This was such a great and interesting read and I was completely hooked and raced through this in only 2 sittings ....I just couldn't stop!

Thank you to the publishers for an early copy of PEACE IS A SHY THING, a literary biography of the American writer Tim O’Brien, which releases May 27th.

PEACE IS A SHY THING is a solid and interesting read that sheds light on Tim O’Brien’s life, inspirations, and literary process. I especially appreciated the in-depth look at O’Brien’s time in Việt Nam.

The war scenes can be intense and challenging to read, but they are invaluable in illuminating O’Brien’s experience, disillusionment, and the influences in his fiction. I’m still chewing over O’Brien’s thoughts on complicity and morality, they are just as vitally relevant to today as they were in the 1960s…

O’Brien’s entire life story and literary career is covered with sensitivity and detail, but I felt the author missed many chances to push deeper. As the epilogue attests, the author is a personal friend of O’Brien and I think this friendship colors the whole book, for better or worse. I would’ve appreciated a biography that interrogated O’Brien more fully.

PEACE IS A SHY THING was definitely an interesting and at times revealing read, but I’m still waiting for a definitive biography that doesn’t pull its punches.

Trigger warnings: depictions of violence including shooting and bombing, sometimes against non-combatants, mentions of rape, child death, alcoholism, drug use, suicide and suicidal ideation, depression, racial and misogynistic slurs, and cancer.

This book is full of historical insights, recollections, and historical context. This is a wonderful book that has an abundance of information about Tim O'Brien's writings and how they came to be.

If you are looking for an in-depth story of Tim O'Brien, this is the book for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!

Peace is a Shy Thing is a biography of writer, Tim O'Brien. Although a well-known and very respected writer, of the Vietnam War era, I had never read any of his works. This biography is very thorough, although sometimes dry in places. It definitely has made me want to read some of O'Brien's work, and I think current readers of his will really enjoy it. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

“Peace Is a Shy Thing: The Life and Art of Tim O'Brien,” by Alex Vernon (ASIN: B0DCHKZ1BJ), Publication date 27 May 2025, earns three stars.

Clearly this work represents a prodigious effort, filled with historical details, reminiscences, and contextual detail. However, the author was not of Ernest Hemingway’s or Stephen Crane’s level, as was hopefully advertised. Before reading it, and based on that advertising alone, I had great hopes for the biography, but I was ultimately dissatisfied with the telling. On one hand, I laud the research effort needed and admire the persistence necessary to craft the narrative. Like most lives examined, O’Brien’s life complicated, but also quite interesting. However, the story seemed to be presented more as a stream of consciousness, which I do not find appealing either conversationally or in writing. That affected the chronology and narrative flow of the story of O’Brien’s life and broader work. The good news is this book stimulated me to read Tim O’Brien’s own words…and I do look forward to that.

Sincere thanks to the author and St. Martin's Press for granting the reader the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy (ARC), and thanks to NetGalley for helping to make that possible.

Anything by or about Tim O’Brien and I am on board. His books….his stories…I tread them and taught them. The Things…stayed with me for years…and my students. This is an informative, well written story of a dynamic author. Thanks Netgalley…

If you are looking for a very in depth biography of Tim O’Brien then this is your book. Such an insightful book with a ton of insights into his writings and such. Overall the book read almost like an academic biography, not a bad thing at all. Very well written and would definitely recommend!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finally ! A worthy biography of one of the most impactful writers of the late twentieth century. The text is particularly concerned with the impact of the Vietnam War on O'Brien's life and writing. While this is a great companion piece to "The Things They Carried" or "Going After Caciatto" I would have liked a bit more discussion of other lesser known writing. Still a fascinating look at a sensitive chronicler of one of America's greatest tragedies.