It seems that a significant number of people do not have a favorable opinion of Tim O’Brien’s 1975 debut novel, Northern Lights. However, who really cares? For I, without a doubt, have a profound love for this book.

What makes this novel so captivating is the way it transports its characters and us, the readers, deep into the enchanting Minnesota northwoods. The vivid descriptions and the immersive narrative create an atmosphere that is truly magical.

I, for one, am an easy target for that kind of atmospheric setting. The beauty and tranquility of the northwoods, as depicted in the book, have a certain allure that draws me in and makes me feel as if I am actually there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

Despite the lack of popularity among some, Northern Lights holds a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish the unique reading experience it has provided.

I have always been a great admirer of this author's previous works. His writing style and the stories he weaves have always managed to captivate me and keep me engaged from start to finish. However, this particular book has been a complete disappointment for me.

I had high expectations when I picked up this book, but unfortunately, it failed to live up to them. The plot seemed to be going nowhere, and the characters lacked depth and development. I found myself getting bored and frustrated with the story as I read along.

In fact, I was so uninterested in this book that I actually quit reading it halfway through. This is something that I rarely do, as I usually make it a point to finish every book that I start. But in this case, I just couldn't bring myself to continue.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It is a far cry from the author's previous works and does not do justice to his talent and reputation. I hope that he will go back to the drawing board and come up with something better in the future.

Hard to tell if the old mayor was playing a great fool's game.

He was darting in and out of time as if it didn't matter or exist.

Always confusing the living with the dead and Perry with Harvey and both of them with the old man.

The trail was its own perfect logic.

My O'Brien sets up provocative oppositions between two brothers, Perry and Harvey.

The brothers are a study in contrasts.

Whether the subject is involvement in Vietnam, love for their father, or personal relationships, the brothers are seemingly only connected by a common childhood and genetics.

Harvey, upon returning from his service in Vietnam, wants the pomp and circumstance due a war hero, while Perry cancels any thoughts for a welcoming party.

The opposition causes plenty of friction and spice through the work.

In many ways, the tale is a coming-of-age story for a floundering adult.

Perry's emotional and functioning growth throughout the work is one of the intriguing aspects of the text.

One of the more interesting aspects of the text is that O'Brien tells the story from Perry's perspective.

Rather than embracing the perspective of the veteran, O'Brien breaks from his personal history and focuses upon the guilt of the brother who did not serve.

This unique approach adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making the reader empathize with Perry's inner turmoil and journey of self-discovery.

It also allows for a fresh exploration of the themes of war, family, and identity, as seen through the eyes of someone who was on the periphery of the conflict.

Overall, the story is a captivating and thought-provoking read that delves into the human psyche and the lasting impacts of war on individuals and relationships.

You can read my review at http://tims-reviews.blogspot.com/2017...

My review offers in-depth insights into the book "Northern Lights". It delves into the captivating plot, the well-developed characters, and the unique world-building that author has crafted. I analyze the various themes explored in the story and how they contribute to the overall narrative. Whether you're a fan of fantasy literature or simply looking for a good read, my review can help you decide if "Northern Lights" is the book for you. So, head on over to the provided link and check out my detailed review to discover more about this fascinating book.

I would rate this book three stars because I truly can't make up my mind whether I liked it or not.

At the beginning, it started in a way that made me think I was definitely going to love this book. The story seemed to have a lot of potential and it really grabbed my attention.

However, then it entered a lull stage where the plot seemed to slow down and I found myself getting a bit bored.

Thankfully, in the end, it picked up again and started to get interesting. But unfortunately, I didn't like the ending. It just didn't feel right to me and left me with a bit of a disappointed feeling.

So overall, to me it's a so-so book. It had its good moments and its bad moments, and I'm still not quite sure what to think about it.

I didn't get it.

I read the book from cover to cover with great enthusiasm because I simply hate to put a book down once I start. However, after thoroughly going through it, I still didn't manage to understand Mr. O'Brien's message.

It was truly a strange story. The plot seemed to twist and turn in ways that I couldn't quite follow. There were many hidden meanings and subtleties that eluded my comprehension.

I found myself constantly rereading certain passages, hoping to catch that one crucial detail that would unlock the mystery. But alas, it remained a mystery to me.

Perhaps I need to read it again with a more critical eye or do some research on the author and his works to gain a better understanding. For now, I'll just have to accept that this particular story has left me a bit confused and intrigued.

I'm curious to see if others who have read it have had the same experience or if they were able to decipher the message more easily.

