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Sweden
Asian & Asian American Studies. It's 1968. As war rages in Vietnam, a group of American deserters holed up in Japan plot their escape with help from local peace activists. Their destination: Sweden.
Based on true events, SWEDEN takes readers on an exhilarating journey from the killing fields of Vietnam to a fogbound fishing port on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, with stops along the way at a hippie commune in Japan's subtropical south and a student-occupied university in Tokyo. SWEDEN is your passport to discover a part of American history you never knew.
Based on true events, SWEDEN takes readers on an exhilarating journey from the killing fields of Vietnam to a fogbound fishing port on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, with stops along the way at a hippie commune in Japan's subtropical south and a student-occupied university in Tokyo. SWEDEN is your passport to discover a part of American history you never knew.
- GenresHistory
327 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Turner
1 book10 followersMatthew Turner was born in Greytown, New Zealand in 1961. After graduating from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, he spent a year studying Japanese language and culture at Nagoya University as a Japanese Government (Monbusho) Scholar. He was later awarded a second Monbusho Scholarship to do postgraduate research at Keio University. He has lived, worked, and traveled widely in Japan.
In 2007, inspired by the landscape prints of the ukiyo-e artist Ando Hiroshige, he walked from Kyoto to Tokyo along the ancient Nakasendo trail, a distance of more than 330 miles. He occasionally writes about his travels on foot and other miscellaneous topics at http://thewalkingfool.blogspot.co.nz.
Matthew Turner lives with his wife in Christchurch, where he works as a writer and translator. Sweden is his first novel.
In 2007, inspired by the landscape prints of the ukiyo-e artist Ando Hiroshige, he walked from Kyoto to Tokyo along the ancient Nakasendo trail, a distance of more than 330 miles. He occasionally writes about his travels on foot and other miscellaneous topics at http://thewalkingfool.blogspot.co.nz.
Matthew Turner lives with his wife in Christchurch, where he works as a writer and translator. Sweden is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 24, 2018
Ένα από τα πιο αξιόλογα δείγματα ιστορικής φαντασίας, άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένο με την ιστορική πραγματικότητα της δεκαετίας του '60. Μυθιστόρημα με καλογραμμένους χαρακτήρες κι αμείωτη δράση, κύριο θέμα του οποίου είναι οι λιποτάκτες κατά τον πόλεμο στο Βιετνάμ, οι οποίοι αγγίζουν τους 503.926 στα έτη 1966-1973, οπότε κι οι βάσεις των Αμερικανών εγκατέλειψαν τον πόλεμο. Με τα λόγια του ίδιου του συγγραφέα,
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
More U.S. military personnel deserted during the Vietnam War than in any other war in modern American military history.Το δύσκολο αυτό ζήτημα ο συγγραφέας το χειρίζεται, το αντιμετωπίζει και το διερευνά με αξιοσημείωτη ευαισθησία, με την πρόζα να θυμίζει βετεράνου λογοτέχνη κι όχι πρωτο-εμφανιζόμενου.
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 5, 2018
Full review: https://swiftcoffee.blog/2018/08/04/s...
Funny thing is, the cover got my attention because of the title, 'Sweden'. Already while reading the description I got to know that this title is more of a symbol, a promise, and the novel takes place in Japan, but it still sounded interesting, so I decided to read it.
I have to say I wasn't disappointed! This was a very original story set during the Vietnam War, but instead of concentrating on the U. S., it took place in Japan. I found it a little hard to follow all the point of views and especially the time lines, but all in all I could understand everything, and I found this book very interesting. It showed several people's take on the events and the war, and I liked it very much. The reader gets to see very different people with very different personalities, situations and backgrounds react to the same things, and I think that's awesome! We see what it's all like for deserters and activists as well. Showing that many of the soldiers were basically kids (18, 19 year-olds) is a huge plus, and it wasn't something just written down, all the things they did and the way they behaved demonstrated it as well. I loved to get a picture of that time's Japan, too. I found the endings, the two epilogues a bit awkward, but all in all this was a well-written, complete and interesting story.
