The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried is a collection of short war stories centered in Vietnam. Tim O'Brien's writing blurs the line between fiction and reality, making this work often times up to reader interpretation. Many of the stories have portions directed at the reader, making the experience both emotional and personal. I began reading this novel as a school assignment, and finished reading this novel as a hobbyist. I've always been interested in learning about war, but these stories introduced and entire new, first hand perspective that the reader can live out through the words. The emotions, the fears, the experiences of the people in this book truly opened my eyes, and I am sure can and will open yours.