My rating: 3.75/5
This year marks 50 years since the ending of the controversial Vietnam War. As an 80’s baby, I did not grow up during the Vietnam War era and found myself intrigued by the intricacies of the war. Upon extensive research, Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes was one of the fictional novels that was repeatedly mentioned as suggested reading about the Vietnam War. After finishing the book, I definitely understand why it was recommended.
Matterhorn is a novel that provides a raw, unadulterated view of the Vietnam War from the perspective of several United States Marine servicemen in Bravo Company, including combat soldiers and Company leaders. The novel opens with the main character, Waino Mellas, fresh out of training and acquainting himself to Bravo Company as a new Lieutenant fresh to combat, preparing for his first experience in the ‘bush’. Readers follow Mellas and other soldiers of Bravo Company as they battle the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) in a gruesome and tragic confrontation that illustrates the bravery, camaraderie, and sacrifice that American soldiers made in the war.
Written with superb descriptive narration, Matterhorn unequivocally depicted the horrific experiences in Vietnam combat as soldiers endured severe hunger, sickness, dehydration, mental degradation, and physical deterioration. The novel included exceptional character development that made the story more memorable. My favorite characters were Mellas and Cortell. There was a diverse cast of characters in the story, which allowed the author to confront the racial disparities within the American military during that time. Racial prejudice towards African American soldiers was portrayed in the storyline rather candidly. Along with the racial aspects of the war, there were also inner political discords that impacted the safety and lives of the soldiers. Matterhorn depicted the dangerously selfish and callous American military leaders fueled by greed and power, who made poor decisions that significantly afflicted the soldiers.
One aspect of the story that I disliked was the way in which it ended. I felt it recklessly portrayed Black American soldiers negatively and was quite unnecessary to the storyline. Overall, Matterhorn is a riveting novel. I’m pleased to have read this story, and I learned a great deal about the Vietnam War from the viewpoint of combat soldiers and military leaders. I recommend this book to those who are interested in or enjoy authentic war novels.
#Fiction #HistoricalFiction #MilitaryFiction
