The Mall Walker

Jack Krause's Private War

By: Desmond Drue

Narrated by: Treg Monty

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Jack Krause is a casualty of war, both in Vietnam and at home. Forty-seven years after his service, Jack has no lack of demons. Born into a dysfunctional family, he creates one of his own as he agonizes over what's gone wrong in his life.

Haunted by the war experience that he never came to terms with, he sees his family and friends implode around him. He then meets an Iraqi vet, Peter Strong, who makes him revisit his past and confront the nightmares that keep him up at night.

©2017 Richard Paul (P)2020 Richard Paul

Powerful Story!

As a 30-year veteran myself, the story captivated me from beginning to end. The characters felt real and the story kept me engaged the entire time. The narrator, Treg Monty, did an amazing job with clear, articulate readings with amazing transitions from one character to another. After 10 mins of listening, the narrator had me intrenched in the book with an amazing read. Well written, well read, and a great story. It made me laugh (a lot) and cry. Highly recommend this audio book! Great job Desmond Drue and Treg Monty. It was very well presented!

The Mall Walker

There is no hero in this story.It is very raw and very real,especially for those of us who grew up with a father who served in any war. Jack is a closed off husband and father.His children hate him.His wife and he don't get along.She does not understand his attachment to his war buddies.He actually grew up with those boys,he stands by them more than family.This is a great story,with a wonderful narrator in Treg Monty. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This story's got everything

Jack is an ageing Vietnam veteran who walks around the mall processing his thoughts.

This is his story. He is 69 and looking back on his life but also looking at his life as it is. Talking about the ups and downs of his family life; how he despised his father; his love/hate relationship with his wife Gurdy; his estrangement from his son Hendrix; his dysfunctional daughter and granddaughter and her abusive partner, and his great granddaughter too. On top of that he has friends that he worries about, specially those that he fought in 'nam' with.

Jack tries to get past his regrets and assess whether he should just accept the way things have turned out and try to value what he's got. This is quite a depressing but realistic story of someone still fighting the Vietnam war. If that's your thing then you will love this. It's finely narrated too, Monty's tone is very dramatic and keeps you hooked all the way through.

food for thought

I found Jack very relatable and I empathized with him. I felt drawn to his character from the start. His kids took advantage of him and ran rough shod over him constantly. I don't think all the blame can be laid on Jack. Everybody had a part to play in working (or not working) on these relationships to be better, and what they wanted them to be. It's too easy to blame Jack, but it was everybody's responsibility. Jack was a convenient fall guy for everybody. Gertie was a major enabler to everyone especially her kids ,and I resented her character. You can't be stagnant in your marriage and expect things to change or grow. This evoked many emotions in me as I listened. I felt a lot of anger for Jack's
position and situation in life. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job.

WOW just WOW

I had no idea what this book was about and I have never listened to this narrator. I loved this book! The story was riveting. I have had many friends over the years who are Vietnam Vets. I have always held them in the highest esteem because of the way they were treated when they returned home. Many have struggled throughout their entire lives. This book brought home the trauma and the heartaches felt by all of those who served our Country during the Vietnam era. Kudos to Desmond Dru for a wonderful story and to Treg Monty for doing a wonderful job telling us this story.

Really boring

I've tried three times to listen to this book. Honestly it felt like listening to an old man reminiscence about his life. But his life isn't really interesting. Several chapters in and I gave up.

If you like slow somewhat an old time feeling then you will enjoy this book.