F. N. G.

by Donald Bodey

Chronicles the traumatic reality of the world of Gabriel Sauers, an infantryman in Vietnam, and the emotions that he experiences in combat

Genres: Fiction, War

272 pages, Hardcover

Published December 11, 1985

Reviews

[William Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

"VietNam, VietNam, we've all been there" So said Michael Her in his book, DISPATCHES. True for all of a certain age, but some were there more than others. This book by Donald Bodey will give you a glimpse at what you missed, and it's not a pretty picture to look at. It will give you a hell of a lot to think about. People who experienced what Bodey writes of are not the kind to grab their knock-off ARs and attend rallies in their cammies. They have seen the beast and were forever changed by it. Moving.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

FNG is raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. It puts you on the ground in Vietnam, and really lets you experience what our soldiers went through. This is not for the faint-hearted, but if you want to really see what 'Nam was like, FNG will take you there.

Terrific narration adds to and enhances the triumph and the tragedy. Very good production quality.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unapologetic look at a soldier's life in Vietnam. Raw and gripping, Bodey paints a vivid, graphic picture of what American servicemen went through. I cannot image having to go outside the LZ into a jungle that the enemy knows, but you, the soldier, does not. I didn't always understand some of the dialogue and I really wish I knew what happened to Gabriel after the war, but it was still an excellent book.

[Charles Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the book. Was cool to read. Although fiction the author was a real Vietnam vet which makes it cool.

[Douglas Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more realistic books on war and Nam that I've read

[Charline Ratcliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading my copy of “F.N.G.” by author Donald Bodey and I have to admit it wasn’t really my cup of tea. No, “F.N.G.” is not a terrible book. For the most part it’s well written and readers can definitely empathize with the various characters that have roles in this story. “F.N.G.” is also descriptive but unfortunately the writing style itself is extremely direct, clipped, and short which didn’t allow Bodey’s story to have that “flow” which is one of the major components that makes a “good” book “great.” I know there are some who appreciate and enjoy this type of terse writing style but I am not one of them; consequently “F.N.G.” read more like the short-hand version of a Vietnam Vet’s journal rather than the fictional, historical, and biographical story I think the author was intending it to be.

The premise of “F.N.G.” is this: Gabriel Sauers, the “F***ing New Guy,” has just arrived in the beautiful country of Vietnam. He’s still wet behind the ears and if he wants to survive this savage war he’s going to need to find his courage while still keeping his wits about him. He will have to face his enemy; he will have to go through incoming mortar fire and he will eventually become certain that Vietnam is hell. Forty years later Gabriel Sauers is now a “death-hardened veteran” and his grandson Seth is about to be deployed to Iraq. Knowing what awaits Seth; knowing that he will come back from Iraq a man forever changed by what he will have to see and endure, Gabriel wars with himself about taking an action that, on the one hand, will spare Seth from the Iraq war but, on the other hand, will have a lasting effect on his grandson and their relationship from that day forward. When it comes to war what’s really right and what’s really wrong? Does the line blur when you’re faced with the possibility of never seeing a friend or loved one again?

In summary I feel “F.N.G.” is an accurate accounting of one man’s life journey during the Vietnam War. While I wasn’t crazy about the writing style I would still say that the premise of “F.N.G.” was a good one and I would still recommend this book to readers who enjoy the War / Military genre or that historical time period.

(Reviewed in association with Rebecca's Reads).

[Deb Lowrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me to Vietnam. You smell the smells, feel the fear, joy, anger, longing and uncertainty of whether the troops will live or die.
I read this book years ago, and again when the updated version came out. Still as gripping as the first time.
This will explain a lot to readers who really want to know what happened to many who fought this terrible war.