What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding David
When aimless, nineteen-year-old boyhood friends catch war fever at the height of the Vietnam conflict, they dream of adventure, glory and the romance of victory. Within weeks of beginning their combat tour as U.S. Marines, one is dead, a hero who has selflessly sacrificed his life to save his friend. Grievously wounded, the comatose survivor fights to stay alive for the girl they both loved. “Finding David” is the touching story of young, unfinished lives, unquenchable love, broken hearts and haunted minds, and an enduring devotion to “Semper Fi” — always faithful.Although “Finding David” is a work of fiction, it is based on a war that fifty years later is still a source of pain that changed America forever. For many of those who fought the battles of Vietnam and returned to a deeply divided country, the scars of their service are often unhealed and untreated. It was in the wake of Vietnam that we began to recognize and confront one of war’s most horrific Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. “Finding David” is a story dedicated to a nineteen-year-old friend and classmate, David Michael Kirk, who survived just fifty-five days in the jungles of Vietnam as a U.S. Marine, in the hope that it helps to continue to raise awareness of the desperate need for greater efforts to help those suffering from PTSD.
388 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2013
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 9, 2016
The Vietnam war, more than anything in recent memory, divided our country and affected a generation of young people. As Tommy DiMarco says, "a half million kids my age were dancing half-naked in the mud at Woodstock, I was fighting for my life in a VA hospital."
But "Finding David" isn't a book that debates the Vietnam war, it doesn't cast blame nor does it wrap itself in self righteous patriotism. Because Finding David isn't about the war in Vietnam...it is, though, a fitting tribute to the young men who fought there, many of whom came home to that divided nation, scarred, scared, grossly unappreciated and greatly misunderstood. Men who fought in America's most unpopular conflict and too often found themselves abandoned by the country and the people they had served.
That, on one level, is F. Mark Granato's novel. And "Finding David" captures that experience through Tommy DiMarco's battle in Nam and his ongoing struggles back in The States with horrifying reality, touching dignity and genuine empathy.
But that is only one aspect of Granato's remarkable book. Here, too, is a truly moving story of friendship, brotherhood, love, loyalty and family. Through realistic, multi-dimensional characters, this author takes the reader beyond Tommy's battle to readjust and gives us a heartwarming tale of childhood friendships, romance and a slice of 1950's, 60's and 70's life.
I was never in a war, hence I am no authority on the authenticity of the conflicts related in Finding David. I have no experience that could ever compare to what Tommy lives, neither on the battlefield nor in his long road to recovery. But, that being said, perhaps it is testimony to Granato's writing...he was able to take me, a naive civilian, from the heat and desperation of Vietnam to an understaffed VA hospital, to the streets where Tommy and David grew up.
Please, do not be off-put by the notion that this is a book about war. Yes, there are scenes, frightening ones, of bloody armed conflict, but that is not where the heart of "Finding David" lies. "Finding David" traces love, loss and rebuilding. It is a story of a friendship we all would treasure, of family bonds that are rich and deep. It is a story of courage and strength, and ultimately forces the characters as well as the reader to examine how we cope with our perception of life and death...what we hold on to and when to let go.
But "Finding David" isn't a book that debates the Vietnam war, it doesn't cast blame nor does it wrap itself in self righteous patriotism. Because Finding David isn't about the war in Vietnam...it is, though, a fitting tribute to the young men who fought there, many of whom came home to that divided nation, scarred, scared, grossly unappreciated and greatly misunderstood. Men who fought in America's most unpopular conflict and too often found themselves abandoned by the country and the people they had served.
That, on one level, is F. Mark Granato's novel. And "Finding David" captures that experience through Tommy DiMarco's battle in Nam and his ongoing struggles back in The States with horrifying reality, touching dignity and genuine empathy.
But that is only one aspect of Granato's remarkable book. Here, too, is a truly moving story of friendship, brotherhood, love, loyalty and family. Through realistic, multi-dimensional characters, this author takes the reader beyond Tommy's battle to readjust and gives us a heartwarming tale of childhood friendships, romance and a slice of 1950's, 60's and 70's life.
I was never in a war, hence I am no authority on the authenticity of the conflicts related in Finding David. I have no experience that could ever compare to what Tommy lives, neither on the battlefield nor in his long road to recovery. But, that being said, perhaps it is testimony to Granato's writing...he was able to take me, a naive civilian, from the heat and desperation of Vietnam to an understaffed VA hospital, to the streets where Tommy and David grew up.
Please, do not be off-put by the notion that this is a book about war. Yes, there are scenes, frightening ones, of bloody armed conflict, but that is not where the heart of "Finding David" lies. "Finding David" traces love, loss and rebuilding. It is a story of a friendship we all would treasure, of family bonds that are rich and deep. It is a story of courage and strength, and ultimately forces the characters as well as the reader to examine how we cope with our perception of life and death...what we hold on to and when to let go.
February 13, 2013
This was a compelling story of a young marine returning from Vietnam. Opened my eyes to what many those returning home must have experienced. It was also a touching love story, that made me cry more than once. The setting in the southend of Hartford brought back familiar memories. I would recommend this book.
November 24, 2013
Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in American Fiction this story by author F. Mark Granato is the compelling story of Post Traumatic Stress. The young soldier affected is fresh back from Viet Nam and his agony will leave the reader asking the question of why we were even there. The human spirit is touched deeply and profoundly. A must read for all.
May 31, 2014
Wonderful
I started reading and the book got better. It was difficult to put down.Having been in this era of life myself,I could relate to the horrible war these guys fought in. It was indeed then and now, a war most unpopular of all wars! To this day, many of the survivors are only surviving!
I started reading and the book got better. It was difficult to put down.Having been in this era of life myself,I could relate to the horrible war these guys fought in. It was indeed then and now, a war most unpopular of all wars! To this day, many of the survivors are only surviving!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews