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Collateral Damage
How many years does it take for a war to end? Collateral Damage contains three linked novellas about the Vietnam War era from the perspectives of those who fought, those who resisted, and the family and friends caught between them.
1968: GETTING OUT – At the height of the conflict, Toby Woodruff decides to risk suicide rather than be forced to fight in a war he doesn’t believe in.
1982: IF I SHOULD STAY – The war is long over, but conflicts and memories stemming from those years still overshadow the Percy family’s Thanksgiving.
1993: LEAVING VIETNAM – When Vietnam at last reopens to Westerners, Sarah Shepherd has a chance to see where her brother died – and try to move past her anger and grief to find peace.
“In short, it’s brilliant. . . an amazing product of that unfortunate waste [Vietnam], on par with, yet completely different from, that Vietnam War masterpiece, The Things They Carried.” – Curtis Dawkins, author of The Graybar Hotel
"These are engrossing stories told with considerable artistry, full of recognition and sympathy." – Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce
1968: GETTING OUT – At the height of the conflict, Toby Woodruff decides to risk suicide rather than be forced to fight in a war he doesn’t believe in.
1982: IF I SHOULD STAY – The war is long over, but conflicts and memories stemming from those years still overshadow the Percy family’s Thanksgiving.
1993: LEAVING VIETNAM – When Vietnam at last reopens to Westerners, Sarah Shepherd has a chance to see where her brother died – and try to move past her anger and grief to find peace.
“In short, it’s brilliant. . . an amazing product of that unfortunate waste [Vietnam], on par with, yet completely different from, that Vietnam War masterpiece, The Things They Carried.” – Curtis Dawkins, author of The Graybar Hotel
"These are engrossing stories told with considerable artistry, full of recognition and sympathy." – Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce
214 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2012
4 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Alice K. Boatwright
11 books187 followersAlice K. Boatwright is the author of award-winning mysteries and literary fiction. Her mysteries about the skeptical American Ellie Kent, who marries a handsome English vicar and moves to his Cotswold village, have generated an enthusiastic following. The stories draw on the author's own experiences as an ex-pat living in an English village – as well as her longstanding love of English culture, literature, and history.
The first book in the series, UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN, won 2016 Mystery & Mayhem Grand Prize for best mystery; and WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (Book 2) has become a popular Christmas read. IN THE LIFE EVER AFTER (Book 3) was published in January 2024.
In August 2019, a new edition of Alice's first book, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, was released by Standing Stone Books in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Winner of the 2013 bronze medal for literary fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, COLLATERAL DAMAGE is three novellas about this divisive era told from the perspective of those who fought, those who resisted, and the family and friends caught in the crossfire between them.
Alice is also the author of a chapbook of stories about the San Juan islands, SEA, SKY, ISLANDS; and, in 2022, she established Firefly Ink Books to publish stories that families and friends can read together. The first book, MRS. POTTS FINDS THANKSGIVING, was released in August 2022.
After 10 years of living in England and France, Alice now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she is active in the writing community as a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and PEN America. She is also the convenor for the North America chapter of the UK’s Crime Writers Association.
To keep up Alice’s latest activities, sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cER4Cj
You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aliceboatwright; Instagram at www.instagram.com/alicek.boatwright/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alice.boatwr...
The first book in the series, UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN, won 2016 Mystery & Mayhem Grand Prize for best mystery; and WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (Book 2) has become a popular Christmas read. IN THE LIFE EVER AFTER (Book 3) was published in January 2024.
In August 2019, a new edition of Alice's first book, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, was released by Standing Stone Books in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Winner of the 2013 bronze medal for literary fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, COLLATERAL DAMAGE is three novellas about this divisive era told from the perspective of those who fought, those who resisted, and the family and friends caught in the crossfire between them.
Alice is also the author of a chapbook of stories about the San Juan islands, SEA, SKY, ISLANDS; and, in 2022, she established Firefly Ink Books to publish stories that families and friends can read together. The first book, MRS. POTTS FINDS THANKSGIVING, was released in August 2022.
