The Lost One

Jackie Smith has an obvious passion for the struggles of soldiers returning from war, and shares that passion through the stories of James and John and their families. The book delves deeply into the emotional state of a war-time soldier, and the long-reaching impact on his life, his family, and his mind. Smith obviously dug deep for the background detail on the Korean War, and elegantly planted socio-political commentaries relevant to the day.

The book lacks, however, in delivering a fully period piece. When the story really begins to unfold in America, post-Korea 1953, there are several cultural discrepancies (i.e,. a McDonald's serving breakfast, multiple private phone lines in a residence or a dorm room, the cost of college, etc.). The characters are occasionally forced into conversations that attempt to deliver some cultural backdrop that were completely out of place (i.e., young war vets discussing hair styles and the names of different skirt fashions), or cultural norms were completely dismissed (college women casually spending the night with their boyfriends, or a rising pastor's willingness to set aside traditional teachings for a pre-marital relationship). But perhaps the biggest stumbling block for the Lost One is the failure to catch several grammar/punctuation/spelling problems (its/it's, assignations/assassinations, dissertation/desertion) which ultimately distract the reader from the otherwise touching story.

Smith is on target with an insightful look at some not-well-known parts of the Korean War, but would bring the book up several notches to focus the same quest for knowledge on period-specific details.

No my usual genre, ;however I started reading it and couldn't stop. Very good story of men, war and the consequences of circumstance we fid ourselves in. The multiple coping mechanisms and lack of coping and understanding. Excellent character interaction and blending of the camaraderie of past and present in the four surviving soldiers and their lives.