Reviews for Gunning for Ho: Vietnam Stories

The average rating for Gunning for Ho: Vietnam Stories based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-12-27 00:00:00 Caitee Vallee 1988; New York. Thanks for lending this Wren, I really enjoyed this book although it took me forever to read. My favourite stories were 'A letter to harvey milk' (written from the point of view of the old man in the retirement home who had met h.m.); 'the best revenge' (dyke couple who fought a lot) and 'something shiny' (about the pride march and aids memorial quilt in 1985).

Review # 2 was written on 2018-12-26 00:00:00 Timothy Sullivan Despite having been born in the latter years of the Vietnam War, and not having read deeply in the field, I am confident this collection of six short stories and a novella by a former Green Beret, is destined to be a classic of Vietnam War fiction. Destined because they resound with the truth--and aren't really concerned with making any political statement. Barnes's stories tell you about the young men who went off to war in an alien landscape, and how they--and those they left behind--were transformed forever. The first three stories are thematically joined by strong surreal elements that speak to the wider confusion and disorientation felt by many who served. More like Kafka than Conrad. The fourth and fifth stories are more straightforward tales of aftermath and picking up the pieces. I found the novella ("Tunnel Rat") to be somewhat more elusive than the stories, and less forceful. It may take a re-reading or two to really get at it. The final (and title) story is a direct descendant of Heart of Darkness, and succeeds in spite of traveling that well-worn path. As a whole, this collection is a testament to the humanity of the men who went to Vietnam.