few friends whose husbands are serving in the military, and I hear about the ups, the downs, the packing and moving to other bases around the world, the joyful homecomings and the heart wrenching goodbyes. Even still, I could never pry into their personal lives and see what Fallon has shown us in You Know When The Men Are Gone.
I can never, ever, thank military families enough for their shared sacrifice for our country. At least now, after reading Siobhan Fallon's book, I feel like I have an even deeper understanding of what it is these families go through during war time.
Read it...and thank a soldier...AND his/her family.
Book Extras:
Siobhan Fallon website - excerpts, videos, etc.
At Penguin Group - Reading Guides, etc.
About the Book:
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam; 1 edition (January 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399157204
ISBN-13: 978-0399157202
Siobhan Fallon lived at Fort Hood while her husband was deployed to Iraq for two tours of duty. She earned her MFA at the New School in New York City and now lives with her family near the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.
Book Trailer:
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7 comments:
Sigh ... I returned this to the library unread, much to my dismay. Now I'm wishing I'd read it. Back on the TBR list it goes!
It is so nice to see military families recognized as well. Growing up in the military is a very different experience. It seems the families are often forgotten.
I have read a lot of varied things about this book, but I do want to get the chance to read it at some point. I think the stories told here are important, and can help those not in military families understand what it's like to be in one. Great review. I am going to have to try a little harder to pick this one up.
I was a military brat, so I do know about the sacrifices involved in serving your country. I loved this book too!
Completely agree with you re: all Americans reading this book. I never truly appreciate the depth and breadth of sacrifices made by our military and their families until I read this book.
It amazes me the sacrifices made by families with loved ones in the military. I haven't yet read Siobhan Fallon's book but I will one day and I know it will give me a greater understanding of the depth and selflessness of these families and the military persons.
I'm glad Ms. Fallon wrote these stories. I think she did a great service for our country.
Thank you for a great review :o)
Melissa - Go back and get it!
Teresa - I didn't know any military families growing up, but we have several in our town and I see what they go through. It's both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Z - I haven't read any other reviews yet (I try not to when there's a book I KNOW I'm going to read) but I loved it and hope you do too.
Kathy - I had no idea! Thank you to your family for your service!!
Booksnyc - Yes, and Yes!
Amy - I have always appreciated military families, but so many carry their burden so gracefully, it's hard to recognize just how hard it is. This book helped me gain a perspective I did not have before.
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