The Sorrow of War

by Bao Ninh
The Sorrow of War cover
Good Books rating 4.08
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 8724
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781448105595
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2012-02-29
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Kien, a survivor of the brutal Vietnam War, is tasked with the grim duty of recovering corpses in the Jungle of Screaming Souls. This desolate landscape holds the memories of his battalion's annihilation by American forces in 1969, an event that left him one of only ten survivors. The novel delves into Kien's struggle to come to terms with the eleven years he spent fighting in a war he now sees as senseless. Based on the true experiences of author Bao Ninh, this powerful narrative is often compared to the classic anti-war novel 'All Quiet on the Western Front'./n/nThe Sorrow of War is a deeply personal and poignant account of the psychological and emotional toll of war. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict. The novel's vivid and harrowing depictions of war have earned it a place among the most revered works of literature on the subject.

Reviews
Travel Fish · 2025-12-22
brutal 4.50

The book is hard-hitting and unabashedly brutal, offering a raw and essential perspective on the Vietnam War. It remains a classic that is both deeply earnest and profoundly impactful.

The reviewer describes The Sorrow of War as a hard-hitting and unabashedly brutal novel that offers a raw and essential perspective on the Vietnam War. They highlight its deeply earnest and profoundly impactful nature, making it a classic that stands the test of time. The book's unflinching portrayal of war's brutality and its emotional depth are particularly noteworthy, making it a must-read for those interested in war literature.

Quick quotes

    Hard-hitting, deeply earnest and unabashedly brutal, Bao Ninh's 1994-published The Sorrow of War is a North Vietnamese war classic that remains essential.

    The book offers a raw and essential perspective on the Vietnam War.

    It remains a classic that is both deeply earnest and profoundly impactful.

By The Firelight · By The Firelight · 2018-02-15
thought-provoking 3.75

The novel is successful in its portrayal of the protagonist's experiences and emotions. The inclusion of certain elements, such as the rape scene, adds complexity but may be seen as excessive.

By The Firelight finds The Sorrow of War to be a successful novel that effectively portrays the protagonist's experiences and emotions. They appreciate the book's exploration of the protagonist's inner world and the lasting impact of war. However, they note that certain elements, such as the rape scene, add complexity but may be seen as excessive. Overall, they believe the book is a powerful and thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on the Vietnam War.

Quick quotes

    The Sorrow of War is a successful novel.

    The only element that seems a little much is the rape.

    Kien's reaction to it, definitely complicates the narrative.

Karissa Reads Books · Karissa · 2015-11-20
moving 4.00

The novel is compared to All Quiet on the Western Front, but it stands out with its unique perspective and emotional depth. The narrative is fragmented, reflecting the protagonist's trauma and memory.

Karissa finds The Sorrow of War to be a deeply moving and unique war novel. She appreciates the fragmented narrative style, which she believes effectively conveys the protagonist's trauma and the inescapable nature of war's impact. While it shares similarities with other war literature, she thinks it stands out due to its distinct perspective and emotional depth. The book's exploration of memory and the lingering effects of war is particularly poignant, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Blurbs for the novel compare it to All Quiet on the Western Front and I understand that impulse but it's not quite accurate.

    The narrative is fragmented, reflecting the protagonist's trauma and memory.

    The Sorrow of War is a deeply moving and unique war novel.

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