Review by AnonReviewer2211 -- A Police Action
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AnonReviewer2211
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Review by AnonReviewer2211 -- A Police Action
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Police Action" by A. A. Freda.]
A Police Action by A. A. Freda is a historical novel, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, that revolves around the lives of an enlisted soldier, James Coppi and his new girlfriend, Samantha Powers.
We are introduced to James when he’s drafted at the company headquarters in Colorado, his last stop before he is headed to Vietnam in six months. He meets Samantha in a chance encounter and ends up spending the entire weekend with her, sponsoring her abortion, and even opening a joint account with her. As James’ scheduled drafting at Vietnam gets closer, their relationship flourishes, and at the same time, his doubts in his ability to keep Samantha happy appear.
The uncertainty about whether James would return alive from the war and whether on returning, would continue his relationship with Samantha, acts as the buoyant force that keeps this story afloat. Freda has done commendable work in maintaining the required suspense in every chapter.
The character development in the story is noteworthy too. Every incident in the story unveils the inner drives of James and Sam, enabling the readers to connect with them on a deeper level. For instance, we learn that Sam, despite initially appearing a little too unassertive, is an elegant woman with an innate desire to be independent. James’s character evolves from an apparent prodigy to someone who has low self-worth and is still trying to find his true calling.
The description of the war and the involved soldiers is impactful. Instead of glorifying the victories and defeats, it drives home the fact that the lives of soldiers are miserable during and even after the futile war.
The grammar and formatting are impeccable. However, Freda could have done without giving an account of every time James and Sam had sexual intercourse. Moreover, the intense use of profanity could also drive some conservative readers away. Regardless, this is the best book I have reviewed to date, and it was a poignant experience getting to know so much about the Vietnam War, which happened decades before I was born.
The thing that I liked the best about this book is that it immaculately instigates the fact that wars have no winners. Everyone loses and the side with the least number of economic losses is, quite incorrectly, declared the winner. The only possible way the world can thrive is through peace and cooperation.
The thing that I dislike the most about it is the far-fetched way in which James and Samantha’s relationship develops, what with them opening a joint account, and moving in together in so short a duration. However, it can be passed off as the freedom in fiction that allows authors to imagine the extraordinary and flag it as fictitious.
I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars. I gave it 4 stars because there was never a dull moment in it, and I found myself unable to put it down at all. It stands out as a serious work of fiction with a well-structured plot, convincing characters, and delightful grammar. I did not give it 3 stars because I firmly believe that avid readers of fiction would enjoy devouring gripping descriptions of a well-told love story, and a war that defined the second half of the twentieth century.
If any reader can dodge the moderate use of profanity and eroticism in the text, there is a lot that can be taken from it in terms of meaning, enjoyment, thrill, contentment, and mental stimulation.
******
A Police Action
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
A Police Action by A. A. Freda is a historical novel, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, that revolves around the lives of an enlisted soldier, James Coppi and his new girlfriend, Samantha Powers.
We are introduced to James when he’s drafted at the company headquarters in Colorado, his last stop before he is headed to Vietnam in six months. He meets Samantha in a chance encounter and ends up spending the entire weekend with her, sponsoring her abortion, and even opening a joint account with her. As James’ scheduled drafting at Vietnam gets closer, their relationship flourishes, and at the same time, his doubts in his ability to keep Samantha happy appear.
The uncertainty about whether James would return alive from the war and whether on returning, would continue his relationship with Samantha, acts as the buoyant force that keeps this story afloat. Freda has done commendable work in maintaining the required suspense in every chapter.
The character development in the story is noteworthy too. Every incident in the story unveils the inner drives of James and Sam, enabling the readers to connect with them on a deeper level. For instance, we learn that Sam, despite initially appearing a little too unassertive, is an elegant woman with an innate desire to be independent. James’s character evolves from an apparent prodigy to someone who has low self-worth and is still trying to find his true calling.
The description of the war and the involved soldiers is impactful. Instead of glorifying the victories and defeats, it drives home the fact that the lives of soldiers are miserable during and even after the futile war.
The grammar and formatting are impeccable. However, Freda could have done without giving an account of every time James and Sam had sexual intercourse. Moreover, the intense use of profanity could also drive some conservative readers away. Regardless, this is the best book I have reviewed to date, and it was a poignant experience getting to know so much about the Vietnam War, which happened decades before I was born.
The thing that I liked the best about this book is that it immaculately instigates the fact that wars have no winners. Everyone loses and the side with the least number of economic losses is, quite incorrectly, declared the winner. The only possible way the world can thrive is through peace and cooperation.
The thing that I dislike the most about it is the far-fetched way in which James and Samantha’s relationship develops, what with them opening a joint account, and moving in together in so short a duration. However, it can be passed off as the freedom in fiction that allows authors to imagine the extraordinary and flag it as fictitious.
I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars. I gave it 4 stars because there was never a dull moment in it, and I found myself unable to put it down at all. It stands out as a serious work of fiction with a well-structured plot, convincing characters, and delightful grammar. I did not give it 3 stars because I firmly believe that avid readers of fiction would enjoy devouring gripping descriptions of a well-told love story, and a war that defined the second half of the twentieth century.
If any reader can dodge the moderate use of profanity and eroticism in the text, there is a lot that can be taken from it in terms of meaning, enjoyment, thrill, contentment, and mental stimulation.
******
A Police Action
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Timewise by Robert Leet
