Yarbrough, Steve. Prisoners of war, a novel.YARBROUGH, Steve. Prisoners of war prisoners of war, in international law, persons captured by a belligerent while fighting in the military. International law includes rules on the treatment of prisoners of war but extends protection only to combatants. , a novel. Random House, Vintage. 287p. c2004. 1-4000-3062-5. $13.95. SA Loring, Mississippi in 1943 is the setting for this novel about several young men who struggle with their individual demons Demons See also devil; evil; ghosts; hell; spirits and spiritualism. ademonist one who denies the existence of the devil or demons. bogyism, bogeyism recognition of the existence of demons and goblins. against the backdrop of war and class in their hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" . Dan Timms eagerly awaits his 18th birthday. He can't wait for the draft board to send him to war, so that he can escape the dusty town and all of its dark memories. Dan's father had served in the military during WW I, and the reverberations of that terrible experience extended to his entire family. L.C., Dan's friend since childhood, wants to escape, too, but he has no desire to fight in the war. L.C. is black, and he knows that military service would mean working on the front lines, but not being given a gun to protect himself. He wants to head to Chicago and play blues guitar, but he knows the danger he'd face on the road; only in Loring is he safe from service, as Dan's uncle has paid off the draft board on his behalf. Marty Stark, who grew up with Dan, has returned from the war. For reasons no one knows, he has been reassigned to guarding German POWs who are participating in a work program on American farms. All three youth are haunted haunt v. haunt·ed, haunt·ing, haunts v.tr. 1. To inhabit, visit, or appear to in the form of a ghost or other supernatural being. 2. by their upbringing up·bring·ing n. The rearing and training received during childhood. upbringing Noun the education of a person during his or her formative years Noun 1. ; all three are changed by the sacrifices that are being demanded by their country. Steve Yarbrough's account of war is grim and gripping. Librarians considering this book for their collections should be aware that Yarbrough explores the convergence of sex and violence in sometimes-graphic ways. Scenes such as a boy contemplating a visit to a hooker or a soldier attempting to masturbate mas·tur·bate v. To perform an act of masturbation. to orgasm orgasm /or·gasm/ (or´gazm) the apex and culmination of sexual excitement.orgas´mic or·gasm n. may make this a controversial choice for some libraries. Still, war is dark and graphic and difficult, and Yarbrough may be commended for not sugarcoating it. Heidi Hauser Green, Pittsburgh, PA S--Recommended for senior high school students. A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries. |
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