The Things They Carried
by Tim O'Brien · first published 1990
70% recommend25% neutral5% critical
Why HN recommends it
Vietnam War novel with striking prose that conveys the horror of war while really exploring empathy and how perception shapes truth; holds up on rereading well after school, and suits readers wanting literary fiction.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The Things They Carried (1990) is a collection of linked short stories by American novelist Tim O'Brien, about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War. His third book about the war, it is based upon his experiences as a soldier in the 23rd Infantry Division.
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Slouching Towards Bethlehem (Joan Didion) Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes) The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (Paul Zindel) The Things They Carried (Tim O' Brien) This Side of Paradise (F. Scott Fitzgerald) Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury) Essentially a children's sci-fi novel, but it doesn't read that way. A Moveable Feast (Ernest…
on “Ask HN: I have no commitments for the next 6 months – what books should I read?” ↗…the Triffids - Childhood's End Fantasy: - The Stormlight Archives - The First Law Trilogy - The Lord of the Rings Literature: - The Stranger - Dubliners - Things I've Learned from Dying - The Things They Carried - Cloud Atlas - Stoner - Pillars of the Earth
on “Ask HN: Which non-programming books are a beneficial read for programmers?” ↗…soldier fighting for the north in the Vietnam war, I highly recommend The Sorrow of War[0]. I read it in college in a Vietnam and the US History class and it was blown away. This book, along with The Things They Carried[1] are worthwhile reads. [0] - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sorrow_of_War [1] - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Things_They_Carried
on “Vietnam War images from the North Vietnamese side” ↗The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien I'm a little embarrassed to say it's the only book I've had the motivation to finish this year. It's a fantastic book though, and during the age of the "war on facts" it's quite relevant.
on “Ask HN: Best books you've read in 2019?” ↗> There's a term for this, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verisimilitude_(fiction) Yes, I'm aware of this term, back from when I read Tim O'Brien masterful Vietnam War novel, "The Things They Carried" (which I recommend if you haven't read it). A Game of Thrones has plenty of verosimilitude. The thing about it is that's about feelings, the emotions in the reader. If you read it and something takes…
on “Why no Roman industrial revolution?” ↗If anyone is interested in Vietnam "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien is excellent.
on “The Real War 1939-1945 (1989)” ↗…about the foreshadowing and meaning behind Dickens' words. At the time I really didn't appreciate it as much as I should have, but I'm incredibly grateful that my teacher made us read through that. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brian was another one read in class that I think helped shape my perspective on the world for the better.
on “Ask HN: What book had a big impact on you as a child or teenager?” ↗…Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan (Great thoughts and advice from Carl Sagan. The last chapter had a profound effect on the way I think of the US constitution). - The Things They Carried (Great novel about the hell of war, as well as incredible prose writing). - Mindfulness in Plain English (Great book about mindfulness meditation). - My Voice Will Go with You: The Teaching Tales of…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗“The Things They Carried” a haunting book about American soldiers in the Vietnam war. It’s helped me understand the horrors of war and life, the significance of a person’s perception of an event rather than pure facts, and appreciate…
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗…myself in a similar position recently. I've gone back and read books usually assigned in high school and really enjoyed returning to them after all these years. Anything Vonnegut, East of Eden, and The Things They Carried, to name a few.
on “Ask HN: Best books you've read in 2015” ↗The Things They Carried by O’Brian - it’s ostensibly a war book but is nothing about war. It’s about empathy. The world, unfortunately, mostly operates without empathy. Knowing that helps to understand various actions people…
on “Ask HN: Which book helped you understand the world?” ↗I loved reading “The Things They Carried” many years ago in school, definitely a great read.
on “''How to Tell a True War Story'' (1990) by Tim O'Brien [pdf]” ↗…love every you read (I will never appreciate reading Shakespeare) but ideally are just trying to expose you to a wide range of things to help you find what you might love. I would have never read “The Things They Carried” independent of school but “How to tell a true war story” is one of the most important chapters of any book I’ve ever read in my life.
on “Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters” ↗I don't know if that's entirely accurate. I just read The Body (basis for Stand By Me) and it was as personal and emotionally complex as any literary-approved fiction. It reminded me a lot of The Things They Carried, actually. I think the biggest issue is that once he was pidgeonholed into being a "trope-master, scary fiction guy", no one would look at his writing any other way. And to be fair, MOST of his writing…
on “The cultural decline of literary fiction” ↗“The Things They Carried” - agree one of the best books I have ever read.
on “''How to Tell a True War Story'' (1990) by Tim O'Brien [pdf]” ↗