Engagement

by Denise Gelberg

A glimpse into the complexities of the Iraq War as seen through the eyes of a conservative-leaning West Point cadet and his liberal fiancée. A sweeping and gripping novel that brings stark clarity to the reality of war...

On the last weekend in May, 2003, Tomas Jorgensen and Sunny Adler celebrate their respective graduations from the US Military Academy and Vassar. Just a week later, they're celebrating once again, this time their marriage at West Point's Jewish Chapel. They're full of joy and great expectations as they begin their lives together, he as a second lieutenant at Fort Drum and she as a teacher at a school serving military families. But before their first anniversary, they're tested in ways they never could have anticipated, as Tomas is deployed to fight in America’s war on terror.

This moving story of shattered illusions, courage and love in the face of suffering will resonate with readers from all points on the political spectrum, from those who opposed the war in Iraq, to the men and women who volunteered to serve.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2016

About the author

Denise Gelberg pivoted to writing fiction after a long career in teaching and research. Her first book, The "Business" of Reforming American Schools (SUNY Press) was based on her doctoral work at Cornell. As a meticulous researcher, the prospect of creating an entire world out of whole cloth seemed to verge on the impossible. But that's exactly what she did in her debut novel, FERTILITY, which tells the story of a sterile, workaholic attorney whose life is changed by a medical malpractice case. Her second novel, ENGAGEMENT, provides a window into the complexities of the Iraq War as seen through the eyes of a quixotic young second lieutenant and his far more dubious wife.

Call it a holdover from her researching days, Gelberg continues to do the legwork needed to get the facts right. Whether the story revolves around medical malpractice or military operations, her protagonists' trials mirror those of contemporary life.

Her latest book, Lucky Girl: A Novel, is based on the role luck plays in an individual's life, particularly how misfortune can sometimes lead a person down a better path.

Denise Gelberg is available to visit bookclubs, either virtually or in-person, if the distance from her Central NYS home isn't too great.

Readers can visit Denise Gelberg's Facebook page or her webpage - http://denisegelberg.forpr.net/. She can be followed on Twitter or contacted at denisegelberg@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Sharon Mier · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who lived through the Viet Nam war and for ANYONE interested in understanding more deeply the experience of war on those who serve and those they left behind, Denise Gelberg’s latest novel, takes the reader there. The author's impeccable research and her attention to detail capture the lives of West Point cadets, military families, and the struggles of young couples burdened by deployment.

To imply, that Engagement is just a military tale, would however, sell this novel short. As Gelberg notes at the beginning of her novel, the term engagement can mean: “Emotional involvement or commitment, a betrothal, a promise to wed, or a hostile encounter between military forces“. I would add that this compelling and beautifully constructed novel engages the reader in the struggles that bring individuals to the brink of despair, and to the simple, yet profound, humanity of others who help them survive.

[Susan Sarabasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written accounting of two people, their love, their families and their engagement with the US Army and Iraq. Told from the perspective of the wife who stays stateside and teaches children from Fort Drum and from the husband who graduates from West Point and leads a platoon through the horrors of our so-called peace keeping in Iraq.

[Harry Rothmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An 'engaging' historical-fiction novel about two peoples' military life and service during wartime. Ms Gelberg amazingly captures the challenges facing a young man and woman starting their lives together while facing the ordeals of military service. Without having first hand knowledge of the military life, but meticulously and genuinely researching what military men, women and families go through in wartime, the author is able to recreate the struggles, emotions and motivations that propel people forward despite the hardships and dangers of their service to the nation. Of particular note, is her recreation of the struggles and sacrifices of the women and children who wait for and worry about the safety of their spouse or father or mother in remote hostile areas, while having to support and sustain their own lives at home. This book is a must read for anyone contemplating military service, or for anyone who wants to know the sacrifices and struggles of our military families today.

[Nancy Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engagement kept me up late reading; I simply did not want to put it down. This is the story of war told from the viewpoint of a soldier and those loved ones left at home to carry on in his absence. The war is Iraq is recent enough to make us think about war in a whole new way. We see the effects of war on the whole family, and we get the opinions of those who are not convinced of the necessity of this war.The book is well-researched, well-written, and very engaging.
I received my copy free through Goodreads.

[Joan Cappione · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her second novel, Engagement, Denise Gelberg once again showcases her incredible gift for storytelling. She weaves the complexities of the Iraqi War with a beautiful romantic relationship in such a way that the reader experiences a full range of human emotions. Gelberg’s attention to the intimate details in the day-to-day lives of both Tomas and Sunny make this an intense and vivid book that is hard to put down.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up Engagement on the strength of Gelberg’s Fertility and then, I put it down, and put it down again, feeling unable to stay with Tomas, a West Point military cadet, and Sunny, his new wife. My first pact with a book is that it hold my attention. Whatever the explanation for my absence of interest, I could not stay the course so I put the book aside but could not put my curiosity to rest.

