Book notes | The Things They Carried
UMRA Book Club I met via Zoom on April 15 to discuss The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, published in 1990. Our discussion moderator chose this book because it is listed in 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by bookseller, editor, author, and podcaster James Mustich. O’Brien’s book has received much critical acclaim and is recognized as an outstanding piece of Vietnam War literature. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and was included in Amazon.com’s list of “100 Books to Read in a Lifetime” in 2014.
The Things They Carried is a collection of linked short stories about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War. It is based on the Minnesota-born author’s experiences as a soldier. Many of the characters are semi-autobiographical. O’Brien’s use of real place names and inclusion of himself as a character blurs fiction and non-fiction. As part of this effect, he dedicated the book to the fictional men of Alpha Company, contributing to the novel appearing to be a war memoir.
Exquisite, and painful
UMRA Book Club members described the writing as “beautiful,” “amazing,” exquisite,” and “gorgeous.” Some did not realize the book was fiction, despite the title page stating, “a work of fiction.” A few participants found it too painful to read certain stories that described a lot of violence. A favorite story of several members was “On the Rainy River,” which takes place in Minnesota. O’Brien considers fleeing the draft and is given the opportunity to escape. He goes to war ashamed by his inability to face the consequences of leaving.
The book brought back memories of the Vietnam War era. Members who had been at the University of Minnesota at the time remember protests and the National Guard and tear gas. Several participants knew young men who were killed in Vietnam. Others knew men who returned from Vietnam alive but were damaged in some way.
In summary, there was a lively discussion of The Things They Carried at the meeting and the consensus was that it is an excellent book.
—Diane Madlon-Kay, UMRA Book Club I member
Book Club I to meet April 15
Fri, Apr 15 2022, 2pm
Diane Madlon-Kay will lead the discussion of The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien when the UMRA Book Club I meets on Friday, April 15.
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.