Cherries

A Vietnam War Novel

By: John Podlaski

Narrated by: Michael Sutherland

When a soldier leaves for war, those left behind often wonder what their loved ones are experiencing. Letters home are always cheerful and vague - no sense in worrying the family. Then upon returning home, these young soldiers do not want to talk about their experiences. Family and friends allege they are now distant, changed, and not the same person they remember from several months earlier. What causes this?

Although the backdrop for this novel is the Vietnam War, "cherries" exist in every war. They are the young "newbie" soldiers, who are trained for war. However, most are not ready to absorb the harsh physical, mental, and emotional stress of war. Once they come under fire and witness death firsthand, a life-changing transition begins. This eye-opening account offers listeners an in-depth look into the everyday struggles of these young infantry soldiers. You'll feel their fear, awe, drama, and sorrow, witness the bravery and sometimes laugh at their humor.

No two war experiences are the same, but after finishing Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel, readers will have a much better understanding as to why these changes occur and why our military heroes are different upon their return home. Veterans will relate!

©2010 John Podlaski (P)2012 John Podlaski

Critic reviews

• Page One Literary Newsletter Web Site’s Best Audiobook of 2012

I have never had such a horrible audio experience

I enjoyed the story. I was a rehash of a basic novel on Vietnam. There really was no plot or character growth and development. The Characters were cutouts of typical people we see with most Vietnam books. To top it all off the narrator was the most cigar smoking gravelly voice I've ever heard. His 'acting' was not very Acting to me at all.. Expecially of the Captain. Speaking in shakespearean blabber. A decent book ruined by lack of characterization, cliches and a guy who needs to be a cigar salesman....

In the 60,s at 18

True to the era, Went in 7/68 didn’t go to Nam though. Lost many friends for nothing, but to pull out defeated with the same result as Middle East again

Vets of the Nam will understand...

Not real crazy about the musical fanfare starting each chapter l, nor the Oriental music ending them. it took away from the story line and was distracting. Other than that, the story was excellent. It conveyed the deep anguish over the loss or wounding of soldiers by their "brothers" quite accurately.

Are there any "kids" like that today?

What made the experience of listening to Cherries the most enjoyable?

The factual background

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course John, but also each of his friends

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, after I got into it.

Any additional comments?

Thanks for the excellent narration.

Great book

It’s worth the 13 hour listen! I was captivated every single second of it, the narrator also did a very good job of telling the story.

Realistic

Stark description of the soldiers during the Vietnam War. Written by someone who was there. It wasn't till after I finished the novel when I realized the character, John Kowalski, in the novel was the author John Podalski. I enjoyed the performance but felt some of the characters accents were a little over the top. Overall a sometimes disturbing portrayal of jungle combat up close and personal.

11B

Guess you would’ve had to been there that pretty much sums it up from a fellow grunt enjoyed your book

Awesome production value!

Great novel, written by a vet who was there. If you liked Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes, you will love this book.

Opinion

Not a bad story. The end of chapter, and beginning chapter music is a bit much as well as the exaggerated Southern dialect tended to drift into the characters from the Northern parts of the country..

Well done....

Written without a single curse word. A basic journal of a grunts Vietnam story. A good story through departure from the 25th Infantry Division to reassignment with the 101st. At this point the story becomes exceptionally good....a great read. I served with the Royal Thai Army Black Panther Infantry Division at Bearcat, east of Saigon. Seeing the American war for an infantry soldier showed me who was doing the serious work.