Synopsis: From Author: Telly Brensen longs for his father, missing since WWII, and despises his mother’s suitors; and when her priceless ring disappears, this ignites his long smoldering rage. He hunts down the ring, maiming the thug who has it; and even though this frees a man wrongfully imprisoned for taking it, he is prosecuted into choosing between the Marines or jail. His choice lands him in Vietnam, where he carries out an act of extraordinary valor. This time, though, a gunfight with a jealous NCO turns a Medal of Honor nomination into a dishonorable discharge. Four years later, with reasons to live fading fast, Telly gets a tip concerning his father. He tracks down old friend Arthur Spevak, solicits him for backup, and sets off alone…for Borneo.
Unknown to Telly, Spevak is a tormented soul in his own right. Once orphaned, a sense of worthlessness sabotages his every attempt at romance, and in desperation, he, too, joins the Marines. When sent to Vietnam, though, anger at the world for driving him to such measures will not abate, and he becomes a notorious rogue – until the death of a brave friend sends him home with new self-loathing. By the time Telly finds him, he is living on a Chinese mountainside, alone, aimless, and broke. Now since they never crossed paths in the war, each is ignorant of the other’s disgrace, and they make an awkward pact. Then Telly vanishes, and Spevak reluctantly picks up the trail, unaware of how far the journey will one day take him.
Review: I’m not sure why I chose Valentine’s day to review this book as The author sounds more like Vonnegut than Nick Sparks, but since Vonnegut is one of my favorite authors I’ll let it slide. This is the authors attempt at retelling ancient epic adventures in a modern moral dilemma. I’m not saying Honor and Entropy is a new favorite, but it is epic. Epic in its length and in its meat. It is not an easy read, nor is it a simple plotline, it will require the reader to sit and properly digest the entire meal before forming a full comprehension of the depth of this novel. Although it may not be so applauded in all literary circles, I love the almost over-use of description. By thoroughly enveloping the reader in the environment the reader can fully envision the leftovers and fill in their own environment to become even more deeply attached to the story. The dialogue at times feels forced but at others flows from the story as if without it the story would end and collapse. In full disclosure there is foul language, but most of the story deals with the Vietnam era and the fall out. Several of the characters are War vets, and I have been around the military long enough to know that foul language is a part of everyday language. I did get drawn into parts of the story line, (the escape of the General), but not so much that I regretted putting the book down for the night. I attribute that more to the fact that I don’t normally read war stories than the skill of the author.
Rating: **** four stars
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