Months later I cracked the book open again. At page 140, much to my relief, things picked up and soon I was no longer wanting to put the book down. I am glad I picked it up again for once it gets going it is a rewarding read, but I can’t help but think about the first chapters when I could not get, forgive the pun, engaged. Gelberg devoted about 16 chapters to laying a foundation for Tomas, Sunny and incidental characters but she is at her best when she is in the thick of action. All writers have their special dish that they bring to the table and Gelberg’s, in my view, is fast-paced action.

Engagement presents idealistic young soldiers trying to maintain their beliefs in the midst of the hellish reality of modern war. Their families become, in a sense, undeployed warriors lacking training and coping as best they can with the uncertainty of each day. For the families, there is no emotional deadening, no demilitarized zone. Safe in their beds, they struggle with fearful possibilities. The political mishmash of conflict resolution and coalition forces is not addressed; the book takes place on the flesh and blood level.

I now wonder if the necessary backstory (concerning initiation, romance and commitment) may have been better served in a prologue or even a different volume. These are the thoughts of a reader aware that I may have missed the whole tale because the first part unfolded so slowly. I wanted the boots on the ground a bit earlier.

[Fay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to thank Denise Gelberg and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Engagement."

I was drawn to this book because it was a female author writing about a military life. I was eager to support a woman writing in this genre and get her perspective. I gave it two stars because I was disappointed how patriarchal every marriage/relationship was in this book. The main characters, both sets of parents, and even the relationship between the two friends. In a scene with one of the parents the academic father gets home from work, pours himself wine, sits down to read, while the caregiver mother gets dinner ready. Of the two friends who hook up the guys is a computer scientist making lots of money while the girls is a English lit major living with her parents. I found all if this continually hard to swallow.

Even though this book dealt with some heavy issues, death, family discord, loneliness, it all had a very "Leave it to Beaver" feel. That's the best way I can describe it.

The author did do a nice job weaving historical events and the effects on the main characters into the story line. She also did a nice job showing how in an optimist young person can wind up with a very different life than he/she imagined. The gas-lighting steps that lead one there.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is very unfamiliar with the military life-style and wants an easy introduction before digging deeper.

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway and I am under no obligation to leave a review and do so voluntarily

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engagement, the second novel by Denise Gelberg, captures the joys and sorrows of Tomas Jorgensen and Sunny Adler as they meld their lives together as a newlywed, loving couple. The exacting details and realistic dialogue of their everyday life reveal their complex, ongoing relationship. We grow to understand the basis of Tomas’ conservative views and his life-time ambition to serve his country, starting with his 4 years at West Point Academy and leading to his exemplary service in Baghdad during the beginning stages of the War in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Sunny’s skill and commitment to teaching young children reveal her compassion and intuitive ability to respond to challenging situations in kind, intelligent and effective ways. We also see how she attempts to reconcile her liberal views with her husband’s conservative outlook while the couple remain devoted to one another.
In addition to the dynamics of Tomas’ and Sunny’s relationship with family and friends, the challenges and sacrifices of army life, and the demands of elementary school teaching, the traditions and values of contemporary American Judaism are sensitively and informatively delved into by Gelberg.
As the story progresses, the reader increasingly becomes engrossed in the lives of the characters. I, for one, became emotionally involved in this realistic and moving novel. Gelberg’s book truly engages the reader!

[Ian Yarington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been curious about war but it's almost always been historically speaking. The Iraq war is a little close to home being that it was my generation was between 18 and 30 when it started and I watched it all unfold so I sort of knew about it already. What I enjoyed about the book is the look into how it effected those involved, not the over arching war in general, and specifically what I like is the look at those that serve but also those that stay at home and have loved ones gone. I think Gelberg is great at capturing emotions and making these characters relateable. I have a lot of respect for veterans and this book is just another good example of why we should appreciate those that support them as well.

[Bernice Gelberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book handles a very tough topic with knowledge, love and compassion. It is a tribute to the enlisted men and women and their families who sacrifice so much. A truly engaging read.

[Elsa LaVita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coming of age story showcases the layered costs of modern war on an intimate level. The protagonists are richly brought to life, taking the reader along with them on their shared and yet distinctly separate journeys to an adulthood that is jarringly real. These journeys capture a uniquely challenging segment of American history through a fascinating lens.

[Gabrielle Orbaek White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and realistic story of a young couple and their families challenged by the realities of war. Very well researched - the book successfully imparted the unique insight of what it's like to be a soldier "inside and outside the wire." For someone who generally opposes war of any kind, it was a new, nuanced perspective that I haven't found anywhere else. An important read that helped ground me, particularly during these divided and polarized political times.

[K Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me much to think about. It put me in Iraq in a way news broadcasts and papers had not. The family and friends relationships were strong. The story was compelling and moving.