You had to be there to fully appreciate it, I said in my review of Patrick deWit’s recent Vietnam-era novel, “Dodge City,” which could as well be said about Laurel Ferejohn’s “Crossings,” which will resonate most strongly with readers who were of a certain age during that stressful time.
Certainly it will likely make them more empathetic toward one of the novel’s two protagonists, Valetta, who at 18 is married to a hardcore Marine, Dixon, who, like the others in his unit, is in a holding pattern in Hawaii awaiting certain deployment to Vietnam – a prospect also looming for the novel's other protagonist, Tomby, a fellow member of the outfit whose homosexuality makes him a frequent target of abuse from Dixon and his buddies.
Indeed, the novel opens with Tomby being manhandled by them during a beach outing, with the abuse witnessed from shore by Valetta, whom Tomby joins when he emerges from the water and in short order becomes allies with.
An ally, too, Tomby finds in Lili, a bartender at an off-base establishment which if not expressly a gay bar nevertheless offers safe harbor for those of Tomby’s persuasion.
“Be careful,” though, she keeps warning him as the two become simpatico enough that it is through her that a way is set up for him to head for Canada – an alternative that, like deWitt’s protagonist, he keeps vacillating about.
Saying more would be giving away too much about a novel which, as with deWitt’s, is lent topicality by the current situation in Iran, which couldn’t have been even a blip on the radar when Ferejohn began writing but certainly now, with talk of boots on the ground there and the draft being talked about for the first time in decades and a number of Americans already having lost their lives to that conflict, makes both Ferejohn’s book and deWitt’s, for all their remoteness from the present time, very much germane today.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the advanced digital copy! Especially to Kari Olson for reaching out 🙂A tired and overworked student is very grateful for the reminder of their obligation. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

An unlikely friendship between two people who are more alike than they may know, forged under hard circumstances, and how their new lives, embracing all parts of themselves, begin!

This is my first ever Vietnam novel. Is it considered one? I suppose it is, since it is set during the Vietnam War era, though not a lot of war actually happens. As someone who is not familiar with American history, the Vietnam War background was completely alien to me. I had no idea why these Marines were stationed in Hawaii. That is on me, I'm just pointing out that someone who is not from the USA like me may want to first do a quick Vietnam War History 101 to better understand and follow the story.

This is a medium paced, mostly character focused book. The story unfolds mostly as our characters are anticipating deployment (for themselves or their spouses), and it's a looming specter that eventually sets the final plot gears into motion. It's a turning point for many of them, acting as the push much needed for everyone to grow in the right direction. I especially enjoyed how those parting moments between Kiki and Valette played out. “Kiki, the strangest of the few people Valetta had ever felt drawn to;” Almost wanted for (spoilers ahead) Kiki to somehow follow Val and for them to leave together, anywhere. Wishful thinking. They'll find their own ways eventually, I'm not worried about them.

Marriage between Val and Dixon was… it was a hard topic to write about, and I'd say from how hopeless it made me feel to read about it, Val describing it as a sentence she has to live under that she's aware of every second of her life, the author did it justice.

The scene between Tomby and Lili, where he finally opens up and lets someone know him, and with letting himself be known also opening up the space within himself to live as he is without fear? Most memorable scene of the entire novel. That along with the red flower in her hair. I just love how the ambiance of Hokeo was built!

The writing was engaging, and each character had their own distinct voice, just similar enough for you as a reader to feel how their stories and lives converge. It left me feeling hopeful for their future as well as my own. It made me realize we are braver than we think, mostly thanks to the people and communities that have our backs.

Queer folks of all ages are the perfect audience for this story portraying queer elders providing support and visibility to youngsters still figuring out their lives (intergenerational solidarity!!!), finding unlikely allys and complex female relationships that were the highlight of my reading experience.

I enjoyed this novel a lot and would pick up something else from the same author. Hopefully there will be a lot more new books waiting for me in the future!