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The Nam Shadow
From the author of the bestselling novel The Nam Legacy comes The Nam Shadow.
To carefree, naive, young soldier Terry Edwards, life’s an adventure. But how easy is it to cope with the extreme fear and intense emotions that come with the war in Vietnam, when you know life balances on the accuracy of a bullet in meeting its target? Sometimes, taking chances is the only way to stay alive.
For combat photographer Frankie Proctor, every young soldier in Vietnam has a story to tell. The problem is, can she tell it before the war claims them? Or her? Her days are filled with bloodshed and death. Sometimes, the only way to cope is to grab any opportunity you can to celebrate that you're still alive.
Destined to belong to a brotherhood of men who live in the shadow of Nam, Terry finds himself fighting a war he never saw coming. As Vietnam eats away at him from the inside, can he outrun the shadow? Can Frankie?
"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." - Norman Cousins
The Nam Shadow is Terry’s story.
To carefree, naive, young soldier Terry Edwards, life’s an adventure. But how easy is it to cope with the extreme fear and intense emotions that come with the war in Vietnam, when you know life balances on the accuracy of a bullet in meeting its target? Sometimes, taking chances is the only way to stay alive.
For combat photographer Frankie Proctor, every young soldier in Vietnam has a story to tell. The problem is, can she tell it before the war claims them? Or her? Her days are filled with bloodshed and death. Sometimes, the only way to cope is to grab any opportunity you can to celebrate that you're still alive.
Destined to belong to a brotherhood of men who live in the shadow of Nam, Terry finds himself fighting a war he never saw coming. As Vietnam eats away at him from the inside, can he outrun the shadow? Can Frankie?
"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." - Norman Cousins
The Nam Shadow is Terry’s story.
333 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2018
16 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 10, 2018
I have just finished The Nam Shadow and I have to say I was have blown away. I loved The Nam Legacy, but this was just wow, what an amazing story. I absolutely loved reading Terry's story, I thought he was the best friend a person could have in the first book, but he was so much more. And Frankie, she was awesome, what a character. The relationship between Terry and Frankie was so powerful and important, especially during those times in Vietnam and I was kept hoping until the end that they would both get a happy ending. Carole Brungar took me back into that war zone, back into everything those boys and Frankie went through and ripped my heart out several times.
This story covers some important issues such as PTSD and the medical issues that the majority of Vietnam Vets and their children have suffered from due to Agent Orange issues that were denied for many years.
An incredible and moving story that I highly recommend.
This story covers some important issues such as PTSD and the medical issues that the majority of Vietnam Vets and their children have suffered from due to Agent Orange issues that were denied for many years.
An incredible and moving story that I highly recommend.
April 12, 2022
I read this book over Christmas. What a yarn that Carole wrote. It only seems like yesterday as she pulled me back to the war of the 1960s 70s. Carole wove a credible story and was such an enjoyable read.
It brought back memories of that time with mates who came back shattered, sick from agent orange, and the government of that time trying to sweep it under the carpet.
A well thought out book and even though it was fiction, it really could have been a fact.
Well done Carole Brunger, you drew me into the story and could not put it down. Now I'm looking for more books from a excellent author.
It brought back memories of that time with mates who came back shattered, sick from agent orange, and the government of that time trying to sweep it under the carpet.
A well thought out book and even though it was fiction, it really could have been a fact.
Well done Carole Brunger, you drew me into the story and could not put it down. Now I'm looking for more books from a excellent author.
September 28, 2025
Loved it! A Vietnam war story told from the point of view of a soldier & photographer, both from NZ. A love story but highlights serious issues like PTSD & the ongoing health issues soldiers faced for years following the war. Written by a kiwi, fab read.
November 24, 2018
The story of Terry follows on from Carole's earlier book, The Nam Legacy.
Carole has a gift of bringing the reader into the story. Terry's story and experiences in Viet Nam captivates the reader; you are also introduced to Frankie, a young woman photographer determined to humanise the effects war was having not only on the soliders, but the Viet Nam community. The journey Terry and Frankie becomes intertwined. What I loved too, was how Carole managed to tell you some of the experiences from Terry's perspective, where you had previously experienced these through Jack's perspective in The Nam Legacy (very clever writing). This is a story that tells you about the human effects of agent orange, not just during their active service, but how it affected not just the soldiers health, but also their future families.
The Nam Shadow is a story that will captivate your reading senses, and remain in your memory long after you have finished the book.
Carole has a gift of bringing the reader into the story. Terry's story and experiences in Viet Nam captivates the reader; you are also introduced to Frankie, a young woman photographer determined to humanise the effects war was having not only on the soliders, but the Viet Nam community. The journey Terry and Frankie becomes intertwined. What I loved too, was how Carole managed to tell you some of the experiences from Terry's perspective, where you had previously experienced these through Jack's perspective in The Nam Legacy (very clever writing). This is a story that tells you about the human effects of agent orange, not just during their active service, but how it affected not just the soldiers health, but also their future families.
