--- product_id: 771522 title: "The Things They Carried" price: "£9.34" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/771522-the-things-they-carried store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Award-winning acclaim Timeless literary classic Deep psychological insight The Things They Carried **Price:** £9.34 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Carry the stories that changed a generation. ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Things They Carried - **How much does it cost?** £9.34 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/771522-the-things-they-carried) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Universal Resonance:** Taught from high schools to graduate seminars, a must-have for any thoughtful reader. - • **Narrative Innovation:** Interconnected stories that mirror the fragmented reality of combat and memory. - • **A Modern American Classic:** Essential reading that shapes perspectives on war, memory, and storytelling. - • **Award-Winning Masterpiece:** Recipient of the Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger and finalist for Pulitzer and National Book Critics Circle Awards. - • **Unmatched Emotional Depth:** Explores PTSD, courage, and the human cost of war with raw, poetic prose. ## Overview The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is a groundbreaking Vietnam War fiction collection blending fact and fiction to explore the emotional and psychological burdens of soldiers. Celebrated for its innovative narrative style and profound themes, it has won prestigious awards and remains a cornerstone of American literature, essential for understanding the human cost of war. ## Description A classic work of American literature that has not stopped changing minds and lives since it burst onto the literary scene, The Things They Carried is a ground-breaking work of Vietnam War fiction and a meditation on war, memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling. In this landmark collection of stories, The Things They Carried depicts the men of Alpha Company: Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and the character Tim O’Brien, who has survived his tour in Vietnam to become a father and writer at the age of forty-three. Taught everywhere—from high school classrooms to graduate seminars in creative writing—it has become required reading for any American and continues to challenge readers in their perceptions of fact and fiction, war and peace, courage and fear and longing. The Things They Carried won France's prestigious Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger and the Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize; it was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Review: Great read! Heart wrenching journey through Vietnam war - Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" is more than just a collection of war stories; it's an intricate exploration of the burdens borne by soldiers during the Vietnam War. The book masterfully blurs the lines between fiction and memoir, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. O'Brien's narrative structure is unconventional yet effective. The book is composed of interconnected stories that revolve around the experiences of a platoon of American soldiers. This fragmented style mirrors the chaotic and disjointed nature of war itself, immersing readers in the soldiers' reality. Each chapter can stand alone, yet together, they form a cohesive and compelling portrait of war and its aftermath. The characters in "The Things They Carried" are richly developed and achingly human. O'Brien delves into their inner lives, exposing their fears, hopes, and regrets. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, for instance, is haunted by his love for a girl back home and the death of a comrade, illustrating the personal costs of leadership and responsibility. Through these intimate portrayals, O'Brien brings to life the emotional weight that each soldier carries, both literally and metaphorically. One of the book's greatest strengths is its exploration of themes such as fear, courage, guilt, and the search for meaning. The title itself is a powerful metaphor for the physical and emotional burdens the soldiers bear. O'Brien skillfully uses symbolism to enhance these themes, such as the weight of the physical items each soldier carries representing their psychological burdens. O'Brien's writing is poignant and evocative, often leaving readers with a profound sense of empathy and sorrow. His prose is both lyrical and raw, capturing the brutal realities of war while also finding moments of beauty and humanity. The book's emotional impact is heightened by O'Brien's willingness to confront the complexities of memory and truth, challenging readers to consider the nature of storytelling and the ways we process trauma. What sets "The Things They Carried" apart is its authenticity. O'Brien, a Vietnam veteran himself, infuses the book with an honesty that is both brutal and tender. He does not shy away from the horrors of war, but he also acknowledges the moments of camaraderie and love that sustain the soldiers. This balance makes the book not just a war story, but a universal exploration of the human condition. "The Things They Carried" is a masterpiece of contemporary literature, offering a profound and deeply moving look at the Vietnam War and its enduring impact on those who fought it. Tim O'Brien's ability to weave together fact and fiction, past and present, creates a narrative that is as enlightening as it is heart-wrenching. For anyone seeking to understand the true cost of war, this book is an essential read. Review: Truth in Fiction, Death and PTSD - Tim O'Brien is a national treasure. Thank you, Mr. O'Brian, for your work. Four things I would like to focus on in my review of this seminal Vietnam War novel: 1. O'Brien addresses head on the paradox of fiction being