Review of Memoir of a Deserter
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Goodness Richman
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Review of Memoir of a Deserter
[Following is a volunteer review of "Memoir of a Deserter" by Thomas Foster.]
Memoir of a Deserter by Thomas Foster opens in the background of post-9/11 America. The narrative begins with Thomas Foster, who is lost in emotional heartbreak and financial instability as his girlfriend Simone is cheating on him and he has failed in other areas, including work as well as his faith, so he decides to join the military. Despite being assured by the recruiter that he would be a hospital-based medic, "like a nurse," he gets something totally different from what he was told. He received front-line medic training and airborne military training and then got a fast track to deployment. Lack of sleep, water-chugging routines, yelling, silence, and obedience are all parts of basic training that are hard on his mind.
On deployment, Foster is looking right at the contradictions by the time he gets to Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, who is known to be the cause of the war, is in Pakistan, but the U.S. troops were still sent to Afghanistan, confusing, isn't it? He also talks about being part of missions that feel directionless, where villagers are detained, children are locked in wooden crates, and heroin trafficking quietly persists under American noses. In Iraq, things get worse—he can't go see his dying grandfather because he's "not next of kin," the Green to Gold officer program he was promised as an incentive for reenlistment is suddenly revoked, and the combat itself becomes surreal. Friendly fire, convoy trauma, sh*t-burning duty, and emotional fatigue pile up. He finally reaches a breaking point and deserts by refusing to board his return flight to Baghdad after a leave. Instead, he flies to Puerto Rico and hides in plain sight on the island of Vieques. There, another interesting phase of life begins.
I like many aspects of this book. One is its raw, journal-like honesty. Foster's writing is more of a confession than a performance. Everything he mentioned is because it happened, not because he achieved something through it, not like he even did. His expression of his vulnerability, admitting to emotional weakness, shame, desire, and failure, makes him someone you feel for, not just someone you read about. From his complicated relationship with Simone to his later marriage to Katelyn, which eventually collapses under PTSD and domestic tension, nothing is sugarcoated. Also, his writing is rich in texture, making it very imbibing. You can feel the sweat during his forced runs along the Seawall, the confusion as he’s told to burn fecal matter in Afghanistan, as well as the heartbreak of mailing a pardon letter to Obama and receiving nothing.
In addition, the imagery is another strong aspect that I like: a soldier screaming as he realizes he’s shot at his unit and the absurd beauty of surfing during a hurricane. Also, to add, the diction swings nicely and in a timely manner between poetic and coarse, and, of course, poetic diction stirs me a lot. The narrative features contemporary relevant themes like betrayal, moral conflict, masculinity, disillusionment, and personal sovereignty. The chronological detailing of his personal life while capturing the background of the time gave the overall feel, making the narrative wholesome and worth the reading time. There is just no aspect of this book that I dislike. I didn't notice any errors while reading this book, which shows it was exceptionally well-edited.
For all these reasons I mentioned above, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is messy, uncomfortable, and painfully honest, but that is exactly what makes it brilliant. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy reading honest military memoirs.
******
Memoir of a Deserter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Memoir of a Deserter by Thomas Foster opens in the background of post-9/11 America. The narrative begins with Thomas Foster, who is lost in emotional heartbreak and financial instability as his girlfriend Simone is cheating on him and he has failed in other areas, including work as well as his faith, so he decides to join the military. Despite being assured by the recruiter that he would be a hospital-based medic, "like a nurse," he gets something totally different from what he was told. He received front-line medic training and airborne military training and then got a fast track to deployment. Lack of sleep, water-chugging routines, yelling, silence, and obedience are all parts of basic training that are hard on his mind.
On deployment, Foster is looking right at the contradictions by the time he gets to Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, who is known to be the cause of the war, is in Pakistan, but the U.S. troops were still sent to Afghanistan, confusing, isn't it? He also talks about being part of missions that feel directionless, where villagers are detained, children are locked in wooden crates, and heroin trafficking quietly persists under American noses. In Iraq, things get worse—he can't go see his dying grandfather because he's "not next of kin," the Green to Gold officer program he was promised as an incentive for reenlistment is suddenly revoked, and the combat itself becomes surreal. Friendly fire, convoy trauma, sh*t-burning duty, and emotional fatigue pile up. He finally reaches a breaking point and deserts by refusing to board his return flight to Baghdad after a leave. Instead, he flies to Puerto Rico and hides in plain sight on the island of Vieques. There, another interesting phase of life begins.
I like many aspects of this book. One is its raw, journal-like honesty. Foster's writing is more of a confession than a performance. Everything he mentioned is because it happened, not because he achieved something through it, not like he even did. His expression of his vulnerability, admitting to emotional weakness, shame, desire, and failure, makes him someone you feel for, not just someone you read about. From his complicated relationship with Simone to his later marriage to Katelyn, which eventually collapses under PTSD and domestic tension, nothing is sugarcoated. Also, his writing is rich in texture, making it very imbibing. You can feel the sweat during his forced runs along the Seawall, the confusion as he’s told to burn fecal matter in Afghanistan, as well as the heartbreak of mailing a pardon letter to Obama and receiving nothing.
In addition, the imagery is another strong aspect that I like: a soldier screaming as he realizes he’s shot at his unit and the absurd beauty of surfing during a hurricane. Also, to add, the diction swings nicely and in a timely manner between poetic and coarse, and, of course, poetic diction stirs me a lot. The narrative features contemporary relevant themes like betrayal, moral conflict, masculinity, disillusionment, and personal sovereignty. The chronological detailing of his personal life while capturing the background of the time gave the overall feel, making the narrative wholesome and worth the reading time. There is just no aspect of this book that I dislike. I didn't notice any errors while reading this book, which shows it was exceptionally well-edited.
For all these reasons I mentioned above, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is messy, uncomfortable, and painfully honest, but that is exactly what makes it brilliant. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy reading honest military memoirs.
******
Memoir of a Deserter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Queen's, Weird. by MK Baker
