This is one of my all-time favorite books from one of my all-time favorite authors.

I can usually rely on Tim O'Brien to provide a great story that I can savor and contemplate for a while. However, this particular book ranks among my top three.

It's difficult to compare it with "In the Lake of the Woods" and "Going After Cacciato".

I keep this book handy for both winter lulls and summer slumps because I know it will always transport me to a dark, sharp, and beautiful place where I feel both alive and at peace.

The writing is so vivid and engaging that I can easily lose myself in the story.

Tim O'Brien has a unique ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences, and this book is no exception.

It's a must-read for anyone who loves literature and wants to be taken on a journey that will leave a lasting impression.

Whether you're looking for a thought-provoking read or just a great story to escape into, this book has something for everyone.

I highly recommend it.

I discovered this book during my vacation.

Someone had left it behind at the place where I was staying, so I decided to pick it up.

I had never read any works by Tim O'Brien nor had I even heard of him before. However, I truly enjoy his writing style.

This book is somewhat "plotless" - not much seems to happen, and by the end, I still didn't fully understand the characters or their relationships.

But perhaps that's the very essence of it.

It's evident that the brother Harvey's experience in Vietnam has left deep scars and transformed him.

Yet, I believe that even the brother who remained at home is also scarred, not necessarily by Vietnam, but by all the events that can occur in a person's life and within the family history.

I think this book is precisely about that - these experiences are extremely difficult to overcome and have a lasting impact on people.

This book also provides a remarkable portrayal of what it must have been like for a young man returning from Vietnam during those times.

Now, whenever I see these (now elderly) men on the street with "Vietnam Vet" scrawled on a cardboard sign, I feel as if I have a bit more understanding of what they must have endured and perhaps why they are on the street.

I'm willing to bet that O'Brien's other books, which are all centered around the Vietnam war experience, would offer me even more of that valuable insight.

2.5 - 3 stars.

I have perused several other novels penned by O'Brien, and regrettably, this particular one fails to measure up to them. The most compelling aspects were undoubtedly the descriptive paragraphs, which painted vivid pictures in the reader's mind. However, the dialogue, of which there is an abundance, serves to undermine the story.

I am convinced that it is deliberately crafted to showcase the dissatisfaction and ennui plaguing Perry, but it truly tested my own patience. The stream of consciousness technique is, in many instances, a logical literary device, yet the characters seem to be overdone. Once more, presuming they are fabricated to exemplify Perry's own tolerance towards them. And considering that he can scarcely tolerate himself, this made the book one that I very nearly abandoned (DNF), but I persevered through sheer determination.

Also, it is advisable not to embark on a multi-day cross-country ski adventure during January in northern Minnesota, especially if Harvey is your guide.

This was O’Brien’s first novel, and it truly gives the impression of being just that. The plot seems rather aimless, and that wouldn't necessarily be a major issue for me if only the characters had any real depth. They lack substance and fail to go through even the tiniest of growth arcs.

As a result, I was left feeling both bored and disappointed, with only occasional fleeting glimpses of the writer O’Brien would later become in his subsequent novels. Goodreads unfortunately doesn’t offer half stars, but if they did, this book would more accurately be rated as a 2.5 star read.

Furthermore, the book seems to be approximately 100 pages too long. It would have been much more effective had it been presented as a novella or a short story. This excessive length detracts from the overall impact and makes the reading experience somewhat tiresome.

Perhaps with more experience and refinement, O’Brien would have been able to bring more life and purpose to this first attempt at a novel.

The book that I've read in a long while is truly the most tedious and boring one.

From the very beginning, it fails to capture my attention. The plot progresses at a snail's pace, with countless details that seem unnecessary and only serve to drag out the story.

The characters lack depth and are rather one-dimensional, making it difficult for me to form any sort of connection with them.

The writing style is also quite dry and unengaging, as if the author is simply going through the motions without any real passion or creativity.

Overall, this book has been a real disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting and exciting read.

It's a real struggle to get through each page, and I find myself constantly looking forward to the end just so I can be done with it.

Hopefully, my next book will be a vast improvement and will reignite my love for reading.

I have a profound love for Tim O'Brien's writing.

This particular story revolves around two brothers. One of them ventured off to Viet Nam, while the other remained at home.

They made the decision to embark on a lake trip during the winter in the north woods of Minnesota.

It becomes a journey of discovery, not only about each other but also about themselves.

The story is truly gripping, pulling the reader in and keeping them engaged from start to finish.