I did not have an enjoyable experience while reading this book. However, I persisted in reading it because the story line appeared to hold promise. Additionally, I have this inner need to complete reading a book once I have begun. But I really struggled with the style and the repetitive nature of the sentences. Moreover, I didn't have any liking for any of the characters in the book. I rated the book at 2 stars. The only reason for this was that I felt compelled to find out what happened at the end. So, in a way, I guess that's a good thing. But unfortunately, the book seemed to just peter out at the end. There was no real climax or satisfying conclusion. It was rather disappointing considering the initial promise of the story line.

I was rather disappointed in this particular work.

It didn't have as profound an impact on me as Tim O'Brien's other novels.

To be fair, the writing style was still as beautiful as ever. I will always have a soft spot for his unique way of expressing thoughts and emotions through words.

However, I found myself not really caring all that much about the story.

Many of the side characters didn't sit well with me. They gave me an unsettling feeling, perhaps intentionally so, but nonetheless, I didn't take pleasure in reading about them.

The only character I truly liked was Grace, and I was intrigued by the relationship between Perry and Harvey.

Unfortunately, the story had a tendency to drag at times. It was often very repetitive, with descriptions of them skiing through the cold woods, being hungry and sick.

As a result, I couldn't easily distinguish one section from another.

I even took a break from reading it for a few days, and it took me some time to figure out where I had left off, which is not usually the case for me.

Despite all this, it's not a bad book at all.

I think, for me personally, the story just didn't have the same appeal as The Things They Carried or Going After Cacciato, both of which are truly wonderful books.

I'm fairly certain that this was O'Brien's first novel, so I'm not going to be too hard on him.

After all, he's a damn good writer, and I'm definitely going to read his other works.

This is not the best book that I have read from O'Brien.

There is very little actual plot action in it. Except during the ski trek, which unfortunately becomes repetitive. Instead, it mainly focuses on "mental" action.

Other parts of the book were quite confusing to me. I struggled to find any of the characters likeable.

I managed to finish the book, but that is really about all I can say about it. It didn't leave a lasting impression on me. The lack of a captivating plot and unappealing characters made it a rather underwhelming read.

I was hoping for more excitement and engaging storylines, but unfortunately, this book failed to deliver on those fronts.

Maybe O'Brien has other works that are better and more enjoyable, but this one just didn't do it for me.

This is O'Brien's first novel, which was written in 1975. It is a brother to brother drama that is set in rural Minnesota.

Paul is the brother who stayed at home, while Harvey is the one who went to war. He returns injured. The story is about how the two brothers come back together. To bond, they embark on a cross-country skiing adventure that turns dangerous.

I can observe a great writer honing his craft. And although I didn't truly appreciate the way he developed some of his characters (particularly the women), it is ultimately a really good read.

The novel has its flaws, but it also has its strengths. The portrayal of the relationship between the two brothers is both touching and realistic. The description of the cross-country skiing adventure is vivid and exciting.

Overall, I would rate this novel 8/10. It is a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys stories about family, brotherhood, and adventure.

A good book,

but it has lots of "stream-of-consciousness" dialog that one has to get through.

However, I am intrigued enough to read "The Things They Carried" though.

This book seems to have a unique charm despite the challenging dialog style.

The concept of "stream-of-consciousness" can be both confusing and captivating.

It allows the reader to experience the thoughts and emotions of the characters in a more immediate and raw way.

Even though it might require some extra effort to understand, the potential rewards are great.

"The Things They Carried" likely offers a deep exploration of the human condition and the experiences of war.

I am eager to embark on this literary journey and discover what lies within its pages.

Perhaps it will provide new insights and perspectives that will enrich my understanding of life and literature.

Overall, I am looking forward to reading this book and seeing how it unfolds.

I really loved "The Things They Carried." It was a captivating and thought-provoking work that left a lasting impression on me.

However, this particular book I'm referring to didn't quite have the same effect. It was an outdoors survival adventure, and unfortunately, that's just not the genre that I'm particularly fond of.

I find that I'm more drawn to stories that explore human relationships, emotions, and the inner workings of the mind. While I can appreciate the skill and effort that goes into writing an adventure novel, it simply doesn't resonate with me on the same level.

Perhaps it's because I'm not an outdoorsy person myself, or maybe it's just a matter of personal taste. Either way, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that this book didn't live up to my expectations.

Nonetheless, I'll continue to explore different genres and authors in the hopes of finding more books that I truly love.