Dog Soldiers
352
Novel • Fiction
Vietnam And California • 1970s
1974
Adult
18+ years
In Robert Stone’s novel Dog Soldiers, American journalist John Converse travels to Vietnam during the war, hoping to find material for a book or play but ends up agreeing to smuggle heroin back to the United States. He involves Ray Hicks, an unstable former Marine, and his wife Marge in the plan, leading to paranoia, betrayal, and a dangerous pursuit across Southern California as they are hunted by a corrupt federal agent named Antheil. This novel contains portrayals of drug addiction and violent encounters.
Dark
Gritty
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Challenging
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Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone is lauded for its gripping narrative and intense atmosphere, capturing the chaos of post-Vietnam America with vivid, complex characters. Critics praise its dark, searing prose and moral ambiguity, though some find its bleakness overwhelming. Overall, it's a powerful, thought-provoking read that offers a stark reflection on a turbulent era.
Readers who relish gritty, intense narratives with a cynical edge will enjoy Robert Stone's Dog Soldiers. This novel, akin to The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien and Apocalypse Now in literary form, attracts those fascinated by the moral ambiguities of the Vietnam War era and the psychological complexities of its characters.
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Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1975, showcasing its critical acclaim and significance in American literature.
The novel partly draws upon Stone's own experiences as a correspondent during the Vietnam War, imbuing the narrative with authentic insights and realist depictions.
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A film adaptation of the novel, titled Who'll Stop the Rain, was released in 1978 and starred actors Nick Nolte and Tuesday Weld.
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352
Novel • Fiction
Vietnam And California • 1970s
1974
Adult
18+ years
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