Review of Memoir of a Deserter

[Bhakti Natoo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Memoir of a Deserter" by Thomas Foster.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Memoirs have a way of making one incredibly curious, a curiosity that often comes with mixed feelings as memoirs are raw, honest and straightforward, something that is hard to digest in the present day and age.

And Memoir of a Deserter: Afghanistan to Iraq to the Caribbean by Thomas Foster aligns with the above shared statement, considering the very setting of it is the tumultuous region of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent by extension. Thomas presents a deeply personal insight into the intricacies of military service and how it by default spurs on changes in a person's psyche itself.

It is essential to remember and as Thomas aptly portrays, a soldier in any army is not just battling the enemy front and ahead, they're also battling society's handprint on their being, the struggle of being an army man where tears and sadness have no place, where any moment can be the last, so it has to be lived responsibly and joyfully at the same time. A soldier's mind is a chaos of thoughts that he/she has now learned to quiet down so as to quieten down someone else through the barrel of their gun.

Furthermore, this is just the mental aspect, the physical toll of being a soldier is immense, the necessity of staying in top shape while navigating terrain so different from home, eating food that isn't liked and what not.

The memoir's chronological organization, combined with Foster's crisp observation and the occasional wink, holds readers' attention throughout. His investigation of war's long-term psychological effects lends a depth of understanding that will appeal to those interested in more than traditional battlefield reports.

It is a tense and introspective read that investigates the individual cost of war and the journey toward self-discovery. It is particularly suited for those who like military memoirs, tales of personal transformation, and the human aspect of contemporary warfare.

The one thing I disliked was the crass language but I do think that it also added more value to the narration. I'll give it 5 out of 5 stars because our soldiers deserve it all and more. Further on, the editing of the book was well-done and the chapters are properly arranged.

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Memoir of a Deserter
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