more true than factually accurate history in conveying an experience. A detail that did not occur, can actually convey the reality of an experience more strongly than the strictly accurate account ever could. I find this true and I find it amazing. I think in the experience of living an event, especially a stressful or traumatic event, one becomes hyper-aware of small details--even your own heartbeat. Later, when recounting the experience, the facts often don't adequately capture the intensity of the moment. The story-teller, to then give an accurate representation of the lived moment, to get the reader/hearer to feel what was felt, must add some details. To accurately convey the feeling is the art, the job of the story-teller. Factual accuracy is the domain of the academic historian. Those in the trenches, telling their lived experience, should strive for emotional accuracy--a different, but no less important, truth that must also be preserved. O'Brien does that perfectly here, if occasionally with blushed cheeks as he tells on himself for doing so. 2. Death has always been personally present in the wars of the past (in the drone and hacking wars of the future death will be largely remote). Death looms large in O'Brien's Vietnamese jungle. I found the way the soldiers dealt with death to be odd and moving and disturbing. They prop up a dead old villager and shake and high-five his remaining hand. They take turns voicing their dead battle-buddy's signature mellow tone as his dead body waits for evac choppers to arrive. Death is too terrible to face head on--it must be mocked and laughed at to be borne. The main incident when it is faced head-on haunts the narrator for the rest of his life. 3. Which brings us to PTSD. One of the soldiers kills himself after not being able to adjust to civilian life after the war. The narrator returns with his daughter to the field where his friend died looking to find closure and finds little peace. The soldiers are forever changed, their innocence lost. I served in the Army, I never saw death up close and personal, and I still had mild PTSD after getting out. I can't imagine the hell in the minds of soldiers who fought in close combat in the wars of the 20th century. I mourn with them and empathize and promise to try to do more to help vets returning from combat zones. 4. Finally, a note about the writing. It is masterful. Beautiful. Real without being trite. O'Brien's style here is as much poetry as prose. Every writer should read O'Brien and learn from a master. It was a true pleasure to read. Which seems strange to say about a book about such difficult and dark topics. ## Features - Great product! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #879 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #11 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction #16 in War Fiction (Books) #120 in Literary Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 16,358 Reviews | ## Images ![The Things They Carried - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71boO2LKbCL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great read! Heart wrenching journey through Vietnam war *by M***Z on July 24, 2024* Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" is more than just a collection of war stories; it's an intricate exploration of the burdens borne by soldiers during the Vietnam War. The book masterfully blurs the lines between fiction and memoir, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. O'Brien's narrative structure is unconventional yet effective. The book is composed of interconnected stories that revolve around the experiences of a platoon of American soldiers. This fragmented style mirrors the chaotic and disjointed nature of war itself, immersing readers in the soldiers' reality. Each chapter can stand alone, yet together, they form a cohesive and compelling portrait of war and its aftermath. The characters in "The Things They Carried" are richly developed and achingly human. O'Brien delves into their inner lives, exposing their fears, hopes, and regrets. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, for instance, is haunted by his love for a girl back home and the death of a comrade, illustrating the personal costs of leadership and responsibility. Through these intimate portrayals, O'Brien brings to life the emotional weight that each soldier carries, both literally and metaphorically. One of the book's greatest strengths is its exploration of themes such as fear, courage, guilt, and the search for meaning. The title itself is a powerful metaphor for the physical and emotional burdens the soldiers bear. O'Brien skillfully uses symbolism to enhance these themes, such as the weight of the physical items each soldier carries representing their psychological burdens. O'Brien's writing is poignant and evocative, often leaving readers with a profound sense of empathy and sorrow. His prose is both lyrical and raw, capturing the brutal realities of war while also finding moments of beauty and humanity. The book's emotional impact is heightened by O'Brien's willingness to confront the complexities of memory and truth, challenging readers to consider the nature of storytelling and the ways we process trauma. What sets "The Things They Carried" apart is its authenticity. O'Brien, a Vietnam veteran himself, infuses the book with an honesty that is both brutal and tender. He does not shy away from the horrors of war, but he also acknowledges the moments of camaraderie and love that sustain the soldiers. This balance makes the book not just a war story, but a universal exploration of the human condition. "The Things They Carried" is a masterpiece of contemporary literature, offering a profound and deeply moving look at the Vietnam War and its enduring impact on those who fought it. Tim O'Brien's ability to weave together fact and fiction, past and present, creates a narrative that is as enlightening as it is heart-wrenching. For anyone seeking to understand the true cost of war, this book is an essential read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Truth in Fiction, Death and PTSD *by A***M on January 7, 2019* Tim O'Brien is a national treasure. Thank you, Mr. O'Brian, for your work. Four things I would like to focus on in my review of this seminal Vietnam War novel: 1. O'Brien addresses head on the paradox of fiction being more true than factually accurate history in conveying an experience. A detail that did not occur, can actually convey the reality of an experience more strongly than the strictly accurate account ever could. I find this true and I find it amazing. I think in the experience of living an event, especially a stressful or traumatic event, one becomes hyper-aware of small details--even your own heartbeat. Later, when recounting the experience, the facts often don't adequately capture the intensity of the moment. The story-teller, to then give an accurate representation of the lived moment, to get the reader/hearer to feel what was felt, must add some details. To accurately convey the feeling is the art, the job of the story-teller. Factual accuracy is the domain of the academic historian. Those in the trenches, telling their lived experience, should strive for emotional accuracy--a different, but no less important, truth that must also be preserved. O'Brien does that perfectly here, if occasionally with blushed cheeks as he tells on himself for doing so. 2. Death has always been personally present in the wars of the past (in the drone and hacking wars of the future death will be largely remote). Death looms large in O'Brien's Vietnamese jungle. I found the way the soldiers dealt with death to be odd and moving and disturbing. They prop up a dead old villager and shake and high-five his remaining hand. They take turns voicing their dead battle-buddy's signature mellow tone as his dead body waits for evac choppers to arrive. Death is too terrible to face head on--it must be mocked and laughed at to be borne. The main incident when it is faced head-on haunts the narrator for the rest of his life. 3. Which brings us to PTSD. One of the soldiers kills himself after not being able to adjust to civilian life after the war. The narrator returns with his daughter to the field where his friend died looking to find closure and finds little peace. The soldiers are forever changed, their innocence lost. I served in the Army, I never saw death up close and personal, and I still had mild PTSD after getting out. I can't imagine the hell in the minds of soldiers who fought in close combat in the wars of the 20th century. I mourn with them and empathize and promise to try to do more to help vets returning from combat zones. 4. Finally, a note about the writing. It is masterful. Beautiful. Real without being trite. O'Brien's style here is as much poetry as prose. Every writer should read O'Brien and learn from a master. It was a true pleasure to read. Which seems strange to say about a book about such difficult and dark topics. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding Vietnam war history *by L***K on November 18, 2025* Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried remains, for me, one of the most powerful works of American literature—war literature, yes, but also human literature. I first read it back in the 1990s when the Chicago Public Library chose it for their One City, One Book program. I can still picture the event where I met O’Brien: his calm voice, his steady presence, and the way he spoke about memory, truth, and the emotional residue of Vietnam. Even then, he carried a quiet gravity that you don’t forget. Revisiting the book now—decades later—has been unexpectedly emotional. My youngest son was assigned it in his English class, and together we’ve spent the last month exploring America’s involvement in Vietnam. We’ve talked history, watched films (his favorite so far is Platoon), and wrestled with the complexities of a conflict that still lingers in our national imagination. And reading O’Brien alongside him has reminded me how deeply this book cuts. For me, this reread transported me right back to my late teens and early twenties. I was too young to serve in Vietnam, but not too young to register for the draft—and certainly not too young to feel the country’s struggle to make sense of what had happened. My friends and I devoured anything we could find in those years, trying to piece together an understanding of a war that nearly pulled the country apart. In many ways, I realize I’m still trying to understand it. What makes O’Brien’s writing extraordinary is his ability to blend fact, memory, emotion, and imagination into something truer than straightforward history. His stories show what soldiers carried in their packs, yes—but more importantly, what they carried in their hearts. Fear, guilt, hope, grief, absurdity, love—it’s all there, unvarnished and unforgettable. The lines between fiction and nonfiction blur, but the emotional truth never wavers. Reading The Things They Carried again reminded me why this book has endured for so many readers across the generations. It is a masterpiece of storytelling, an essential account of the Vietnam War, and a deeply human reminder of how experiences shape us long after the moment has passed. Sharing this with my son has been unexpectedly meaningful—almost like passing forward a torch from one generation still searching for answers to another beginning the search. And the beauty of O’Brien’s writing is that it leaves space for that searching. It invites you in. A timeless, haunting, beautifully written book. I’m grateful I returned to it. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Things They Carried - A Raisin in the Sun - The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. 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