Tod Mahony

This book has its merits, I liked a few turns of phrases, but on the whole I would rate it not worth the trip. If you are looking for a subjective fictional account of schizophrenia, this might be the book for you. You might also check out _The Eden Express_ by Mark Vonnegut if you're an avid tourist of mental illness, such as myself.

That said, I will probably check out the author's other works because I'm a glutton for punishment and he's obviously talented.

It's only July but I'm not going out on a limb to say this is the best book I'll read in 2010. This novel made me better appreciate being alive. It also gave me insight into the shit our Marines and other armed forces dealt with in Vietnam, and continue to deal with, unbeknownst to the American population at large. A study in contrasts: life and death, day and night, friends and enemies, good and evil, the iniquities of class and race and the ultimate bankruptcy of all these concepts in the face of the final judgment which is ultimately dealt unto us by ourselves, if we're lucky enough to be conscious at the end. It's a great, rough ride. Thank you, Mr. Marlantes.