Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien

Going After Cacciato

by Tim O'Brien

Winner of the National Book Award, `Going After Cacciato' captures the peculiar mixture of horror and hallucination that marked the Vietnam War, this strangest of wars.

In a blend of reality and fantasy, this novel tells the story of a young soldier who one day lays down his rifle and sets off on a quixotic journey from the jungles of Indochina to the streets of Paris.

In its memorable evocation of men both fleeing from and meeting the demands of battle, `Going After Cacciato' stands as much more than just a great war novel. Ultimately it's about the forces of fear and heroism that do battle in the hearts of us all.

Reviewed by Michael @ Knowledge Lost on

3 of 5 stars

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It took me awhile to get use the way the book was written and when I finally did, I realized I didn't care what happened to the characters. There was nothing wrong with the story or the why this novel was written. I think it was more my fault I wasn't enjoying the book.

The book follows the story of a group of men chasing after a man who has gone AWOL (Cacciato) but it has becomes apparent that Cacciato doesn't exist, in fact this is playing out in Berlin's mind. A man, who has gone through a lot of trauma in the war and has found a physiological escape.

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  • Started reading
  • 20 December, 2010: Finished reading
  • 20 December, 2010: Reviewed