After 10 years of living in England and France, Alice now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she is active in the writing community as a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and PEN America. She is also the convenor for the North America chapter of the UK’s Crime Writers Association.
To keep up Alice’s latest activities, sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cER4Cj
You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aliceboatwright; Instagram at www.instagram.com/alicek.boatwright/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alice.boatwr...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 7, 2020
Collateral Damage received the Bronze Award for Literary Fiction from the 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards and was on the Small Press Distribution bestseller list for both July-August 2012 and May-June 2013.
In these three linked novellas, Boatwright explores the lasting effects of the Vietnam War on people living in its shadow – both those who fought and those who didn’t. These moving stories from one of American history’s most divisive eras show us that Vietnam may not be as far behind us as we think. Who goes to war and why — and the consequences for them and the people who love them — are issues that we still face today.
1968: Getting Out — When Toby Woodruff is drafted, he tries to find a middle ground between “going in” and “getting out” of the war and nearly loses his life.
1982: If I Should Stay — A Thanksgiving celebration brings out the tensions in the Percy family as they all try to put the 1960s and the war behind them.
1993: Leaving Vietnam — When Vietnam begins to reopen to the West, Sarah Shepherd has a chance to see the world as her brother Walter last glimpsed it.
In these three linked novellas, Boatwright explores the lasting effects of the Vietnam War on people living in its shadow – both those who fought and those who didn’t. These moving stories from one of American history’s most divisive eras show us that Vietnam may not be as far behind us as we think. Who goes to war and why — and the consequences for them and the people who love them — are issues that we still face today.
1968: Getting Out — When Toby Woodruff is drafted, he tries to find a middle ground between “going in” and “getting out” of the war and nearly loses his life.
1982: If I Should Stay — A Thanksgiving celebration brings out the tensions in the Percy family as they all try to put the 1960s and the war behind them.
1993: Leaving Vietnam — When Vietnam begins to reopen to the West, Sarah Shepherd has a chance to see the world as her brother Walter last glimpsed it.
December 9, 2014
"Collateral Damage" which I won through Goodreads Giveaways weaves together three contemporary novellas that explore the lives of people living in the shadow of the Vietnam War. Artistically portrayed, and with a profound depth of insight she looks at the repercussions of that armed conflict on those that fought, a conscientious objector as well as on the family and friends left behind.
"1968: Getting Out" is told by Toby Woodruff who enlists after being promised a non-combative job only to be trained as a radioman ready to be sent to Vietnam. Realizing he will have to kill, the risks of being killed or even watching someone he could care about die, Toby commits suicide only to be saved and confined to a military mental hospital. Losing his freedom he begins to re-evaluate his life choices and to gain a new perspective as he struggles to be released. Like all the characters Alice K. Boatwright brings to life, Toby Woodruff is a complex personality, a young man who's impulsive, stubborn and tends to find ways to sidestep responsibility whether at college or in the hospital where he remains silent for weeks. Only with the help of Dr. John Barry, an inquisitive and optimistic therapist as well as friendships with the persistent but volatile Russell O'Malley, and the perceptive and kind Alonzo Cooke does Toby begin to move forward, showing courage in his intentions and actions.
In "1982: If I Should Stay", Jane Carter seems to float in a vacuum emotionally, her marriage unstable, the glowing possibilities of her life diffused, and the close-knit family that once anchored her torn apart by tension and deep-seeded problems since the war. Like all the characters in these fascinating stories Jane Carter is a hardworking, thoughtful school teacher who struggles to rekindle the love and commitment in a marriage gone sour because of alcoholism. Her husband a draft dodger who backpacked for peace around the world tries to overcome his self-doubts and insecurities, resisting the urge to drown them in alcohol. Of Jane's brothers, Charlie Percy is a hardworking businessman haunted by the loss of his wife and daughter who clings to his love of music while Tom is an embittered and traumatized Vietnam veteran who's struggling to put the memories of an ugly war to rest, and to find new purpose in his life while holding onto his family roots.