If the author writes more books, I'll be there to read them!
Funny thing is, the cover got my attention because of the title, 'Sweden'. Already while reading the description I got to know that this title is more of a symbol, a promise, and the novel takes place in Japan, but it still sounded interesting, so I decided to read it.
I have to say I wasn't disappointed! This was a very original story set during the Vietnam War, but instead of concentrating on the U. S., it took place in Japan. I found it a little hard to follow all the point of views and especially the time lines, but all in all I could understand everything, and I found this book very interesting. It showed several people's take on the events and the war, and I liked it very much. The reader gets to see very different people with very different personalities, situations and backgrounds react to the same things, and I think that's awesome! We see what it's all like for deserters and activists as well. Showing that many of the soldiers were basically kids (18, 19 year-olds) is a huge plus, and it wasn't something just written down, all the things they did and the way they behaved demonstrated it as well. I loved to get a picture of that time's Japan, too. I found the endings, the two epilogues a bit awkward, but all in all this was a well-written, complete and interesting story.
If the author writes more books, I'll be there to read them!
July 20, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book (from NetGalley). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Though I generally prefer historical fiction, this novel was outside my usual interests. It was certainly an interesting book, based on some real events. I found it valuable in an eye-opening sort of way. The plot trailed a natural course based on the history of actual Vietnam War deserters. The novel was a little hard for me to follow at first--with so many characters introduced within a short time. (I think I would have liked more of the deserters depicted from their own points of view, however.) I know this was certainly a difficult topic to address, with many different angles on the subject, and so I believe it was done in what was maybe the clearest way possible.
Though I generally prefer historical fiction, this novel was outside my usual interests. It was certainly an interesting book, based on some real events. I found it valuable in an eye-opening sort of way. The plot trailed a natural course based on the history of actual Vietnam War deserters. The novel was a little hard for me to follow at first--with so many characters introduced within a short time. (I think I would have liked more of the deserters depicted from their own points of view, however.) I know this was certainly a difficult topic to address, with many different angles on the subject, and so I believe it was done in what was maybe the clearest way possible.
August 23, 2018
2.5 stars
I hate that I'm giving such a low review for this book because I loved the unique premise and how it gave a fresh perspective on the Vietnam War. I also appreciate the author's use of purposeful description. I saw that metaphor and allegory in it most of the time he was using it and I'm happy to read that in a contemporary novel.
However, the story dragged and I had a hard time pushing myself to keep reading it. Perhaps if I had more background knowledge in Japanese culture or the Vietnam war or military culture, I would know when we were on the verge of a shift. As it happens, I have a little knowledge of Japanese culture and I was interested in building on it. Unfortunately, I felt like I had to wait a lot before story elements moved along. I thought the character focuses were interesting (Harper was my favorite and he felt the most real), things just stalled out for me.
I would definitely try another book from the same author in the future. As I said, I liked his writing style and this unique angle. The story just needed to be a little stickier.
I hate that I'm giving such a low review for this book because I loved the unique premise and how it gave a fresh perspective on the Vietnam War. I also appreciate the author's use of purposeful description. I saw that metaphor and allegory in it most of the time he was using it and I'm happy to read that in a contemporary novel.
However, the story dragged and I had a hard time pushing myself to keep reading it. Perhaps if I had more background knowledge in Japanese culture or the Vietnam war or military culture, I would know when we were on the verge of a shift. As it happens, I have a little knowledge of Japanese culture and I was interested in building on it. Unfortunately, I felt like I had to wait a lot before story elements moved along. I thought the character focuses were interesting (Harper was my favorite and he felt the most real), things just stalled out for me.
I would definitely try another book from the same author in the future. As I said, I liked his writing style and this unique angle. The story just needed to be a little stickier.
August 8, 2018
My review is forthcoming in November for the Historical Novel Society.
