War in October

by Nicholas Hochstedler, Jacob Hochstedler (Illustrator)

Convinced that everyone is out to get him, an aging veteran embarks on a delusional search for freedom fueled by cheap beer, talking dogs, and a new sense of self-reliance.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2016

About the author

Nicholas Hochstedler is a writer of contemporary fiction living in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Indiana, his stories use nostalgia, poetic imagery, and realistic dialogue to show readers what life in The Hoosier State is like. His first book, War in October, was published in 2016. His second book, The Peony Sutra, was published on March 5th, 2024.

Third book, The Stars Above, is out now!!

Reviews

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great character study. The story flows out like threads from a web and leads you down many pathways, some confusing, some uneasy, some warm with memories; but, it never lets you feel comfortable. Most of the time, I was edgy reading this book, not quite comfortable with my place as an observer in Walter's world. I felt drawn in, watching things happen through Walter's warped perceptions, struggling along with him to discern reality. It was a great ride.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, I look forward to many other books from you. I would read this in the coffee shop down the street and it made my day many times.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong debut novel and a worthwhile read. Walter’s journey in War in October is, at heart, navigating the contradictions of our age: the clinical ordeals of medicine and psychotherapy that cause us to feel even more isolated, the shrinking globe that is nevertheless becoming more crowded, the paradoxical wars fought abroad when there’s more than enough suffering at home, and most of all, the complex relationship between adult children and aging parents. Witnessing Walter’s struggle reminds us that while there may not be any perfect solutions, the only wrong answer is inaction and acquiescence.

While it may be hard to love the crotchety anti-hero at first, we come to share his agony through his dragging daily therapy sessions and empathize with his terror and confusion during his nightly manic episodes. There is no doubt: the characters in War in October are in the middle of a mess, but each navigates the struggle of “one day at a time” in their own way. And, every once and a while, there are short bursts of calm. The prose is very tactile and descriptive, drawing lyrical details from the October setting. When Walter notices a certain tree or a breeze, we hope, for a second, that he will finally find peace, even though we know his inner harmony will no doubt be shattered again on the next page.

The novel was evocative of Phillip K. Dick to me, in its exploration of one man’s mental fortitude against a vast societal system. Unapologetic in its questioning, it’s a good read for burnt-out political minds of the post-Iraq era (most of us, honestly) and for anyone who’s actually stopped to think of “the little guys” across the world, and how our modern convenient lifestyle constantly tramples them. As a Hoosier, I also loved being transported back to the autumn days of rural Indiana: neither crisp nor bland, neither warm nor cold. Cheers!

[Syndi Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was the lucky winner of a copy of this novel through a goodreads win. it is written through the eyes of walter a veteran from the war, and his daughter who is trying to care for him. walter is very paranoid and is constantly thinking people in black suits and black impalas are out to get him. walter is on a downward spiral into madness and craves freedom from everything he feels is controlling him. it has a very unexpected ending. syndi

[Arla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too slow and repetitive