"1993: Leaving Vietnam" there is a strong contrast between Sarah Shepherd's brokenness and that of the Vietnamese people rebuilding from the devastation of another war. This is a tale of purging past guilt and hatred, finding forgiveness and the power of healing. The characters are intense and powerful especially Sarah, a professional photographer who's haunted by the loss of her easy-going, good-natured brother in the war. She undermines any lasting commitment like that with Henry Berenger by running away from love, just as she fears to love her daughter Wendy too much, allowing her to live with her father for most of each year. In this story the writer vividly portrays not only the sights, sounds and beauty of a country being restored, but of the resilience and courage of its people and a woman's determination to put the past behind her.
In all these three short stories Alice K. Boatwright plainly questions the practicality of war and its tragic consequences. It's emotionally - riveting, beautifully written and I highly recommend it.
"1968: Getting Out" is told by Toby Woodruff who enlists after being promised a non-combative job only to be trained as a radioman ready to be sent to Vietnam. Realizing he will have to kill, the risks of being killed or even watching someone he could care about die, Toby commits suicide only to be saved and confined to a military mental hospital. Losing his freedom he begins to re-evaluate his life choices and to gain a new perspective as he struggles to be released. Like all the characters Alice K. Boatwright brings to life, Toby Woodruff is a complex personality, a young man who's impulsive, stubborn and tends to find ways to sidestep responsibility whether at college or in the hospital where he remains silent for weeks. Only with the help of Dr. John Barry, an inquisitive and optimistic therapist as well as friendships with the persistent but volatile Russell O'Malley, and the perceptive and kind Alonzo Cooke does Toby begin to move forward, showing courage in his intentions and actions.
In "1982: If I Should Stay", Jane Carter seems to float in a vacuum emotionally, her marriage unstable, the glowing possibilities of her life diffused, and the close-knit family that once anchored her torn apart by tension and deep-seeded problems since the war. Like all the characters in these fascinating stories Jane Carter is a hardworking, thoughtful school teacher who struggles to rekindle the love and commitment in a marriage gone sour because of alcoholism. Her husband a draft dodger who backpacked for peace around the world tries to overcome his self-doubts and insecurities, resisting the urge to drown them in alcohol. Of Jane's brothers, Charlie Percy is a hardworking businessman haunted by the loss of his wife and daughter who clings to his love of music while Tom is an embittered and traumatized Vietnam veteran who's struggling to put the memories of an ugly war to rest, and to find new purpose in his life while holding onto his family roots.
"1993: Leaving Vietnam" there is a strong contrast between Sarah Shepherd's brokenness and that of the Vietnamese people rebuilding from the devastation of another war. This is a tale of purging past guilt and hatred, finding forgiveness and the power of healing. The characters are intense and powerful especially Sarah, a professional photographer who's haunted by the loss of her easy-going, good-natured brother in the war. She undermines any lasting commitment like that with Henry Berenger by running away from love, just as she fears to love her daughter Wendy too much, allowing her to live with her father for most of each year. In this story the writer vividly portrays not only the sights, sounds and beauty of a country being restored, but of the resilience and courage of its people and a woman's determination to put the past behind her.
In all these three short stories Alice K. Boatwright plainly questions the practicality of war and its tragic consequences. It's emotionally - riveting, beautifully written and I highly recommend it.
June 5, 2014
Three novellas make up this triptych, all centered around the Vietnam War and how it affects the lives of a disparate cast of characters: protestors, enlisters, sisters of combat victims, and friends and family members of combat survivors. Author Alice Boatwright has a deft touch as she probes this sensitive subject, and is neither sentimental nor judgmental. Instead, she looks at a variety of ways the same event might affect different people. The fact that many of the characters here are women gives a new and necessary perspective on the ripple effect of war.
I found the characters' stories to be both realistic and heartbreaking, and I read the book straight through over the course of one weekend. And yet I would say it is essentially a hopeful book. Events might damage us but we can survive, and we can be loved, and we can overcome our ghosts against all odds.
