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Study Guide

The Things They Carried

Tim O'Brien
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64 pages • 2 hours read

Tim O'Brien

The Things They Carried

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 1990

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  • Before You Read

  • Summary

  • Character Analysis

  • Themes

  • Symbols & Motifs

  • Important Quotes

  • Vocabulary

  • Essay Topics

  • Quiz

    • Before You Read

    Reviews & Readership

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    Review Roundup

    Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried is widely praised for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth, effectively blending fiction and memoir. Critics commend its nuanced exploration of the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on soldiers. However, some note its fragmented structure can be disorienting. Overall, it remains a profound and impactful narrative.

    Who should read this

    Who Should Read The Things They Carried?

    A reader who enjoys The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is likely drawn to poignant, deeply human war stories and compelling character studies. Fans of All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque or Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut will appreciate its blend of brutal honesty and lyrical narrative.

    Recommended

    Reading Age

    18+years

    Lexile Level

    880L

    Book Details

    Topics
    Military / War
    Themes
    Society: War
    Genre
    American Literature
    Creative Nonfiction
    Period
    Vietnam War