4 out of 4 stars
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David Snow’s American Emerald is a modern coming of age story about a young Irishman who has decided that his destiny is to go to the United States and join the U.S. Army. Snow takes his readers to the heart of Ireland, the heat of southern Georgia, the mountains of Colorado and Afghanistan, as well as the sands of Iraq. In each place, one feels that one is there with young Dan Flynn, watching him grow up.
When we first meet Dan, he is counting the days until he leaves Donegal, Ireland for Fort Benning, Georgia. He is having his lasts visits with friends and family. The family pub and hotel are the heart of village. Mam and Dad have a hard time believing their son is leaving, and they are trying to make the most of their time with him. During his last week there, their hotel is home to two American sisters, Sandy and Jo. Sandy and Dan are quickly enamored with each other, spending most of their time together. Most think it’s his last fling before the army, but Dan and Sandy think they’re in love. Sandy heads back to Texas and Dan goes to Fort Benning. Watching what happens with their relationship brings unexpected surprises.
Boot camp begins with full immersion into Army life. Keeping in touch with Sandy and his parents is difficult. Dan quickly makes friends with two men, Jelly and Coffee. Training gets easier with time. Dan is discovered to be a natural on the shooting range, but can that really be why he is getting very special treatment? What’s up with the plane tickets to Vail for Christmas? No one else in his unit is having an officer hand them tickets to anywhere. Who is watching out for Dan? Training ends, Dan’s options are not what he expected for the future. His skills are being noticed by the powers that be, who let him know that when he gets back from Afghanistan, he’ll be really going places if he plays his cards right.
Jelly, Coffee, and Dan are closer than ever and are quick to become bunkmates upon arrival in Afghanistan. Dan quickly meets Major Bob Redmond and is tasked with accompanying him on what will be Dan’s first mission. Dan finds combat terrifying and horrifying as they engage in battle, losing men, including a close buddy. Dan’s own injuries, both mental and physical, help him to fully recognize his love for Sandy. Recuperation and the future become the focus as the story reveals its conclusion. Discovery of who has been promoting his skills is astonishing to Dan, but not so much to the reader.
American Emerald truly shows a boy becoming a man. The vivid imagery makes one feel like they are walking on the beaches of Ireland, running up hills in boot camp and facing battle with comrades. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. However, I would not recommend this story to someone battling PTSD, as some of the battle imagery might bring back difficult memories for them.
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American Emerald
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