Tim O'Brien, Novelist

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"Forty-three years old, and the war occurred half a lifetime ago, and yet the remembering makes it now. And sometimes remembering will lead to a story, which makes it forever. That's what stories are for. Stories are for joining the past to the future. Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can't remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember except the story." 
~Tim O'Brien

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© Marilyn Knapp Litt 2002 - Permission granted to reuse with photo credit.
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Interview in Atlantic

 

Who is reading The Things They Carried?

Residents of:

Chicago!  
Richmond, VA
Hampshire County, MA
Cleveland County, OH
Wautauga County, NC

 

First Year Students at:

Gustavus Adolphus College
James Madison University
The College of New Jersey
University of Texas - San Antonio

Yeshiva College

Michael Yeong's Class at Los Medanos College

 

Tim O'Brien is the author of the following works:

1973 This memoir of his Vietnam service covers his tour to Vietnam as a combat infantryman with the Americal Division in the region around My Lai, from 1969-70. It is one of the earliest books about Vietnam by a combatant and also one of the early entrants in the genre now called "creative nonfiction."    It is a very clear eyed, gripping account of his war.   (excerpt)  (bookclub guide)  (reviews) (covers)

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1975 This is his first published novel.  The book is an account of two brothers in rural Minnesota. One brother returns from the war wounded, but both brothers are at loose ends and uncomfortable with each other, themselves, their lives, and their relationships, particularly with their late father. 
(excerpt)
  (bookclub guide)  
(covers)

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1978 O'Brien's second novel won the National Book Award. It is the tale of a soldier who decides to run away from the Vietnam War. It is a complex book, which repays careful reading.  
(excerpt)  (bookclub guide)  (reviews)  (covers)

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[A la poursuite de Cacciato]

1985 This novel takes a look at how you would live your life if you were always cognizant of, and worried by, the threat of extinction in a nuclear war. He treats this subject very seriously, but the book is written in a comic style.  
(reviews)
 
(covers)

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1990 A gripping series of Vietnam stories gathered in a format of O'Brien's devising.  It is not a collection of short stories, but it is not one story with a beginning and an ending.  It is perhaps closest to listening to a soldier storyteller over a long period time.  While you listen to his stories, you hear a bit of his personal life; he uses repetition of events and certain phrases to reinforce familiarity with the tales.  Closing the book you believe you know the narrator very well.  Attempting to further confuse fiction with non-fiction, Tim O'Brien gave his storyteller the name "Tim O'Brien." 
("How to Tell a True War Story")    (index!)    (earlier version of "How to Tell a True War Story" from Esquire)   ("The Things They Carried" - the story)   (book club guide)  (reviews)  
(covers)

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[cliff notes]
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[A propos de courage]

A very special handmade illustrated chapbook of the stories "Enemies" and "Friends" was available from synaesthesia press.  It is now out of print.

  • In the Lake of the Woods

1994 If you thought you knew "Tim O'Brien" after reading his last novel, now he tells you that it could all be illusion. The hero of this novel, John Wade, thinks he has erased his presence at the My Lai massacre. It isn't part of the stories he tells his wife or a part of his senate campaign. When the truth comes out, his wife finds out she doesn't know the man she married.  
(reviews)
( bookclub guide)  (covers)

Read about Sen. Kerrey's actions in Vietnam, a startling parallel to Wade's problems.

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[American Hallmark Hall of Fame video] 

[American Hallmark Hall of Fame video] 

[paperback]

[Au lac des Bois]

  • The Vietnam in Me

1994 O'Brien's disturbing and splendid essay from the New York Time's Magazine along with interviews and reviews of some of his previous books.  (You will need to complete a form for free registration if you have never visited the "New York Times" website.    It is short and well worth the effort.)

1998 A well-crafted and funny novel. The main character, Thomas Chippering, bends all his efforts to the pursuit of women, from his ex-wife to whoever of the opposite gender is within reach.(audio excerpt)  (excerpt)  (reviews)   (covers)

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[Matou amoureux]

2002 The class of '69 gets back together and learns that the past is still with them and you don't stop changing as you grow older.  Keeping the individual stories separate and then uniting them at the end; O'Brien produces an entertaining tour de force. (covers)

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Canada  In Spanish Japan Austria
[hardback]
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THE "LOST" ART OF THE SHORT STORY

"The Nuclear Age" Atlantic, June 1979 (The Nuclear Age)
"The People We Marry" Atlantic, January 1992 (In the Lake of the Woods)
"Little People" Esquire, October 2001 (July, July)

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Miscellaneous Works and Audio/Video Treats   book-headset-tiny.gif (1916 bytes)

O'Brien's introduction to the 1995 issue of Ploughshares he co-edited.

