Items related to Fatal Light
Synopsis
The death-haunted nightmare world of a medic in Vietnam is set against scenes of the tranquil world he so desperately yearns for--small-town America
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
In 1967, a West Virginia 18-year-old is ordered to report for induction later that year, a far cry from the college football scholarship he had hoped for and the promise of luminous places. His father plies him with military memories of sex and music; his mother puts on an unwavering face; and his girlfriend, Mary, tells him she won't wait for him.
Once in country, the soldier goes on rescue missions (which often involve picking up more dead than wounded), smokes pot, tries to cope with the dense air, elephant grass, monkeys' screams--and not focus on the killing. He encloses a photo with a letter to Mary and points out that the bulge in his pocket is a paperback of Emily Dickinson: "Such things live together here, poetry and shotguns." Richard Currey writes in that same mixture of violence and lyricism, because for his soldier Vietnam is a place of cruel extremes. Next to a spot where bodies are piled, "the sun was dropping in an elegant fog of muted roses that I might call lovely if I though my feelings were intact," he later tells his girlfriend.
Discharge brings the difficulty of resuming life. Attempting to describe his experience, he brings up one of the more palatable names for Vietnam--"a world of hurt." Fatal Light is an achingly poetic re-creation of an ugly history.
About the Author
Richard Curry is the author of Fatal Light, a PEN/Hemingway Award finalist, and of The Wars of Heaven. He lives in New Mexico.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherFaber & Faber
- Publication date1989
- ISBN 10 0571141374
- ISBN 13 9780571141371
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages208
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Fatal Light
Stock Image
Fatal Light
Published by
Faber & Faber 01/11/1989, 1989
ISBN 10: 0571141374
ISBN 13: 9780571141371
Used
Softcover
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780571141371
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Fatal Light
Published by
Faber & Faber 01/11/1989, 1989
ISBN 10: 0571141374
ISBN 13: 9780571141371
Used
Softcover
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780571141371
Quantity: 2 available
Seller Image
Fatal Light
Seller: PsychoBabel & Skoob Books, Didcot, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Publishers remainder marks on the page block. Used. Seller Inventory # Am775
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Fatal light
Seller: Cotswold Internet Books, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Used - Very Good. VG paperback. New edition. Slight yellowing to pages; binding tight. Seller Inventory # BOOKS229936I
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Fatal Light
Seller: Simply Read Books, Boat Of Garten, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. 1989 first edition Faber paperback in unread, very good, near as-new condition, just page edges lightly ageing; UK dealer. Seller Inventory # 2W2
Quantity: 1 available