http://www.bloggernews.net/114704 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:45:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://www.bloggernews.net/114704#comment-289874 Michael B. Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:03:49 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/114704#comment-289874 This is a well-crafted look through a little girl's eyes at an often sweet and sometimes dark childhood. Remember where you were when the Vietnam War was being fought? If you are Ms. West's age and living in the U.S., chances are you were enjoying a far different upbringing. In "Beyond the Rice Paddies," she gives us a compelling snapshot of what it was like to grow up as war raged around her home in Vietnam. The vignettes are written in first person, which gives them a dreamy quality of recollection and add feeling to the author's remembrance of a life lived in what now must seem like a strange time and place. It is refreshing to read a book written by someone who is grateful to American troops for the battles they fought. Ms. West refers to the soldiers who marched through her village as "giants," a phrase she uses to describe how they appeared to a little girl, but perhaps also a revealing insight into how she feels about those brave and honorable men. I finished the book hoping for an epilogue. There wasn't one, but perhaps that is the basis for her next book. Well done. This is a well-crafted look through a little girl’s eyes at an often sweet and sometimes dark childhood. Remember where you were when the Vietnam War was being fought? If you are Ms. West’s age and living in the U.S., chances are you were enjoying a far different upbringing. In “Beyond the Rice Paddies,” she gives us a compelling snapshot of what it was like to grow up as war raged around her home in Vietnam. The vignettes are written in first person, which gives them a dreamy quality of recollection and add feeling to the author’s remembrance of a life lived in what now must seem like a strange time and place. It is refreshing to read a book written by someone who is grateful to American troops for the battles they fought. Ms. West refers to the soldiers who marched through her village as “giants,” a phrase she uses to describe how they appeared to a little girl, but perhaps also a revealing insight into how she feels about those brave and honorable men. I finished the book hoping for an epilogue. There wasn’t one, but perhaps that is the basis for her next book. Well done.

]]> http://www.bloggernews.net/114704#comment-268105 Gerard J. Washburn Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:07:25 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/114704#comment-268105 Linda West writes an intriguing page burner that tends to draw the reader in with simple calming emotions of heart felt empathy for a young girl whose own heart is full of empathy and Love. My heart bleeds for those left behind. 'Beyond the Rice Paddies' has the potential of a great book. Linda West writes an intriguing page burner that tends to draw the reader in with simple calming emotions of heart felt empathy for a young girl whose own heart is full of empathy and Love. My heart bleeds for those left behind.
‘Beyond the Rice Paddies’ has the potential of a great book.

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