Rating: Summary: great characters, little mystery Review: I like many enjoy reading Nelson DeMille. His characters, especially the witty and arrogant protagonist make me laugh often out loud. His females are sexy and attractive (except the smoking). The narrative (and travelogue) was great. I found the descriptions of current day Viet Nam interesting and the descriptions of the scenes from the war extremely intense and riveting. The bad guys were good (oxymoron?) but there wasn't enough confrontation. And when will Paul learn to be quiet (although that is what makes him fun to read)? My only complaint about the book is the mystery and the many questions left unanswered. First, why would the government send their best (although maverick) investigator to find an answer to something they already knew and something they wanted to keep a secret? Also, what happened at the end? An epilog would have been nice. All in all, a fun and informative read. Highly recommended!
Rating: Summary: Highly Recommended! Review: Up Country is a book that succeeds in many ways by providing: very interesting and strongly developed characters, a tension-laced plot (although this is not a story that is driven by suspense and action), a highly educational perspective of Vietnam from both a contemporary and historical perspective, and humor via the biting, sarcastic thoughts and comments of the main character, Paul Brenner (who was the protagonist in DeMille's book, The General's Daughter). I know that many of those critical of Up Country found it to be more of a travelogue of a veteran's return to Vietnam 30 years after the war than the type of thriller you've come to expect from DeMille. To some degree I agree with the thoughts about the book seeming like a travelogue, but I very much enjoyed the "trip" and consider it to be a memorable one. I expect that DeMille plans a sequel to Up Country, and I'm ready to sign up for the experience right now. If you're ready for a somewhat different type of book from DeMille, I think you'll highly enjoy Up Country and consider it to be one of his more memorable works.
Rating: Summary: Interesting Review: The book was too long, and could have done with a good edit. The female character wasn't fleshed out enough. However, the background was superb. I found out so much interesting information about Vietnam and the people.
Rating: Summary: What A Page Turner! Review: My favorite books of Nelson Demille's have been, up to this point, the Gold Coast and Plum Island. Now Up Country has surpassed both of them. If one likes adventure and is quick-witted at all, how can you not like this book? The characters seem real and what an amazing travelogue. I wish he would release 12 books a year. Don't miss this book!
Rating: Summary: Fast, but too long and weak ending. Review: As usual with DeMille, you are sucked in by the first 200 pages and then realize he is GOING TO TAKE HIS TIME getting to the point. Add my name to those who feel an strong editor could have whittled down all of DeMille's ramblings about his Vietnam demons down from 700 to 450 pages and used some of it to provide a better ending. It's a nice plot twist at the end, but it's too long getting there and it begs for a more satisfying resolution.
Rating: Summary: Up Country Review: A facinating read for me. Having grown up with the Vietnam war, but not having served, I have always been interested with what it must have been like. Demille also writes with a style that I find most entertaining. I hated to have it end. I believe it will make an excellent picture, particularly if Travolta will come back to play the lead. Looking forward to his next novel.
Rating: Summary: Disappointing Review: I waiting a long time for the newest Demille book. I'm soooooo disappointed! I have read all of his novels and find them absolutely impossible to put down. This one I find impossible to pick up. I'm forcing myself to try and finish it, but since I'm only half-way through and bored to tears, it will be a struggle!
Rating: Summary: Demille is getting worse instead of better! Review: I loved the Charm School and the Generals Daughter but was completely disappointed with his last book. I made the mistake of thinking the next one couldnt be worse....it is!!! Maybe its because I am not a Nam vet! I felt Up Country read like a travel guide instead of a mystery....really disappointed. This will be my last DeMille book.
Rating: Summary: Engrossing, amusing, disturbing - a great read! Review: I am a true DeMille fan. I love the way he captures his readers with his stories. Up Country is another home run. I don't remember much about Viet Nam and this story has helped to re-educate me on what a horrible war it was and what atrocities everyone went through on both sides. I like Paul Brenner and wonder how much of Nelson DeMille is really in Paul. Brenner is intelligent, funny, dangerous, and romantic. I love his interaction with the other characters in the story. It's a great read. I know a movie is going to be made of this book and I sure hope they do a better job with this book than they did with The General's Daughter. I thoroughly enjoyed that book but didn't think the movie did it justice.
Rating: Summary: Should be required reading for history classes! Review: This is one of DeMille's best books ever! I was a teenager during the Vietnam war. I graduated high school the year Saigon fell, so this book really hit home for me. Seeing and feeling the pain of the war through the eyes of someone who'd been there made reading this book an incredibly moving experience. The level of detail -- which is DeMille's forte -- made it easy to visualize the places and feel the people. And I absolutely loved Paul Brenner's whit and sarcasm. He's an extremely likeable character. I hope there's a sequel!
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