Tim O'Brien at Ploughshares

  Video Clips from an appearance at Old Dominion in Oct. 2000
Excerpts from Tim O'Brien's talk, "The Things That Writers Carry" Feb. 1, 2000 With Horst Faas on Fresh Air, April 21, 2000 "Writing Vietnam" Address at Brown University, 22 April 1999 (transcript & audio)
O'Brien speaks!  Hear him interviewed on NPR's "Weekend Edition" Oct. 11, 1998 O'Brien interviewed for NPR's Fresh Air, 
March 22, 1990
 
and Nov. 5, 1997
 O'Brien reads from "Tomcat in Love"
The Putt at the End of the World

O'Brien joins other authors, such as Dave Barry, to write a comic golf thriller.  Each author wrote one chapter, O'Brien's chapter is "Tight Lies" and it is 19 pages long.  The book was edited by Les Standiford.  [hardback]

 
 Buy audio and video tapes American Fiction, Volume Seven: The Best Unpublished Short Stories by Emerging Writers

Tim O'Brien, Michael White, Alan Davis, editors
[paperback]
    
[hardback from Germany] 

 

Interviews Discussions of his work Bibliographies

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Appearances . . .

Appearance information is always subject to change.   Please check before making your plans, and when O'Brien will be in your neighborhood.  I will send that information out via my newsletter.

WHERE WHEN THE DETAILS
Gustavus Adolphus College

St. Peter, Minnesota

Christ Chapel
September 18 Tim O'Brien, author of "The Things They Carried," 2003 New Student Reading-in-Common, will lecture and sign copies of his book.

For the Campus Community.  Contact Megan Ruble for more information.

University of Texas at San Antonio
Recital Hall, Arts Building

Public Parking in Lot 5

September 29 4:00 -5:30 Presentation followed by book signing.  Open to the public.
CHARLESTON, SC

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 

The Citadel
Duckett Hall 
171 Moultrie Street

October 1, 6:30 p.m.

Is Vietnam Just a Memory?

Author Tim O'Brien will speak on his riveting Vietnam novels--In The Lake of The Woods, The Things They Carried, and July, July. Book signing.  

(Book Tour Appearance)

PHILADELPHIA, PA

JOSEPH FOX BOOKSHOP 

Blauvelt Theater Friends Select School

17th and the Parkway

October 2, 7:00 Reading and book signing

(Book Tour Appearance)

CINCINNATI, OH

JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS 

2692 Madison Road

October 4, 1:00 (Book Tour Appearance)

 

DAYTON, OH

BOOKS & CO. 

350 E. Stroop Road Town & Country Shopping Center

October 6, 7:00 (Book Tour Appearance)
AUSTIN, TX

BOOK PEOPLE 

603 North Lamar

October 7, 7:30 (Book Tour Appearance)

 

LOS ANGELES, CA

BARNES & NOBLE 

189 Grove Drive

October 8,  Reading, Q&A, signing

(Book Tour Appearance)

SEATTLE - TACOMA, WA

ELLIOTT BAY BOOK COMPANY 

101 S. Main Street

October 9, 7:30 (Book Tour Appearance)
PORTLAND, OR

POWELL'S CITY OF BOOKS

 1005 West Burnside Street

October 10, 7:30 (Book Tour Appearance)

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

CLEAN WELL LIGHTED PLACE

601 Van Ness Avenue

October 13, 7:00 (Book Tour Appearance)

 

The College of New Jersey October 15 Details to come
KANSAS CITY, MO

RAINY DAY BOOKS 

Unity Temple On The Plaza
707 W. 47th Street
 Prairie Village, KS

October 16, 7:00 You need a free ticket and tickets are limited.  Tickets are only available at the bookstore

(Book Tour Appearance)

 

HAMILTON, NY

COLGATE BOOKSTORE

3 Utica Street

October 17, 7:00 (Book Tour Appearance)

 

Please note this is  not an appearance by O'Brien.Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago
October 17, 6:00-8:00 "The Songs They Carried"

A community song circle in tribute to "The Things They Carried."  

