Fallen Angels By Walter Dean Myers
Blood ... Terror ... Insanity. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers recalls the Vietnam War through the eyes of Richard Perry, an African-American soldier. The book also contains a lot of other characters, some important, and some not. The biggest ones include: Perry (the main character), Peewee, Johnson, Walowick, Monaco, and many others.
Perry is 17 and on his way to Vietnam, a new place, a new life, a whole new world. He volunteered to serve his country, unlike draftees. Thinking of his home in Harlem, and his family, Perry has second thoughts. He really doesn?t want to fight.
The horridness of the war nearly overwhelms him. Death comes knocking at his door, day after day, night after night. He endures the same food every day, with little sleep and hordes of mosquitoes. Only the support of friends and the safety of his gun beside him comfort him. He knows what he wants - to go home.
Perry is hurt, but unfortunately the wound is not bad enough to send him home. He returns to the same hot, muggy place, and insanity starts to settle around him. The intense fear of friends dying, burning piles of bodies and the unsettling guilt that he is still alive start to take a toll on Perry.
This tale of tragedy, action and heroism cannot possibly be summarized adequately. Myers goes into the minds of soldiers with not just facts and dates, but emotions. Although Myers was never in the Vietnam War, he has a strong connection with it; his brother died there. Fallen Angels is respectfully dedicated to his brother.
?...Monaco smiled, lifted the armed grenade high over his head, and flipped it toward Brunner.
Everyone dove to the floor, screaming....?
This is a passage from the book Fallen Angels. The book is very descriptive and it just is amazing. This would be my favorite passage. You feel like you are there in that moment it happened. You can sense the characters emotions and feeling.
Most of the book takes place in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. The main plot is simple. A bunch of guys come into the war for different reasons. They all become friends, and unlike some books, some of them do die! They talk, play games, and do things you may do. He describes the life of soldiers in the war, and he does an amazing job. All the daily routines, the fears of dieing, and thoughts are described in brilliance. All the information is taken from true stories, information, and war tactics. So, the story is fiction, but very realistic.
The book addresses may themes. Be careful who you chose as your friend is just one of them. Another is, respect others. Each theme is addressed with spectacular realism. It also sets itself apart from traditional books. Main characters die clear out of the blue. They?re not set aside and kept alive. Again, just like real life. Your best friend isn?t always by your side.
Personally I thought that this was the greatest book I?ve ever read. I just wanted more! It drew me in so wonderfully. The realism is unmatched. Some of the language is difficult, so young children would have a hard time with it but other then that this is a truly one of a kind book. I would rate it 8 stars out of 10.
Another book that can even be compared to Fallen Angels would be Air Force One by Max Collins. Air Force One also has a lot of action and drama. It is also described very well just like Fallen Angeles. Although Air Force One is not a war book it is very similar to Fallen Angels. Air Force One is almost like a war because terrorists have hijacked the president?s plane and the white house and the president fights the terrorists. Inside the plane there?s a physical battle between the president and the terrorists. And on the outside there?s a mental battle between the white house and the terrorists.
One suggestion I would have about the book is that the author could add some pictures since this was a real event. It would make the reader feel a lot more. And also help interpert the war better to those that don?t know what it is like. Another suggestion I would have is to start the book during a battle instead of starting when Perry was being transported to Vietnam. This will hook reader more into the book then the original beginning, after the battle the characters and setting could be described, after the reader?s attention was grabbed. Other then that I have no complaints.
If you like war books, or any type of book, this comes highly recommended. Fallen Angels will reach deep into your soul and give you a whole new perspective on the Vietnam War. Take my advice and read it now, you will thank me!
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