Official Review: the REMF, Hurry Up and Wait by Ray Dyer
Posted: 12 May 2021, 06:14
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "the REMF, Hurry Up and Wait" by Ray Dyer.]
The REMF: Hurry Up and Wait by Ray Dyer with Stephen Dwyer centers on the theme of war. It narrates an up-close and personal encounter of the horrors of the Vietnam War. Death and destruction are inevitable in wars, but what does it entail to experience death so close and so frequently? How do soldiers deal with the trauma of living every day on borrowed time? Does a broken spirit get to heal again? All is fair in love and war, or is it? What of the aftermath? Facing the possibility of dying at any moment and seeing the corruption of the body and soul do have undesirable effects on soldiers. For most, the battle does not always end, even when the war is over.
The REMF: Hurry Up and Wait follows soldiers' lives in the military base in Long Thong, Rocket City. We are immersed in these soldiers' lives, the relationship dynamics with higher-ranking officers, and their quest to survive. Life in Long Thong is unpredictable; one minute, the men are working on their ships, the next, they are diving for cover from mortars and rockets. Going on missions is suicidal, and the waiting is nerve-wracking. Of course, it is not all bad news, as they learn to find solace in their shared bond as comrades in arms. Some, unfortunately, find a way to numb the pain via substance abuse. For some, horrifying death awaits, and for some who are fortunate to leave unmaimed, the ghost of their war experiences is ever-present.
Although this book is about war, it isn't suspenseful, as it is not about trigger-happy commandos making their way through the Southern Vietnam jungle. It is slow-paced and yet powerful. The reader becomes familiar with life in the military base, almost like the soldiers experiencing it. The routine, the appearance of normalcy, the peculiar characters, the bond, and the mishaps are all strong points that drive home the concept of hurrying up and waiting. Readers are, however, not spared the horrors of war; although subtle, an imaginative mind can conjure up the image of death and helplessness, the blatant disregard for human lives, and the questions that these raise. This book offers a first-hand experience that we never hope to have. The author's descriptive style creates vivid imageries that bring the stories to life, and his subtle commentaries are thought-provoking. Although this book is a long read, it is not tiring; an investment into the characters' fate and the imaginative yet straightforward language makes it a book guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on readers.
On the flip side, this book needs thorough editing. There are a lot of errors present, grammatical and otherwise. For example, on page 118, a new first sergeant, J.M. Enrico, replaced First Sergeant Roland Peterson. However, Peterson kept being mentioned in place of Enrico. A case in point is Peterson's (or should I say Enrico's) relationship with Bertha on pages 224, 228, and 246. This phrase on page 344: "After Enrico - of Donut Dolly fame -..." shows a reversal to the correct name. (Bertha was a Donut Dolly). Page 229-230 also mentioned Peterson instead of Enrico, as well as pages 246 and 247. The table of contents also had some words repeated: "After Christmas'', "The Years After," and "Glossary." The author's inclusion of the glossary to explain military terms is commendable. However, some explanations are missing (SOP, FTA), and the constant shuttling between reading and checking the glossary might be interruptive to an enjoyable read. I suggest some terms be explained in the body of work (as was done for some), especially the abbreviations.
I will recommend this book to readers with an interest in war stories. This book is more on the subtle yet thought-provoking view of war. There are many swear and vulgar words, and some scenes might be triggering for some readers. Readers who want to learn more about Vietnam War should try out this book. Although it does not dive deep into the antics of the war, it is an introduction and, by extension, a projection of the general circumstances of war. Finally, I will rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The ending is not altogether hopeless; the stories of war and survival are meant to inspire us to choose peace over war and life over death.
******
the REMF, Hurry Up and Wait
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The REMF: Hurry Up and Wait by Ray Dyer with Stephen Dwyer centers on the theme of war. It narrates an up-close and personal encounter of the horrors of the Vietnam War. Death and destruction are inevitable in wars, but what does it entail to experience death so close and so frequently? How do soldiers deal with the trauma of living every day on borrowed time? Does a broken spirit get to heal again? All is fair in love and war, or is it? What of the aftermath? Facing the possibility of dying at any moment and seeing the corruption of the body and soul do have undesirable effects on soldiers. For most, the battle does not always end, even when the war is over.
The REMF: Hurry Up and Wait follows soldiers' lives in the military base in Long Thong, Rocket City. We are immersed in these soldiers' lives, the relationship dynamics with higher-ranking officers, and their quest to survive. Life in Long Thong is unpredictable; one minute, the men are working on their ships, the next, they are diving for cover from mortars and rockets. Going on missions is suicidal, and the waiting is nerve-wracking. Of course, it is not all bad news, as they learn to find solace in their shared bond as comrades in arms. Some, unfortunately, find a way to numb the pain via substance abuse. For some, horrifying death awaits, and for some who are fortunate to leave unmaimed, the ghost of their war experiences is ever-present.
Although this book is about war, it isn't suspenseful, as it is not about trigger-happy commandos making their way through the Southern Vietnam jungle. It is slow-paced and yet powerful. The reader becomes familiar with life in the military base, almost like the soldiers experiencing it. The routine, the appearance of normalcy, the peculiar characters, the bond, and the mishaps are all strong points that drive home the concept of hurrying up and waiting. Readers are, however, not spared the horrors of war; although subtle, an imaginative mind can conjure up the image of death and helplessness, the blatant disregard for human lives, and the questions that these raise. This book offers a first-hand experience that we never hope to have. The author's descriptive style creates vivid imageries that bring the stories to life, and his subtle commentaries are thought-provoking. Although this book is a long read, it is not tiring; an investment into the characters' fate and the imaginative yet straightforward language makes it a book guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on readers.
On the flip side, this book needs thorough editing. There are a lot of errors present, grammatical and otherwise. For example, on page 118, a new first sergeant, J.M. Enrico, replaced First Sergeant Roland Peterson. However, Peterson kept being mentioned in place of Enrico. A case in point is Peterson's (or should I say Enrico's) relationship with Bertha on pages 224, 228, and 246. This phrase on page 344: "After Enrico - of Donut Dolly fame -..." shows a reversal to the correct name. (Bertha was a Donut Dolly). Page 229-230 also mentioned Peterson instead of Enrico, as well as pages 246 and 247. The table of contents also had some words repeated: "After Christmas'', "The Years After," and "Glossary." The author's inclusion of the glossary to explain military terms is commendable. However, some explanations are missing (SOP, FTA), and the constant shuttling between reading and checking the glossary might be interruptive to an enjoyable read. I suggest some terms be explained in the body of work (as was done for some), especially the abbreviations.
I will recommend this book to readers with an interest in war stories. This book is more on the subtle yet thought-provoking view of war. There are many swear and vulgar words, and some scenes might be triggering for some readers. Readers who want to learn more about Vietnam War should try out this book. Although it does not dive deep into the antics of the war, it is an introduction and, by extension, a projection of the general circumstances of war. Finally, I will rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The ending is not altogether hopeless; the stories of war and survival are meant to inspire us to choose peace over war and life over death.
******
the REMF, Hurry Up and Wait
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon