Review of Wild World
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ELENI PAPAPOSTOLOU
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- Latest Review: Wild World by Peter S. Rush
Review of Wild World
[Following is a volunteer review of "Wild World" by Peter S. Rush.]
Wild World by Peter S. Rush is a historical fiction novel about the American youth uprising against the increasing bloodshed in Vietnam war.
The story begins when Steve Logan, student at Brown University, learns the news about the Kent State massacre. Together with his girlfriend Roxy and their friends, students at Brown University as well, join the demonstrations that fire up after the massacre and face police brutality themselves. Steve wonders whether this is democracy or a dictatorship. He attends a meeting with a police sergeant, David Durk, who lectures about trying to change the system being part of it, as he had succeeded fighting corruption in New York Police Department from within. Impressed by Durk’s argument, Steve decides to join the Providence Police Department, and try change things as Durk did. His decision becomes easier since it allows him to stay together with Roxie, as he must postpone going to Georgetown law school in order to join police force.
Fighting against a corrupted regime that goes beyond the police force is not easy, though. He risks his life as well as his relationship with Roxy and his friends, who believe system is absorbing him. The later is his greatest fear as he finds it difficult to make the difference as a police officer. Therefore, he acts as a kind of spy to uncover the corruption.
The title of the book refers to the incredibly famous song “Wild World” by Cat Stevens, released in 1970, connotating Steve being protective of Roxy, as well as the dreadfully dangerous situation he got involved in, confronting the police corruption.
Apart from police brutality and corruption that reaches the highest levels of hierarchy, the book addresses the issue of the generation gap concerning not only the conceptions of sexual liberation, gender, and racial equality but of war and peace as well. True to the historical facts, the writer refers to the “Hard Hats”, the construction workers that were against the anti-war demonstrations. The story underlines as well the social polarization that was reinforced by Nixon’s regime that chose divisive policies to confront the anti-war revolt. Most of all, though, the book asks a question: is it enough to protest? If someone rejects violence against state violence, could one make the difference and change things from within the system? I think that the end of the story leaves the question half-answered, as it should in my opinion. Nevertheless, I think it jumps a bit awkwardly to the end of the plot.
I enjoyed reading the book, having a fast-paced plot as well as making one think. It also made me search for certain historical facts and even watch movies and documentaries, since it reminded me the uprising in my country against the dictatorship as well as after the political changeover in 1974. Moreover, it reminded me how inspiring were those days for youth, contrary to our times.
The book is professionally edited. People who like political and conspiracy thrillers will find it remarkably interesting. Even if the reader does not agree with the writer’s view of Vietnam War and the anti-war movement, one will find it interesting, giving chance to think. So, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Wild World
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Wild World by Peter S. Rush is a historical fiction novel about the American youth uprising against the increasing bloodshed in Vietnam war.
The story begins when Steve Logan, student at Brown University, learns the news about the Kent State massacre. Together with his girlfriend Roxy and their friends, students at Brown University as well, join the demonstrations that fire up after the massacre and face police brutality themselves. Steve wonders whether this is democracy or a dictatorship. He attends a meeting with a police sergeant, David Durk, who lectures about trying to change the system being part of it, as he had succeeded fighting corruption in New York Police Department from within. Impressed by Durk’s argument, Steve decides to join the Providence Police Department, and try change things as Durk did. His decision becomes easier since it allows him to stay together with Roxie, as he must postpone going to Georgetown law school in order to join police force.
Fighting against a corrupted regime that goes beyond the police force is not easy, though. He risks his life as well as his relationship with Roxy and his friends, who believe system is absorbing him. The later is his greatest fear as he finds it difficult to make the difference as a police officer. Therefore, he acts as a kind of spy to uncover the corruption.
The title of the book refers to the incredibly famous song “Wild World” by Cat Stevens, released in 1970, connotating Steve being protective of Roxy, as well as the dreadfully dangerous situation he got involved in, confronting the police corruption.
Apart from police brutality and corruption that reaches the highest levels of hierarchy, the book addresses the issue of the generation gap concerning not only the conceptions of sexual liberation, gender, and racial equality but of war and peace as well. True to the historical facts, the writer refers to the “Hard Hats”, the construction workers that were against the anti-war demonstrations. The story underlines as well the social polarization that was reinforced by Nixon’s regime that chose divisive policies to confront the anti-war revolt. Most of all, though, the book asks a question: is it enough to protest? If someone rejects violence against state violence, could one make the difference and change things from within the system? I think that the end of the story leaves the question half-answered, as it should in my opinion. Nevertheless, I think it jumps a bit awkwardly to the end of the plot.
I enjoyed reading the book, having a fast-paced plot as well as making one think. It also made me search for certain historical facts and even watch movies and documentaries, since it reminded me the uprising in my country against the dictatorship as well as after the political changeover in 1974. Moreover, it reminded me how inspiring were those days for youth, contrary to our times.
The book is professionally edited. People who like political and conspiracy thrillers will find it remarkably interesting. Even if the reader does not agree with the writer’s view of Vietnam War and the anti-war movement, one will find it interesting, giving chance to think. So, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Wild World
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Wild World by Peter S. Rush