August 7, 2018
Set in the midst of the Vietnam War, Sweden is a captivating tale about war heroes deserting their post in hopes of escaping the front lines. Alternating storylines between two military members, Sweden chronicles their journey from the missions that devastated them to their recovery abroad to their decision to desert the armed forces. Flynn and Harper couldn’t be more different from the midwestern farm boy to the African American tough guy, but share one common goal- freedom.
Sweden is a story full of suspense, but also pulled at my heartstrings. The Vietnam War is not one I have a huge amount of knowledge about, though I did have a background on the deserters. It is heartbreaking to me to learn how the wounded Veterans were treated- being forced to to back to eat instead of allowing them the option of going home. At one point, when I read a veteran rubbed his urine on his healing leg wound so they would amputate because that was his only chance of being released, I actually cried.
Turner’s ability to take true historical events and spin a vivid story of two young heroes is pure talent. Both Flynn and Harper were such believable characters who faced such physical and emotional challenges that by the end of the story not only was I rooting for them, but I was ready to welcome them home with a great big hug.
Sweden is a story full of suspense, but also pulled at my heartstrings. The Vietnam War is not one I have a huge amount of knowledge about, though I did have a background on the deserters. It is heartbreaking to me to learn how the wounded Veterans were treated- being forced to to back to eat instead of allowing them the option of going home. At one point, when I read a veteran rubbed his urine on his healing leg wound so they would amputate because that was his only chance of being released, I actually cried.
Turner’s ability to take true historical events and spin a vivid story of two young heroes is pure talent. Both Flynn and Harper were such believable characters who faced such physical and emotional challenges that by the end of the story not only was I rooting for them, but I was ready to welcome them home with a great big hug.
July 30, 2018
Here's a translation of the review left by Sophie, a Goodreads member, from July 24. She gave the book 4/5 stars:
One of the most remarkable examples of historical fiction; indissolubly linked to the historical reality of the 1960s. A novel with fleshed out characters and undiminished action, the main subject of which is the deserters of the Vietnam was, which reach 503,926 in the years 1966-1973. In the words of the author himself: "More U.S. military personnel deserted during the Vietnam War than in any other war in modern American military history." The author handles and explores this difficult issue with admirable sensitivity, while the prose is both compelling and worthy of "veteran" writers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One of the most remarkable examples of historical fiction; indissolubly linked to the historical reality of the 1960s. A novel with fleshed out characters and undiminished action, the main subject of which is the deserters of the Vietnam was, which reach 503,926 in the years 1966-1973. In the words of the author himself: "More U.S. military personnel deserted during the Vietnam War than in any other war in modern American military history." The author handles and explores this difficult issue with admirable sensitivity, while the prose is both compelling and worthy of "veteran" writers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 10, 2018
A historical fiction novel set in 1968 Japan that follows US War deserters as they attempt to escape to Sweden.
Wonderful characters and a quick, compelling plot.
Wonderful characters and a quick, compelling plot.
November 14, 2018
This book, written as historical fiction, offers a mostly unknown story of deserters from the Vietnam War and their Japanese peace activist guides committed to help them get out of Japan and escape to Sweden. I found the story of their perilous efforts to escape both the Japanese police and the US military fascinating. I was a young adult at the time of the Vietnam War but the true experiences described in this book were unique and totally new to me. The characters were realistic and the descriptions of events in both Japan and the US seemed historically accurate.
My criticism of the book is that it moved too slowly with more description than necessary of the deserters’ experiences in the Japanese culture and environment. I found myself often bored and skipping paragraphs to move the story along. In addition, the introduction of characters at the beginning of the book was confusing to me. Some serious editing to address these issues would make this a compelling and vivid story.
My criticism of the book is that it moved too slowly with more description than necessary of the deserters’ experiences in the Japanese culture and environment. I found myself often bored and skipping paragraphs to move the story along. In addition, the introduction of characters at the beginning of the book was confusing to me. Some serious editing to address these issues would make this a compelling and vivid story.
June 25, 2019
Japan during the Viet Nam War, wasn't what I edxpected.
June 6, 2020
Well written but just didn't connect with the characters. Storyline was sound but I found myself not caring what happened so did not get to end.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews