Vietnam flashbacks are real. They are not just a figment of one's imagination or a fictional concept.

These flashbacks can be extremely difficult to read about or experience. They bring back vivid memories of the horrors and traumas that occurred during the Vietnam War.

The sights, sounds, and emotions associated with that conflict can resurface with great intensity, often overwhelming those who have endured them.

For veterans of the war, these flashbacks can be a constant reminder of the sacrifices they made and the hardships they faced.

They can also have a profound impact on their mental and emotional well-being, causing feelings of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Understanding and acknowledging the reality of Vietnam flashbacks is an important step in providing support and treatment to those who have been affected by them.

It is essential that we listen to their stories, offer them compassion and understanding, and do everything we can to help them heal.

A truly remarkable drama indeed! It delves deep into the profound themes of trauma and war, offering thought-provoking and insightful perspectives.

While it may not be a mystery that leaves one completely satisfied in the traditional sense, attempting to explain why would inevitably involve revealing spoilers.

And that, of course, would be extremely rude.

This drama has managed to captivate its audience with its exploration of these complex and often overlooked aspects of human experience.

It forces us to confront the harsh realities of war and the lasting impact it has on those who endure it.

The characters are well-developed, and their stories are told with authenticity and sensitivity.

Overall, it is a must-see for anyone interested in thought-provoking and engaging drama.

In The Lake Of The Woods is an outstanding book that combines elements of a murder mystery, a Vietnam war novel, and an exploration of a marriage under pressure. It is written by the talented Tim O'Brien, who rightfully holds a high position in the literary world.

The story follows John and Kathy Wade, a politician and his wife. After John suffers a devastating defeat in a senatorial election due to past ghosts resurfacing in the media, they retreat to a remote cabin by a lake to reassess their future. However, Kathy mysteriously disappears, and John becomes the prime suspect. The authorities and locals get involved, and the search parties are separated by harrowing flashbacks of John's childhood, his time in Vietnam, and his relationship with Kathy.

The book is a great read with a fast pace that delves into the deep and dark holes that can open in the human heart. The only drawback is the lack of closure at the end. While this is a central theme of the book, it would have been nice to have some loose ends tied up. Instead, we are left with multiple possibilities and theories, none of which seem more likely than the others. This can be a bit of a letdown when you reach the last page and still want to know exactly what happened.

Overall, In The Lake Of The Woods is a recommended read for those who enjoy a complex and thought-provoking story.

In September, after the primary, they rented an old yellow cottage in the timber at the edge of Lake of the Woods. This is how Tim O’Brien's 1994 novel of suspense, In The Lake of the Woods, begins.

When I taught freshman English, there was a surefire way to distinguish the students who liked to consider possibilities from those who demanded definite answers. There were those who courted imagination and those who pursued fact. It all hinged on their reaction to Frank Stockton's old short story, The Lady or the Tiger?

You surely remember the story. A king, fixated on order and power, has a beautiful princess daughter. He also has a unique method of justice. People in his kingdom accused of a crime are placed in a great arena and forced to choose between two doors. Behind one door crouches a fearsome tiger, ready to tear the accused to bloody pieces; behind the other awaits a blushing and trembling lady, one most suitable for the age and station of the accused. The accused holds his fate in his own hands and is immediately either punished or rewarded, and the masses watching are entertained either way.

So, one day, a lowborn lad has the misfortune to fall in love with the daughter of the powerful king, and in accordance with the law, is thrown into the arena.

A little background. The princess loves her young man with a semi-barbaric passion. Stockton tells the reader how the princess discovers the secret of the doors, which one hides the ravenous tiger and which the lovely lady. Gold changes hands, and she learns that the lady is someone she knows well, and she is not happy. The princess has to make a tough decision. Should she send her lover to certain death or into the arms of another woman? Sleep is lost, tears are shed, but the inevitable day arrives, and the princess decides.

The crowds wait in the arena. The king and the princess have prime seats. The lover is in the middle of it all. He glances up and instantly knows that she knows. She knows that he knows that she knows. The tension builds. Her hand twitches a little, and the lover walks confidently to a door and opens it.

That's it. Stockton leaves the reader to decide if the lady or the tiger awaits on the other side of the door. After all, that is the title.

The story is wonderful for discussion, but it elicits howls of protest from students who don't anticipate the ending. But it happens; those interested in analyzing the psychology of the semi-barbaric princess begin to think and talk. Slowly, it dawns on them that the story is not so much about the princess as it is about the reader. What would the reader do in that impossible situation? Would love or barbarism prevail?

I suspect that the same people who loathe the ambiguous ending of the classic short story will also be frustrated by Tim O’Brien’s book, but for me, it is as captivating today as it was when it was first published. Today's news is filled with stories of campaigning, of politicians maneuvering to win the confidence of their constituents. We've seen it before, a slip of the tongue, a skeleton in the closet, and the game is over. The masses watch it all on television or read about it over morning coffee, and they wait to see who falls next. The other story unfolding before us is that of our military entanglements overseas, in Iraq and Afghanistan. We hear of soldiers maimed and killed in roadside bombs, of suicide bombers and snipers. Stories emerge of women and children killed, and once again, it is clear that nothing is truly clear. Déjà vu for those old enough to remember Vietnam. What will the future hold for those men and women who return home from the carnage they witness and participate in during wartime?

The reader of O’Brien’s novel is in the same position as my unfortunate freshmen. He or she must decide what happened to Kathy Wade, wife of John Wade, defeated politician, former Vietnam soldier, magician, and fatherless son. Did she run off to start a new life, have a simple boating accident, or was she murdered by her husband? Was she an innocent whose life was violently taken, or did she take her fate into her own hands? Is Wade a murderer? Or is he a survivor who does whatever he must to come to terms with what life has dealt him?

Some people will crave a resolution, but others will enjoy piecing together the whole story as it flips between the present and the past, shifts point of view, and presents bits of evidence and hypothesis. In the end, it will be up to you to decide what really happened in The Lake of the Woods.

4.5. Fantastic.

This simple word, "Fantastic", holds a world of meaning. It can describe something truly amazing, extraordinary, or wonderful. When we encounter something that is fantastic, it has the power to inspire us, bring joy to our hearts, and make us feel a sense of awe.

It could be a beautiful sunset that paints the sky in vivid colors, a breathtaking performance by a talented artist, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves us speechless. The term "Fantastic" can also be used to describe a person who is full of energy, enthusiasm, and creativity.

A fantastic person has the ability to make a positive impact on those around them and bring a sense of excitement and adventure to any situation. In conclusion, the word "Fantastic" is a powerful and evocative term that captures the essence of all that is great and wonderful in our world.

Horrible.

I was extremely disappointed. I purchased this book after seeing O'Brien, who is otherwise one of my favorite authors, give a talk. He claimed that he considered it his best book by far. However, this is just evidence that artists sometimes have no clear understanding of what truly makes their work good.

"In the Lake of the Woods" lacks any sense of movement. Entire scenes are repeated verbatim. I get the impression that the author believes the meaning will change with the new information he introduces, but the problem is that he forgets to actually introduce any new information. The "Evidence" chapters are dull and seem lazy, while the "Hypothesis" chapters are almost unbearable. It's not really a mystery novel because you essentially know what happened within the first 30 pages. Yet, he tries to leave it open-ended, perhaps because he has no idea what he's doing.

There are some good elements, though. There are astonishingly good passages about the Vietnam War and some breathtaking bits of dialogue. But I gave this book only one star to emphasize how crucial it is for your happiness that you do not read this book. Instead, read "The Things They Carried".

I had a rather complex love-hate relationship with this book.

On one hand, it was truly depraved, to the extent that it made me seriously question the mental health of the author. The content was so dark and disturbing that it left me with a sense of unease.

However, on the other hand, the writing and the suspense it created were truly excellent. The author had a remarkable ability to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly guessing and wondering what would happen next.

Moreover, the way the author left the reader at the end was quite interesting. There were no neat wrap-ups or happy endings, just like in real life. This added a layer of authenticity to the story and made it all the more thought-provoking.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book had its own unique charm and managed to leave a lasting impression on me.

First, I have no idea how I hadn't heard of this book before a few months ago. It seems almost不可思议 that such a remarkable piece of literature could have escaped my attention for so long.

Second, I feel like I stumbled upon the key to a code. I suspect many authors writing today have read this. Even if they have not, they have been influenced by the structure of this novel, the pacing, the subject matter, the blurriness between right & wrong, & between wanting the truth & wanting to forgive. Reading this was like reading Lord of the Flies: once you do that, you see the bones of it in every story that comes after it. (So again, see the first point.) It's as if this book is a blueprint for modern literature, a foundation upon which countless other works have been built.

Third, it's quite serendipitous that I read this immediately after finishing An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States. Some of the same sources are cited there as were cited by our unknown narrator here. I was primed for this book in a way I couldn't have predicted or planned. Reading about how our culture of war devastated the Indians was tough; following that by reading how it also devastates our own people is mind-boggling. It's a powerful reminder of the far-reaching consequences of war and violence, not just on those we perceive as the enemy, but on ourselves as well.

Finally, this book is so cleverly layered that I can't really do it justice with a review. My head is still spinning from it all. But let me say this: you know what happened to Kathy. You don't want to believe it, because it's too hard to believe it. It's too hard to believe because you already believe he loves her, & there's plenty of evidence for that. Perhaps there isn't enough evidence to convict him, but you still know it's true. Because it's too hard to believe people could commit an atrocity like the My Lai massacre... But you know that they did. So you know what happened to Kathy. To indulge in any other fantasy that denies that truth, no matter how tempting O'Brien makes it sound, is ultimately to deny the truths of our country's violent past. That's something that happens every day, by good honest citizens. Yet I think O'Brien is asking us to wake up. Like John calls out to Kathy as he treks north, alone & despondent, O'Brien is calling out to his readers. Listen up.

So very well done, Mr. O'Brien. Every page was a pleasure. I hope they're teaching this in school everywhere - it is stunning on every level. It's a book that will make you think, make you feel, and make you question everything you thought you knew about war, love, and truth.

I think the book is, to be honest, truly great.

The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

However, I just have to rate it lower because the ending is so dissatisfying.

It feels rushed and incomplete, as if the author ran out of time or ideas and just threw something together at the last minute.

After investing so much time and emotion into the story, it's really disappointing to be left with such a lackluster conclusion.

I was hoping for a more fulfilling and satisfying ending that would tie up all the loose ends and leave me with a sense of closure.

Instead, I was left with a feeling of frustration and disappointment.

Despite the great aspects of the book, the ending really detracts from the overall experience and leaves me with a less than favorable impression.

I really don't know the reason why I compelled myself to get through this.

The author seemingly has the ability to put together nice sentences, yet everything about this piece was simply unbearable, repetitive, and extremely pointless.

An edgy 11-year-old could have effortlessly composed something far more profound. Seriously, that "Kill Jesus!1!" gimmick made me want to gouge out my eyes so badly. It's like I'm soooo spooked and scandalized right now. *snorts*

This kind of writing fails to engage or offer any real value. It just seems like a random collection of words and ideas that don't really go anywhere.

I'm left wondering what the author was trying to achieve with this. Was it just for shock value or did they actually think this was good writing?

Either way, it's a disappointment and I won't be wasting my time on anything like this again.

***Spoilers***

I was initially intrigued by the mystery in the first third of the book. However, when the narrator informed the reader that we would never know what truly happened, I grew impatient and apathetic towards the plot. I didn't care much for most of the characters, perhaps with the exception of Claude and Ruth. I continued reading mainly because Sue had a high opinion of the book.

The last third of the novel truly redeemed any misgivings I had. O'Brien delved into a vast historical scope and psychology in this novel. It's not just about Vietnam; it's about any war. It's not just about Wade running for office but also about what it means to be a politician under constant scrutiny. The magician theme that runs throughout the novel is highly effective. However, O'Brien keeps the magician's secret and doesn't provide a true ending or resolution.

A few years ago, this would have driven me crazy, but now I respect the literary device he uses by not giving us a tidy ending. It aligns with his theme of never truly knowing people, history, or the secrets within the human heart. (To interject a bit of pop culture here, it's not unlike what David Chase did with the ending of the TV show The Sopranos.) The reader must pick the best hypothesis. The other characters in the book also have their own theories about what happened. Ruth wants the couple to have run off together and start anew, living happily like she and Claude do. I suppose that's why I like their characters so much. They are content with each other and still have faith in others.

However, I don't think that's the hypothesis I'll subscribe to. I believe Wade is capable of harming Kathy. I think he's capable of anything, like Vinny Pearson. But I'm going to hold out a bit more hope for humanity than that. Wade is mentally ill. He was before he went to Vietnam, and he's not innocent of what happened there. I'm not without sympathy for what happened to the soldiers in the village of Thuan Yen (although there's absolutely no excuse for their behavior, and O'Brien does a good job of highlighting that they're not the first, nor unfortunately the last, to violently kill civilians in a war). But once he decided to remain silent and alter his records, in my mind, he transitioned from a "bystander" of the massacre to a "manipulator." He was creepy. Kathleen, on the other hand, was stupidly impotent. If there's one criticism of the novel, it's that I don't think O'Brien gave me a good enough understanding of why she would stay with him. I can't buy the lost in love angle. And that's why I don't really care for her character.

This, of course, means that I don't think she left him that day on the lake. I don't think she had it in her. I think she got lost, and Wade either committed suicide or went away to relive his nightmares alone somewhere in Canada. I think Wade lied so much that he doesn't even know what happened. He knows he was capable of harming her, and because he's become so adept at forgetting trauma, he knows he could have made her murder "disappear" from his memory as well. But I don't think he actually hurt her. Sue is right about O'Brien's use of time and narrative devices, which are fresh and effective. The structure works very well to tell this story. I'm glad I didn't stop reading the book because this is one that I'll be pondering for a long time.

Reading this after Kristin Hannah's "The Women" is truly jarring. The contrast is stark. On one hand, we have the soldiers lining up to commit heinous acts such as murdering babies and raping women. It is a scene of horror and inhumanity. And then, on the other hand, we have that white lady victimizing herself and asking why college protestors "hate the veterans". It's almost comical in its absurdity. Like gee, I really do wonder why. How can she not see the connection between the actions of the soldiers and the protests? The veterans who have committed such atrocities are not the same as the honorable ones. The college protestors are likely reacting to the unjust and immoral behavior that has been associated with some aspects of the military. It's a complex issue, but the lady's self-victimization and lack of understanding only add to the frustration.