Paco's Story and Close Quarters

Paco's Story and Close Quarters by Larry Heinemann

I am going to write about these books together. Why? They are both by the same author and they are both about the Vietnam War, although two very different stories. Larry Heinemann is a Vietnam War Veteran who served with the 25th Division and even though the books are both fiction you have to wonder how much of himself and his experiences did he put in them.

Paco’s Story is unique, it is told by the ghost of soldier who died when Fire Base Harriette was attacked by the Vietcong. Paco Sullivan was the only survivor. He lay in the mud for days before he is rescued. His wounds are infected and covered with maggots. His body burned and shattered. Paco is taken to the states where his healing begins, both physically and mentally. This is his journey.

Close Quarters is the story of Philip Dosier. You follow Philip from his first days with the 25th Division in Vietnam to his returning back home to Chicago and all the brutally in between. If you liked The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien you will like this book. Be warned it is not for the faint of heart.