O'Brien's masterful storytelling allows us to experience the emotions and tensions that arise between the brothers during this trip.

We witness their growth and the changes that occur within them as they face the challenges and beauty of the winter landscape.

It is a tale that explores themes of brotherhood, war, and self-discovery, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

What can be said about "Northern Lights"?

After reading "The Things They Carried", it's clearly not what I had anticipated.

I most definitely favor "The Things They Carried" over this book.

Unless, of course, you have a penchant for reading about Northern Minnesota, cross country skiing, survival, and a PTSD-stricken veteran.

I believe the story might have been marginally more interesting if told from the younger brother's perspective.

Harvey likely would have had far more captivating thoughts than Paul.

Moreover, I didn't appreciate being left in the dark regarding certain matters that never get resolved.

Certainly, this is not my favorite O'Brien novel.

It lacks the depth and emotional impact that "The Things They Carried" had.

The plot seems a bit disjointed at times, and the characters could have been developed more fully.

Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment.

Disappointment!

It is an emotion that can strike us at any time, leaving us feeling let down and dejected. We may have high hopes and expectations for something or someone, only to have them shattered.

Disappointment can come in many forms. It could be the failure to achieve a goal, the unfulfilled promise of a relationship, or the letdown of a long-awaited event. It has the power to make us question our abilities, our choices, and even our worth.

However, it is important to remember that disappointment is a part of life. It is an opportunity for growth and learning. When we experience disappointment, we can reflect on what went wrong and use that knowledge to make better decisions in the future.

Rather than wallowing in disappointment, we should try to pick ourselves up and move forward. We can set new goals, build stronger relationships, and look forward to new opportunities.

In conclusion, disappointment may be painful, but it is also a necessary part of our journey. By facing it head-on and learning from it, we can become stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

Pacing is a genuine issue in this work. In fact, the story doesn't truly commence until nearly 200 pages in. Up to that juncture, there is a considerable amount of character development. However, that's not entirely accurate. There is a plethora of dialogue from the characters, yet it reveals very little as it is highly repetitive.

Later on in the book, I began to have a slightly greater appreciation for what O'Brien was attempting to achieve with this dialogue. The two main characters have never mastered the art of expressing their emotions, and they engage in circular conversations, repeatedly dancing around what they truly desire to say without ever actually saying it. To a certain extent, this approach functions, but it eventually becomes wearisome. All too often, I had the impression that it was O'Brien deliberately withholding information rather than it being a characteristic of the characters.

Undoubtedly, this is the worst of O'Brien's works that I have read thus far. By no means is it terrible, but I can't envision myself ever returning to it as I do with The Things They Carried or In the Lake of the Woods.

An interesting perspective emerges when considering the Vietnam War. Imagine a family where one brother goes off to war, while the other remains at home. This separation creates a unique set of emotions and challenges that both brothers must grapple with. Years later, the effects of this experience still linger. The brother who served in the war may struggle with memories of the battlefield, the loss of comrades, and the psychological trauma that comes with combat. Meanwhile, the brother who stayed home may feel a sense of guilt or inadequacy for not having shared in his sibling's sacrifice. The two brothers must find a way to come to terms with their different experiences and the impact it has had on their relationship. This story highlights the complex and often overlooked human side of war.

Another vacation read that I picked up at a used bookstore was an interesting find.

It had its enjoyable moments, but I couldn't help but notice that it wasn't as well developed as all his other works.

The story had potential, but certain aspects felt a bit rushed or underdeveloped.

However, despite its flaws, it still managed to keep me entertained during my vacation.

I found myself turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next.

Maybe it was because I was in a more relaxed state of mind, or perhaps it was the charm of the story itself.

Either way, it was a decent read that filled some of my spare time.

But if I were to compare it to his other books, I would have to say that it didn't quite measure up.

Nonetheless, I'm still glad I gave it a chance and look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.

So it's just a story of people struggling to get by.

It's a narrative that delves into the lives of ordinary individuals who are constantly striving to make ends meet. The writer's style is engaging, and it allows the reader to easily connect with the characters and their experiences.

I found myself relating to some of the 'muddling along' that is described in the story. It's a common aspect of life that many of us can identify with. We all have those moments when we're just trying to figure things out, one step at a time.

The story serves as a reminder that we're not alone in our struggles. It shows that even in the face of adversity, people can find a way to persevere and keep going.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this story and would recommend it to others who are looking for a relatable and thought-provoking read.