I realise it's about time I recommended another book. It's not that I haven't read any, it's just than I haven't read any new ones, good enough to receive my recommendation. Also, I've started reviewing book for litteraturnu.dk, which I won't also bring on my blog. But, I can confidently recommend THE NAKED AND THE DEAD by recently deceased, and literary celebrity, Norman Mailer.
The book is about a squad of soldiers, fighting the Japanese for control over an island during the second world war. Mailer himself having fought the Japanese in the war, gives - what I believe - a very accurate description of the men and how the war worked. There's absolutely no romanticism or patriotism about the antagonists feelings towards the fighting, it's more a question of getting out alive and not losing your soul in the process. The old men in the squad are all completely broken and desillusioned, and have absolutely no faith in the US Army or their superiors. The rookies are regarded as little more than a nuisance, and no one wants to get close to them, because they're usually the first to die. There's no heroics in the short confusing fire fights, everyone is afraid and some are cowards.
The main event is a patrol the squad is sent on, the reasons for which, might be for personal glory rather than military significance, and which mainly consist of long devastating marches rather than combat. It's all very dark, but also excellently written and told. It is a bit long however (700 pages), and sometimes the pacing is of. But if this theme is of any interest, I highly recommend it.
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