Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?

Title:
Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?

Author:
Tim O'Brien

Summary: (ClassZone)
Billy Boy Watkins steps on a mine in Vietnam, blowing off his foot. The shock of the incident grips Billy and in his ensuing panic, he dies from a heart attack. Private First Class Paul Berlin, a young, inexperienced soldier, witnesses this event and has an intense reaction to Billy's tragic death. Seized by the irony of a young man literally scaring himself to death, Paul must deal with his own fears as he moves through the jungle with his company later that same day.

About the Author: (Wikipedia)
Tim O'Brien (born October 1, 1946 in Minnesota) is an American novelist who often writes about his experiences in the Vietnam War and the impact the war had on the American servicemen who fought there. He has held the endowed chair at the MFA program of Texas State University-San Marcos several times, from 2003 to 2004, then from 2005 to 2006, and a third time from 2008 to 2009.

I'd Recommend to...
Teachers to use in class

My Rating:
4.7

My Thoughts:
Private First Class Paul Berlin is finishing his first day in the army in the Vietnam War. He is scared senseless and pretends that he is not a solider in a war and that he is back home camping. When Tony, or Buff, talks to him about Billy Boy Watkins's death, Paul cannot stop laughing. Billy Boy died of a heart attack because he was so scared. The story tells of Billy Boy's death and Paul's non-ability to stop laughing and Paul's own fears. It is a short story and a good one to read about war and how though soldiers are thought to be brave and courageous, they are still human and are still scared.