Merged review:
Three novellas make up this triptych, all centered around the Vietnam War and how it affects the lives of a disparate cast of characters: protestors, enlisters, sisters of combat victims, and friends and family members of combat survivors. Author Alice Boatwright has a deft touch as she probes this sensitive subject, and is neither sentimental nor judgmental. Instead, she looks at a variety of ways the same event might effect different people. The fact that many of the characters here are women gives a new and necessary perspective on the ripple effect of war.
I found the characters' stories to be both realistic and heartbreaking, and I read the book straight through over the course of one weekend. And yet I would say it is essentially a hopeful book. Events might damage us but we can survive, and we can be loved, and we can overcome our ghosts against all odds.
I found the characters' stories to be both realistic and heartbreaking, and I read the book straight through over the course of one weekend. And yet I would say it is essentially a hopeful book. Events might damage us but we can survive, and we can be loved, and we can overcome our ghosts against all odds.
Merged review:
Three novellas make up this triptych, all centered around the Vietnam War and how it affects the lives of a disparate cast of characters: protestors, enlisters, sisters of combat victims, and friends and family members of combat survivors. Author Alice Boatwright has a deft touch as she probes this sensitive subject, and is neither sentimental nor judgmental. Instead, she looks at a variety of ways the same event might effect different people. The fact that many of the characters here are women gives a new and necessary perspective on the ripple effect of war.
I found the characters' stories to be both realistic and heartbreaking, and I read the book straight through over the course of one weekend. And yet I would say it is essentially a hopeful book. Events might damage us but we can survive, and we can be loved, and we can overcome our ghosts against all odds.
September 14, 2016
Collateral Damage takes the rage and sorrow and confusion that we all felt as the war in Vietnam slogged on... and she distills that into three individuals living with the consequences. One man's response to the draft diverts him into a private hell. One man's life after combat leaves him detached, even in the midst of family. Years after the war, woman confronts the loss of her brother, seeing the nation where he died. Boatwright's portraits are quiet, sure and deep as she explores themes that resonate with the Vietnam generation and the generations of our ongoing wars around the world.
December 14, 2014
This collection of 3 short stories investigates the effects of the Vietnam War on those who fought, as well as their families, civilians who lived through it and those who chose to stay out of the fray, for whatever reasons. Like The Crazy Iris and other Stories of the Atomic Aftermath, edited by the great Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oe, containing stories of the effects of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in WWII, Collateral Damage by Alice K. Boatwright crafts fictional stories that are more than likely all too real for many people who experienced that tumultuous period of history in one way or another.
Read the full review in The Thugbrarian Review @ http://wp.me/p4pAFB-oq
Read the full review in The Thugbrarian Review @ http://wp.me/p4pAFB-oq
January 6, 2020
This is a stunning and superbly written collection of three related novellas dealing with the effects of the Vietnam War, spanning twenty five years. The writing is brutally objective in places yet lyric and deeply personal in others, with glimmers of hope particularly in the final Novella, Leaving Vietnam. The author always propels the action forward, with suspenseful and sometimes surprising endings. Mandatory reading for anyone who has been touched by or thought about the waste of Vietnam. This book is NOT a polemic, but rather a series of stories that make their own statements, including deep respect for those who fought and died.
September 23, 2014
The writing is masterful--so clear and bright and quiet. . . . In short, it's brilliant. . . . This book, a finalist for the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, is an amazing product of that unfortunate waste, on par with, yet completely different from, that Vietnam War masterpiece, The Things They Carried.
- Curtis Dawkins, BULL Men's Fiction
These are engrossing stories told with considerable artistry, full of recognition and sympathy.
- Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce
- Curtis Dawkins, BULL Men's Fiction
These are engrossing stories told with considerable artistry, full of recognition and sympathy.
- Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce
September 23, 2014
Well-formatted e-book. You can read about it at www.collateraldamage.us
February 11, 2015
Believable characters wrestling with life. Vietnam War colors all 3 sections, but Boatwright writes more of the war within each person.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews