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 Review by
Louella Moreland
America has begun to accept news stories of war as a part of our daily
lives. Most of the time, the conflict is far away and we can insulate
ourselves from its existence. Sometimes it comes close to home, such as that
beautiful September morning when we watched in horror and disbelief as
airplanes ended lives on our own soil. War touches nearly all of us. It
never ceases to cause heartache, pain and lots of confusion.
During the time of the Vietnam War, our young soldiers found an
ungrateful country upon their return. Americans seemed to confuse the
soldiers' duties with that unpopular war, blaming those who served for
decisions that were not their own. Thankfully, that has changed. Most
Americans now salute our soldiers, who risk their lives to protect the
rights of our country (even the rights of the Americans who disagree with
our government and the foreign engagements our soldiers fight in).
However, reality is confusing: how to separate the theories behind war
from the events the soldiers experience on their jobs. In Dana Reinhardt's
novel "The Things a Brother Knows," we are taken as readers on a journey to
understand this impossible contradiction.
Ms. Reinhardt introduces us to a Jewish family as their oldest son, Bo,
returns from combat in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the horrible waiting
and hoping for his return is not eased by his actual appearance. Bo is not
the well-liked high school football star who left. Now he is silent,
withdrawing into his room for days at a time. Through the eyes of his
younger brother, Levi, readers glimpse a little more: Bo's nightmares, his
refusal to ride in a car, his Internet searching for maps.
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When Bo announces he is going to take a trip, hiking the
Appalachian Trail, Levi knows this is far from the truth. After a
few days and with the help of his two best friends, Levi knows he
must follow Bo. He must go in order to figure out how to help, even
if Bo doesn't want him there. Along their journey readers begin to
see the connection that brothers share, whether related by blood or
experience.
"The Things a Brother Knows" is not an action adventure. The
novel is not a war story. It is also, at times, not easy to read.
Emotions are dredged to the surface of our own consciousness, making
us ask difficult questions of our own beliefs.
So what is it? It is a discovery. It reminds us about the part of
war that is often forgotten: the people who are fighting it on both
sides. Most important, it is about the love of a family and the
friends who support a person no matter how much a person may change.
Ms. Reinhardt's characters are full of life, good and bad,
insightful and dense. They are very human. Even secondary characters
are fleshed out enough for us to recognize. Readers will come away
from the story feeling satisfied and hopefully with a better
understanding of themselves as well.
For this novel and others about brothers or family members
returning from war, see us in the Youth Service Department at the
Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St.
[Text copied from file received from
Louella Moreland,
Lincoln Public Library District]
(Ms. Lou's blog:
lincolnpubliclibraryupdates.blogspot.com) |