The Nam Shadow is a story that will captivate your reading senses, and remain in your memory long after you have finished the book.
November 16, 2018
Great things come to those who wait. The sequel to The Nam Legacy has landed! What a great read, I couldn't put it down. I live at Foxton Beach and have lived in the Manawatu District most of my life so I found it very exciting and interesting when many places I know are mentioned. Although it would apply to all small town New Zealand in the 60s. The Nam Shadow is a roller coaster read. It plays with your emotions. Heart pumping reading in the parts where Jack and Terry and Frankie, a woman combat photographer, are in the jungle fighting. Carole's research and passion on The Vietnam War, Agent Orange and PTSD gives you a true understanding on what happened in that war and the the after effects when the veterans returned home. Frankie and Terry are my favourite characters in this book. Highly recommend. Can't wait for the next book. Cheers Barb J
November 11, 2018
I think Carole took a lot of guts to write novels about Vietnam, considering how many view the war and all the issues surrounding it. It is often misunderstood and unspoken about. In her first book, The Nam Legacy, Terry and Jack are two mates, from small town New Zealand, joining the army, wanting adventure .. like many other young men. This second novel beefs out the Nam experience, the horror of it, the people, the places, the smell. It has you worried for Terry and Frankie (a young woman works on a newspaper, who madly keenly wanted to get to Vietnam for photo journalism)..I found myself willing and wishing for them be safe, relieved when they were, knowing there would be many more times they would be in danger. The story is also about home, post war. Can't be the same as how they left their homes .. because they are not the same.
The author wants to make people more aware of PTSD .. She's researched well ... although a novel I think she gets her message across well and I recommend it with a huge thumbs up.
The author wants to make people more aware of PTSD .. She's researched well ... although a novel I think she gets her message across well and I recommend it with a huge thumbs up.
February 11, 2022
Wow… blown away by this author’s work. I’ve never been a fan of war stories, but this incredible story based for the most part in Vietnam, had me hooked right from the start. While the characters are fictitious, they are brought to life by the the imagery this author has created. Terry and Frankie’s story is poignant… will their love survive the war? Based on actual events in Vietnam during the sixties this is a lesson in history, and I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a definite 5 stars from me!!
November 14, 2018
Terry "Romeo" Edwards couldn’t wait to go to war. After all, home didn't feel like home anymore, with his mother shacking up with the lodger, and his best mate engaged to the very girl Terry dreamed about when alone at night in his sleep-out. At least in Vietnam, he'd be doing something exciting. Or so he thought.
Copper hair, freckled faced Frankie Procter—a freelance photographer out to prove herself in an often male dominated world—couldn't wait to go either, but for very different reasons. Frankie wanted to leave her mark, and to get the truth out to those who were willing to acknowledge it.
The Nam Shadow is a richly written and often, unsettling journey into the Vietnam War as it follows Terry and Frankie playing their part in a game of propaganda, love, and loss. Throughout the book, colorful imaginary leaps off the page with insight and a well-researched story line into both the war, and the Agent Orange fiasco. Scene after scene, Ms Brungar takes you right into the action. The smells, the heat, and the acute loneliness that engulfs those poor souls who have experienced living and fighting in a war zone, are laid out in front of you as you devour every page.
I especially loved Frankie’s character. What a fine person she was, and after reading the Nam Legacy, I was expecting Terry to be a bit of a lightweight, but he was no such thing. Both characters are richly portrayed, and the author did them great justice.
The Nam Shadow won't disappoint. It's an insightful five star read that you won’t want to put down. And after you're done, the story will stay with you for a long time. The perfect companion novel to The Nam Legacy.
Copper hair, freckled faced Frankie Procter—a freelance photographer out to prove herself in an often male dominated world—couldn't wait to go either, but for very different reasons. Frankie wanted to leave her mark, and to get the truth out to those who were willing to acknowledge it.
The Nam Shadow is a richly written and often, unsettling journey into the Vietnam War as it follows Terry and Frankie playing their part in a game of propaganda, love, and loss. Throughout the book, colorful imaginary leaps off the page with insight and a well-researched story line into both the war, and the Agent Orange fiasco. Scene after scene, Ms Brungar takes you right into the action. The smells, the heat, and the acute loneliness that engulfs those poor souls who have experienced living and fighting in a war zone, are laid out in front of you as you devour every page.
I especially loved Frankie’s character. What a fine person she was, and after reading the Nam Legacy, I was expecting Terry to be a bit of a lightweight, but he was no such thing. Both characters are richly portrayed, and the author did them great justice.
The Nam Shadow won't disappoint. It's an insightful five star read that you won’t want to put down. And after you're done, the story will stay with you for a long time. The perfect companion novel to The Nam Legacy.
November 13, 2018
Loved it! I didn't put it down and read the whole book in one day. It is not often I come across a story that interests me in this way. It's a story of love, it's a story of loss. It's a story of resilience in a time of utter chaos and horror in a conflict that left millions of people homeless, without loved ones and wondering what the purpose of the war, really was.
Carol has an easy style of writing and crafted scenes so well I cried, felt the fear and the horror, but then laughed and reveled in the joy.
It's a great read and one that can easily be picked up more than once and enjoyed again.
Carol has an easy style of writing and crafted scenes so well I cried, felt the fear and the horror, but then laughed and reveled in the joy.
It's a great read and one that can easily be picked up more than once and enjoyed again.
April 18, 2019
I'm new to this era of historical fiction. Most of what I read has been WWII era and older and only lately am I starting to read the era of Vietnam.
The Nam Shadow is a second in a series, but the first read for me. This did not take away from the story, as it is a new story all on its own. The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me, but it quickly ramped up from there, taking on the journey to Saigon and beyond with Frankie and Terry. Told in dual timelines, you follow them on their separate quests during, and after, the war.
Beginning as young, thirsty twenty-somethings and ending in the golden years, The Nam Shadow never loses its hold on you. I personally read this in one day. Definitely recommend.
The Nam Shadow is a second in a series, but the first read for me. This did not take away from the story, as it is a new story all on its own. The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me, but it quickly ramped up from there, taking on the journey to Saigon and beyond with Frankie and Terry. Told in dual timelines, you follow them on their separate quests during, and after, the war.
Beginning as young, thirsty twenty-somethings and ending in the golden years, The Nam Shadow never loses its hold on you. I personally read this in one day. Definitely recommend.
November 11, 2018
Another thought provoking tug on the heartstrings story by Carole.....I loved this book maybe more than the Nam Legacy. Nam Shadow very much complemented Nam Legacy however you could read it on its own and you wouldn't feel like you missed anything. Absolutely loved the main characters and my heart went out to them and what they went through. To know that in real life so many soldiers and their families suffered as they did in the book just makes the book even more powerful and emotional.
November 17, 2018
Carole did such an amazing job writing The Nam Shadow - I loved how it carried straight on from The Nam Legacy. Having read that great novel I was very curious how the next one was going to go and she blew me away. It is a very emotional story, love, laughter, sorrow and gave me a whole insite into the Nam War. A novel you truely cannot put down. A must read.
Well done Carole looking forward to your next one.
Well done Carole looking forward to your next one.
January 10, 2021
Another great read and a sequel to the Nam Legacy. In this book we are introduced to Terrys story. Many of my generation have no idea what veterans of the vietnam war have had to endure throughout their lives. Caroles books have been quite the eye opener for me. They also transport me back to a time when my parents would have been a similar age to the main characters. I find the characters so relatable and I throughrally enjoy reading their unforgettable love stories. I am hooked!!!
December 21, 2022
Carole Brungar uses words that bring her characters, events and the places around them, visually alive. Tension, fear, questions, bravery, uncertainty, loss, love and so much more triump throughout. THE NAM SHADOW took me to life there; it brought smiles and tears, recognition in what felt like my own experiences at times, and an ending that was perfect. I didn't want to put this book down.
December 22, 2018
I loved this book. It followed on beautifully from The Nam Legacy. We served with NZ forces in Singapore during the latter stages of the Vietnam war, and so we knew a lot of the vets. This book is very true to that conflict and what happened to those men. I would highly recommend it.
December 29, 2018
Well done Carole. Could not put the book down. I felt I was in Vietnam with Terry and Frankie. A very emotional read at times. Can’t wait for your next book. I would recommend this book to readers worldwide. They won’t be disappointed.
January 28, 2020
GREAT story, well researched and written. Thoroughly enjoyed the unfolding love story and the insight into the misery and struggle with war and the impacts of Agent Orange that continued after the way.
February 18, 2023
Not your typical "follow up" series..... at least book #2 isn't.
This book follows a parallel path but with a different character with some of the
plot intersecting.
This made it interesting and different not repetitive.
I'll definitely look for book #3
This book follows a parallel path but with a different character with some of the
plot intersecting.
This made it interesting and different not repetitive.
I'll definitely look for book #3
December 17, 2018
I couldn’t put this book down! It was the perfect second book in the Nam series and it’s left me wanting to know more!!
January 24, 2020
Great story, really enjoy reading books from this author.
August 19, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great insight to Vietnam and the war but also liked the love element in the story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews