The Barrack's Thief by tobias wolff

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

"Διαμαντάκι" is a beautiful Greek word that means "diamond" or "little diamond."

Diamonds are precious gemstones that have been highly valued throughout history for their beauty, rarity, and durability.

They are formed deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure over millions of years.

The process of mining diamonds can be complex and challenging, as they are often found in remote and difficult-to-reach locations.

Once mined, diamonds are carefully cut and polished to enhance their sparkle and brilliance.

They are then used in a variety of ways, such as in jewelry, industrial applications, and scientific research.

Whether worn as a symbol of love and commitment or used for its unique properties, the diamond remains one of the most fascinating and sought-after gemstones in the world.

The word "Διαμαντάκι" not only represents this precious stone but also evokes a sense of elegance, luxury, and timeless beauty.

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Christoooo

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I am truly surprised that this has a rating below 4 stars (at the time of writing this review). Without delving into the other reviews, my hunch is that it might be due to the fact that one of the main characters behaves recklessly, immorally, and impulsively. However, if you were to truly step into their shoes, imagining a state of loneliness, being directionless, and unhappy, then perhaps the only option you could even cling to would be the most reckless, immoral, and impulsive one.

The whole concept of war stories has been overused in numerous short stories and novellas/novels in recent decades. But Wolff truly offers us something fresh. It's not a story about the war itself, but rather about the men before it. Wolff understands this. Because it's not the brutality and violence that make these "war" stories timeless. It's the complex and inexplicable emotions that soldiers experience without end, in a strange place among strange faces: together, yet ultimately alone.

I approached this story anticipating yet another war tale, but I emerged with a feeling that was far more tragic and something that any person should be able to identify with... as long as they are willing to admit that they can relate to it. :)

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Shawanga

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

1.5 Stars.

This is a hugely disappointing book from a great writer. It's his 2nd book, and unfortunately, it shows. I really didn't like the writing style of constantly jumping between characters and time periods. One moment you're in the present, then suddenly you're thrust into the past, and then into the future reflecting on the past. It's extremely confusing and makes it difficult to follow the story.

There was definitely potential here, but the poor writing style and the anticlimactic endings to the incidents were really lame. It left me constantly thinking "that's it?" The book ended okay, remarkably. However, this is a short book - more of a novella - and throughout the entire reading, I was confused as to which character was which (even though there were only 2 characters) and at what point in their life the events were taking place. I couldn't wait to finish this short book.

In the beginning, there was an in-depth background of 1 or both characters (I wasn't even sure which) and their family, but then suddenly it's a different point in their life, with a flashforward to a few lines reflecting on Vietnam, and then back to where they were. It just doesn't make sense, and neither does the continuity.

Where was the editor here? This could have been a good book if the 2 characters were clearer, if their friendship was better developed, and if the details like one being the barracks thief were more fleshed out. The part where they were guarding the ammo dump was supposed to be so dramatic, but I didn't see that at all. The hooker story was equally anticlimactic. I expected so much more and was left thinking there just wasn't much drama there. It really could have been better.

I bought this book years ago, and here's how good I think it is - I'm not keeping it to make space on my shelf, and I'll donate it to a Little Free Library. It's not worth reading again, so it's not worth keeping. It's a very disappointing book.

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Xenience

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I really liked the book and the author's writing style. I would love to read Tobias Wolff again. Of course, it goes without saying that my experience from my military days probably had an impact on the score I gave it. Maybe someone who hasn't had that experience might have less of a connection with the book.

What comes next has no direct connection to the book and are mostly thoughts that pop up in my mind after reading it:

People getting close because of an event and certain conditions, perhaps difficult ones that bring them together, and then drifting apart after getting out of those conditions and becoming strangers to each other again. This is a strange thing. Usually, when we are in the middle of something, we think it's forever, but life is not like that. Sometimes we get close for a few hours and think our worlds are connected forever, but the next day we are strangers. Sometimes we get close and then drift apart, and years later we get close again. Sometimes we drift apart but our memories and imprints remain in each other's minds, maybe only in one of our minds. The changes are many, just like the number of stories of people.

This is a strange thing, but it exists and we have to accept it because it's inevitable.

In the middle, there are some people whose connection doesn't break no matter how much time passes and how much they grow apart until they go and meet their end, which is death. In my opinion, they themselves don't know it, but what is established between them is magical.

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serbianmelacholy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

In those days, Kathy still imitated me.

Whenever I came in from the garden, I would always limp, and Kathy would limp too, imitating me. This made me very angry. I constantly pulled at her hair.

Once, I picked up an air gun and aimed it at her, trying to scare her away. But she just kept crying with her mouth wide open and limping around like a duck.

I was really frustrated with her constant imitation. It felt like she was always trying to copy my every move, and it was getting on my nerves. I wanted her to stop, but she just wouldn't listen.

Maybe I was being too hard on her, but I couldn't help it. Her imitation was driving me crazy. I needed some space and time to myself, away from her constant presence and imitation.

Looking back now, I realize that I was probably just being a typical older sibling, but at the time, it felt like a big deal.

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7ways

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Ridiculously great is an expression that truly captures the essence of something extraordinary.

It implies that whatever is being described is not just great in the ordinary sense, but rather to an almost absurd or exaggerated degree.

When we encounter something that is ridiculously great, it often leaves us in awe and wonder.

It could be a work of art that is so breathtakingly beautiful that it seems almost too good to be true.

Or it could be a performance by an athlete or musician that is so outstanding that it defies belief.

Ridiculously great things have the power to inspire us, to make us dream bigger, and to push us to strive for more.

They remind us that there is always more potential within us than we may have previously thought.

So, the next time you come across something that is ridiculously great, take a moment to appreciate it and let it fuel your own pursuit of excellence.

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stained-rose

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The Barracks Thief by Tobias Wolff is a novella that specifically targets two groups: adult males with knowledge of the Vietnam War and recently graduated high school males interested in a military career. Due to its adult content and language, it is not suitable for younger age groups. The author's aim in writing this book is to provide insights into the roughness that can occur within the military and to caution that not everyone can be trusted.

Throughout the book, Wolff skillfully shifts between third and first person perspectives to present the different viewpoints of the main characters. Philip is the central protagonist, while Lewis evolves into the antagonist as the plot unfolds. Philip's father is a minor antagonist for leaving his family early on. Another significant character is Hubbard, who is a friend of both Philip and, at times, Lewis.

The story begins in Philip's hometown near Seattle, Washington, after he graduates from high school. Later, he is driven away by his family and enlists in the army, eventually ending up in a military fort in Georgia.

Some recurring motifs in the book include the military, trust, friends, and family. These motifs are consistently present and contribute to the major theme of the story, which is to be cautious and choose wisely whom to trust. The author is clearly trying to convey a message to young adults that trust is a precious commodity and should not be taken lightly.

We haven't read anything quite like this book before, as the point of view changes between different characters to show their perspectives on a single problem that occurs in the story.

Overall, we would rate this book a 3 out of 5. It is interesting and entertaining, but it falls short of reaching its full potential. The ending is rather sudden, wrapping everything up too quickly in just a few pages. Despite having a lot of promise, the book fails to achieve its potential due to certain events. However, we would still recommend it to those seeking a short, easy, yet exciting read.

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Veldora4561

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have really liked this short novel.

It is well-written, and the change of narrators does not make you get out of the book. On the contrary, it has hard and violent moments, moments full of injustice but that are actually quite reasonable in certain environments.

The turmoil of the three main characters and their attitude towards what happens to them is believable.

I have liked it very much.

This short novel has managed to capture my attention from the very beginning. The different narrators add depth and complexity to the story, allowing us to see the events from multiple perspectives.

The violent and unjust moments serve to highlight the harsh reality of the situation and make the characters' actions and emotions more understandable.

Overall, it is a great read that I would highly recommend to others.

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