Reviews 2026

These are the books I read over the last year, and a bit of what I thought about them…

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk - Ben Fountain

Written with a quality voice, in a quick, quippy style; this story is about nothing. There is a sucking void at the heart of this story, pulling at the reader, drawing him into the quagmire. A soldier is home, after a terrifying fire fight on foreign soil that results in a couple of his brothers-in-arms getting killed. Upon returning home, he finds himself at odds with the seemingly enthusiastic reception of well-wishers, come to celebrate his status as a war hero. He’s invited to a game with a packed crowd—and yet the stadium is empty, aside from the modern fashion of the rich and poor, the brand-safe banalities of consumer culture, the snide sting of the occasional one-liner… There is nothing of value for a real human being.

Except Faison, an exquisite bit belonging to the Dallas Cowboy cheer squad. Aside from decent relationships with his platoon, Billy has the attention of young Faison, and he acts rather well toward the girl, despite his unhealthy condition. Indeed, she is his one shot at happiness, as a movie deal goes sour and his sister begs to let her wedge him between a rock and a hard place. But no, even the girl is stripped from us, as the last couple pages make it clear that the relationship failed almost before it began. The explanation? None is given. There is nothing but a desert of desolation before our young hero.

And so we send him off. Poor Billy goes back to the war, with expectations of nothing. Rather fitting for a boy that is fighting a war he can’t possibly fathom.

Starship Troopers - robert a. heinlein

This is not the movie by the same name. It moves slower and concentrates heavily on the philosophy and moralization of a futuristic utopian society; a society ruled by veterans, requiring service to participate. Still, there is a fair amount of conflict and danger, even when Johnny Rico is simply training; but the crux of the book is Heinlein’s glorification of military service, and the men and women that volunteer. Although it is a bit light on story, and I personally would argue against the adoption of this utopian system which is so intricately fleshed out; I find the matter is intriguingly argued and shall willingly subject myself to more of Heinlein’s work in the future—and is that not a curious thing? That I should so immediately oppose the author’s views, and yet also vow to read more of his works? But then, Heinlein is just that interesting, in my humble opinion.

Gai-Jin by James Clavell

Once again, Mr. Clavell wrote a book over a thousand pages long, and somehow he makes it feel too short. In my opinion, he could have continued for a couple hundred more. I wouldn’t have minded. Indeed, this might be as close as I can get to a complaint, for although the major issues are wrapped up satisfactorily; I so enjoyed the company of the characters that I felt we left their presence all too early. This was very much a “life goes on” sort of ending. Although I admit there were fireworks aplenty, there is still a natural disappointment when such a marvel ceases in this way, as there are new challenges awaiting our heroes and villains. Alas, it is a cheap price for such an ambitious and bountiful tale. Worst of all, I have now read all six of James Clavell’s epic Asian Saga, so I have nothing more to look forward to—though it is a considerable brag to say that I have experienced all six of this master’s fine works.

If you should wish to investigate this wonderful writer, I would suggest reading his works in the order they were published, and not the order in which “events happen.”