Review of Chosen
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- Cristina Chifane
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Review of Chosen
Chosen by Charles de Andrade is the first book in the Steward series. The novel tells the story of 21-year-old Glenn Hitch, an American Marine sergeant fighting in the Vietnam War. Initially designed as a piece of historical fiction, the story acquires mystical dimensions due to the references to a much greater war of which mankind is almost unaware. A promoter of the Roman Catholic faith, the author uses the verses in Ephesians 6:12-13 to add an extra layer of meaning to the protagonist’s exploits.
When he goes to Vietnam, Glenn has no idea that his life will change unpredictably. At Colonel William Fellson’s order, his platoon is to reinforce the South Vietnamese regiments’ push and capture Chinh Lee, the commander of four battalions of North Vietnamese troops. The ensuing battle takes place near one of the few remaining French orphanages, which houses some of the many children displaced during the war. At the orphanage, Glenn meets the young novice Mylinh, whose beauty and kindness touch his heart forever. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that Mylinh is also Chinh’s sister. Will Glenn and Mylinh survive the horrors of war and have a life together?
Whether you read the paperback or Kindle version or listen to the audiobook, you are in for an exhilarating ride. Suggestively entitled, each chapter closely follows the characters and focuses on a significant moment in the development of the plot. The third-person narrator effortlessly moves back and forth in time to reveal more about the characters’ background stories and explain their decisions and evolution. In this way, we understand Chinh’s thirst for revenge against those responsible for the death of his parents or Colonel Fellson’s drive to return to his wife and daughter.
Charles de Andrade does an excellent job of developing the various narrative threads. He relies more on aspects of war tactics and strategies rather than mere descriptions of some gore scenes. However, the author does not shy away from laying bare the disastrous consequences of war on ordinary people. What I liked most about the novel is the way the writer gradually inserts the supernatural elements to the extent that, in the end, we readily accept the presence of divine beings or miraculous happenings as an intrinsic part of the narration. Even if the characters mainly fall under the good versus evil dichotomy, some still oscillate between light and darkness.
Considering all of the above, Chosen by Charles de Andrade deserves 5 out of 5 stars. There was nothing I particularly disliked about it. I listened to the audio version while reading the text, so I can vouch for the lack of editing errors. I found only eight minor typos and punctuation mistakes. I recommend the book to readers interested in the Vietnam War and those who like metaphysical novels with religious references. Last but not least, the author delivers a strong message about the futility of war and the need to reconsider our actions for a better future for all humanity. The open ending leaves the readers wondering what will happen to the characters in the sequel.
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Chosen
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