by Steven Chevalia

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: July 12, 2009

About:

Title: July, July

Author: Tim O'Brien

Pages: 306

ISBN #: 0-14-200338-7

Synopsis: July, July covers a wide range of characters and the first chapter opens with an explanation about a reunion of the class of 1969 at Darton Hall College. The next chapter discuses one of the students' flashbacks. Every odd chapter is about the college reunion and every even chapter is about another student and his or her relation to all of the others. The stories are intricate and all of them weave together to create a beautiful mosaic of memories. The main topic discussed in the flashbacks is the repercussions of the Vietnam War and how it changed the lives of everyone, not just those going to fight, or flee. July, July looks at the topic of love and how individuals can change over time and how we have to learn to love now. Before it's too late.

Opinion: I've read almost all of Tim O'Brien's novels and once again his novel takes its place among my favorites. The ability O'Brien has with keeping such a large cast of characters and not making it hard to follow is stunning. Each character has is or her own personality and, as the reader, you will become attached to certain ones and repulsed by others. Each of them has his or her own collection of secrets he or she doesn't want anyone else to know about, but we see all the dark secrets.

Like all of Tim O'Brien's other books, this one has simple short sentences, like The Road by Cormac McCarthy. This is great because it pushes the plot along all the faster and you find yourself just flying through the chapters wanting to know more about the characters and why they all act the way they do.

Also, like all of Tim O'Brien's other works, July, July contains many plot lines. Each plot line is interwoven with at least two characters and joins into the major plot line of a group of old friends trying to find out where things went wrong. One of the major plot lines follows Paulette and Ellie, two best friends, and why Paulette was kicked out of the church she was preaching at and why Ellie hasn't been talking about Harmon's, a mutual friend and fellow graduate, death.

I cannot think of one negative comment to make about this novel, or anything to warn readers about. This novel is a great read and, if anything, you'll find yourself wanting to call up Tim O'Brien and find out what happens at the next reunion.

This is a novel I cannot recommend enough. If you have read anything by Tim O'Brien before then you know his ability to show beautiful images. I hope this article has been helpful and that you enjoy reading July, July.

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