TL;DR
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers is a powerful coming-of-age novel set during the Vietnam War, exploring the harsh realities faced by young soldiers.
What is Fallen Angels about
Fallen Angels is a young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers that follows seventeen-year-old Richie Perry, a Harlem teenager who enlists in the Army and is sent to fight in the Vietnam War. The narrative delves deep into the brutal realities of war as Perry and his fellow soldiers face combat, moral challenges, and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the book is a poignant exploration of friendship, loss, and the complex nature of heroism. Written with a raw honesty, it has become a significant work in young adult literature, recognized for its realistic portrayal of the war and those who fight in it.
Fallen Angels 6 Key Takeaways
Richie Perry enlists in the Army
Unable to afford college, seventeen-year-old Richie Perry volunteers for the Army and is deployed to Vietnam, setting the stage for his transformative journey.
Perry's introduction to war
Perry and his platoon face the terrifying realities of combat, including the deaths of civilians and fellow soldiers, and the constant threat of violence.
Friendship and camaraderie
Perry forms deep bonds with his fellow soldiers, including Peewee Gates, whose dark humor and wisecracks provide some relief from their grim circumstances.
Moral complexities of war
The novel explores the moral ambiguities that soldiers face, challenging the notion of war as purely heroic or romantic.
Personal growth and self-reflection
Perry grapples with his fear, the trauma of war, and his own identity, ultimately finding strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
The impact of war on soldiers
Through vivid and often harrowing descriptions, the book depicts the lasting psychological and physical effects of war on young soldiers.
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Fallen Angels Best Reviews
- "Fallen Angels reaches deep into the minds of soldiers and makes readers feel they are there, deep in the heart of war." - Booklist
- "One of the great coming-of-age Vietnam War stories that offers a raw and honest portrayal of the experiences of soldiers." - School Library Journal
Top Fallen Angels Quotes
- "I just wanted to be out of the war and back home."
- "There was no glory in war, only suffering and pain."
Who should read Fallen Angels?
Fallen Angels is ideal for young adults and readers interested in historical fiction and war stories. It offers a realistic and thought-provoking depiction of the Vietnam War, making it valuable for those seeking to understand the emotional and psychological impact of combat on young soldiers.
Fallen Angels FAQs
What happens in Fallen Angels?
Set during the Vietnam War, Fallen Angels follows the story of a young soldier named Richie Perry as he navigates the harsh realities of war. The novel explores themes of friendship, loss, and the moral complexities of combat, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the experiences of soldiers in war.
What was Walter Dean Myers's purpose for writing Fallen Angels?
Myers wrote Fallen Angels to dispel the notion of war as either romantic or simplistically heroic. He was motivated by his younger brother's death in Vietnam and sought to provide a realistic depiction of the war's impact on young soldiers.
Should I read Fallen Angels?
Reading Fallen Angels can be an intense experience, one that even reluctant readers may appreciate. This highly realistic depiction of young soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War was one of the first books to illuminate that war for young people.