ALBANY - SCHENECTADY - TROY

NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE

4869 Main Street
Manchester Center, VT

October 18, 7:00 

 

(Book Tour Appearance)

 

NEW YORK, NY

COOPER UNION

 Continuing Education and Public Programs 
41Cooper Square

October 20, 6:30

 

 

(Book Tour Appearance)

 

Please note this is not an appearance by O'Brien.DePaul University
Student Center, Room 120
2250 N. Sheffield
Chicago
October 20, 6:00 Panel discussion with experts on "The Things They Carried."  
Please note this is not an appearance by O'Brien.Chicago Public Library
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State St.
Auditorium downstairs
October 24, 5:30 Steppenwolf actors will read selections from "The Things They Carried."  
MILWAUKEE, WI

WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL @ Milwaukee Public
Library's Centennial Hall 
733 N. Eighth Street

October 25, 7:00 Event co-sponsored with the Friends of the Milwaukee Public
Library. Each author will read or talk for 15 minutes. Book signing to
follow event. Other confirmed authors are: Anne Garrels (Naked in Baghdad),
Sena Jeter Naslund (Four Spirits) and James Bradley (Flyboys). One more
author is yet to be scheduled.

(Book Tour Appearance)  

ST. LOUIS, MO

LEFT BANK BOOKS 
399 N. Euclid St.

 

October 27, 7:00

 

(Book Tour Appearance)

 

Please note this is not an appearance by O'Brien.DePaul University
Student Center, Room 120
2250 N. Sheffield
Chicago
October 27, 6:00 Staged reading of three stories from "The Things They Carried" followed by discussion. 
Chicago Public Library
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State St.
Auditorium downstairs
October 30, 6:00 O'Brien will read from and discuss "The Things They Carried."  Books will be available for purchase and there will be a book signing
Hendrix College 
Conway, AK
Nov. 6 “Writing One’s Life in Fiction and Non-fiction”
The Kinkaid School Nov. 10 Details to come
Richmond, VA Nov. 13, 6:00 p.m. Details to come
Yeshiva College
Weissburg Commons, Belfer Hall
Nov. 19, 8:00 Yeshiva College Book Project Presents: Tim O'Brien, author of "The Thing They Carried."

This may not be open to the public . . .

PAPERBACK BOOK TOUR FOR JULY, JULY IS COMING THIS FALL!

Tim O'Brien is now a visiting professor at Southwest Texas State University where some very lucky students are learning from him through that university's Creative Writing Program.  O'Brien is at SWT courtesy of "The Roy F. and Joann Mitte Endowed Chair in Creative Writing."

News . . . (no new news!)

Books about O'Brien:

Appy, Chris
PATRIOTS: The Vietnam War Remembered From All Sides

This is a 600 page book with 135 interviews from all points of view about Vietnam.  Tim O'Brien is interviewed, but I have not seen it.  This book got good critical reviews and is well worth a look.

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herzog.gif (8669 bytes) Herzog, Tobey C.
Tim O'Brien
(Twayne's United States Authors Series, No 691)

This is the O'Brien book. Herzog knows O'Brien and his work and I learned quite a bit from his scholarship.      
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(excerpt)

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Heberle, Mark A. 
A Trauma Artist: Tim O'Brien and the Fiction of Vietnam

A critical look at each of O'Brien's books based on the author's reading of the texts and interviews with O'Brien.  It looks very readable and thorough.

 

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My Vietnam Related Websites:
buttonWomen in Vietnam ~ Not only nurses served . . .
button Dusty's Home Page ~ Poetry and prose by a woman who was a nurse in Vietnam
button Emily's Poetry ~ By a Red Cross Donut Dolly
button Battle Dressing ~ The Journey of a Nurse in Vietnam
button Tim O'Brien's Home Page ~ National Book Award Winner and Americal Vet
button Shrapnel in the Heart ~ The most moving book you will read on Vietnam
button The Irish on the Wall ~ An effort to locate the Irish who died in Vietnam
button Project Hearts and Minds ~ Help put Viet Nam back together
button All About Vietnam   ~ An annotated bibliography of books about Vietnam for sale thru Amazon Worldwide!
button Photos from a Holts' Military History Tour ~ My trip to Vietnam, February 1998
button Illinois Vietnam Women's Memorial ~ Honoring all the Illinois women who served

My Other Websites:
Chicago Theatre Z - A ~ This is the best theater town in the country!
Writers Theatre of Chicago ~ And this is the best theater in town
Literature of the Korean War ~ Don't let the literature be forgotten
Poetry of the First World War ~ Owen, Hardy and others
Samuel Pepys ~ One of my favorite authors
Gil Thorp ~ THE Coach
Maybe Later . . . ~ My Creative Nonfiction
Chi-COW-go ~ Cowz plus Commentary (this used to be a cow town)
Graham Fulton, Scottish Poet ~ Charles Manson Auditions for the Monkees
Soccer Literature ~ I'm a fan and I read
O'Leary Lantern ~ Fire! Fire! Fire!

Other Important Websites:
Remember Oklahoma City ~ Civil Service and Military Employees will never forget

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Page last updated September 19, 2003