Review of The Bronze Bear Continues
-
Bookreviewer71
- Posts: 27
- Joined: 05 May 2021, 08:39
- Favorite Book: 1984
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 16
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookreviewer71.html
- Latest Review: The Bronze Bear Continues by Jerry A. Greenberg
Review of The Bronze Bear Continues
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Bronze Bear Continues" by Jerry A. Greenberg.]
The Warrenton family, coming into possession of a millennium-old bronze bear statuette, faces various adventures spanning three generations. The Bronze Bear, this book's prequel, told the story of Fred Warrenton and how he obtains the bear statuette from an old French lady and his experiences during World War I. In The Bronze Bear Continues , the grandson of Fred, Randy, recounts his father Larry's World War II experience and his experience during the Vietnam War.
After being brought up in a small sleepy suburb of Chicago, Larry faces the wider outer world during his travel to Europe for World War II. He was entrusted with the bear talisman, containing the millennium-old bear spirit, by his father Fred to keep him safe during his service in the army. The bear spirit, who was Larry's close friend growing up, protects him from dangers. While Larry's regiment moves from the outskirts of Paris to the north of Belgium, they face numerous threats from the enemy forces. But Larry, protected by the bear spirit, was able to skirt through all the hurdles. While returning home, he meets his future wife, they marry a few months later, and then Randy was born. Thus the second half of the story begins with Randy's childhood.
Randy grows up hearing about his grandfather and father's close relationship with the bear, meanwhile acquainting himself with the bear. Due to the controversies surrounding the Vietnam war, Randy was indifferent to the idea of fighting in the war but later gets mandatorily drafted. Instead of being in a combat position, Randy chooses to serve the army press but faces life-threatening dangers even in that position. As usual, the bear comes to the rescue of Randy, and he returns home safely. The death and destruction encountered in Vietnam shape Randy's life after his return to Chicago. He finally meets his future wife, who brings an unexpected twist to the story at the end.
The Bronze Bear Continues by Jerry A. Greenberg, reads not like a fiction story but a real-life memoir. The characterization of Fred, Larry, and Randy show significant differences between each of them. While Fred was an ever brave leader even in real life, Larry and Randy rise to be good leaders when the situation arises. The relationship of each of them with the old bear was unique and enjoyable to readers. The bear was an inalienable part of the Warrenton family, whose friendship and protection leave the readers longing for a similar bear. The heart-wrenching loss of Fred's wife to cancer felt realistic from the words of the author. Also, the change of perception about war during the Twentieth Century was apparent from the story's progression. The other minor supportive characters throughout the book were well developed even for the short time they appeared. The loss of life during the war and the scar it leaves behind are visible in this book.
However, dealing with friendship, familial relationship, grief, hope, war, love, and mystery in this single short read took away the much-needed depth. None of the above aspects were dealt with elaborately to leave a lasting impression on the reader. The post-traumatic experiences of soldiers after the war and their ease back into the civilian society felt lacking. But the facts regarding World War II and the Vietnam War were well researched and were informative.
I give this book three out of four stars. It is an illuminating read, but the way the story was rushed and ended abruptly led me to reduce a star. The bear reminiscing about Fred almost every time he appears felt repetitive and unnecessary. If the author had avoided such minor pitfalls and eased the readers slowly towards the ending without rushing, it could have been a four-star read.
The gory details of explosions, the various minor skirmishes, and the resultant mutilations of the soldiers are graphic and may be unsuitable for some readers. But those who are interested in war stories and technical details regarding the war may find this book enjoyable. The importance given to family and friendship can motivate even those who dislike war stories to enjoy this book.
******
The Bronze Bear Continues
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Warrenton family, coming into possession of a millennium-old bronze bear statuette, faces various adventures spanning three generations. The Bronze Bear, this book's prequel, told the story of Fred Warrenton and how he obtains the bear statuette from an old French lady and his experiences during World War I. In The Bronze Bear Continues , the grandson of Fred, Randy, recounts his father Larry's World War II experience and his experience during the Vietnam War.
After being brought up in a small sleepy suburb of Chicago, Larry faces the wider outer world during his travel to Europe for World War II. He was entrusted with the bear talisman, containing the millennium-old bear spirit, by his father Fred to keep him safe during his service in the army. The bear spirit, who was Larry's close friend growing up, protects him from dangers. While Larry's regiment moves from the outskirts of Paris to the north of Belgium, they face numerous threats from the enemy forces. But Larry, protected by the bear spirit, was able to skirt through all the hurdles. While returning home, he meets his future wife, they marry a few months later, and then Randy was born. Thus the second half of the story begins with Randy's childhood.
Randy grows up hearing about his grandfather and father's close relationship with the bear, meanwhile acquainting himself with the bear. Due to the controversies surrounding the Vietnam war, Randy was indifferent to the idea of fighting in the war but later gets mandatorily drafted. Instead of being in a combat position, Randy chooses to serve the army press but faces life-threatening dangers even in that position. As usual, the bear comes to the rescue of Randy, and he returns home safely. The death and destruction encountered in Vietnam shape Randy's life after his return to Chicago. He finally meets his future wife, who brings an unexpected twist to the story at the end.
The Bronze Bear Continues by Jerry A. Greenberg, reads not like a fiction story but a real-life memoir. The characterization of Fred, Larry, and Randy show significant differences between each of them. While Fred was an ever brave leader even in real life, Larry and Randy rise to be good leaders when the situation arises. The relationship of each of them with the old bear was unique and enjoyable to readers. The bear was an inalienable part of the Warrenton family, whose friendship and protection leave the readers longing for a similar bear. The heart-wrenching loss of Fred's wife to cancer felt realistic from the words of the author. Also, the change of perception about war during the Twentieth Century was apparent from the story's progression. The other minor supportive characters throughout the book were well developed even for the short time they appeared. The loss of life during the war and the scar it leaves behind are visible in this book.
However, dealing with friendship, familial relationship, grief, hope, war, love, and mystery in this single short read took away the much-needed depth. None of the above aspects were dealt with elaborately to leave a lasting impression on the reader. The post-traumatic experiences of soldiers after the war and their ease back into the civilian society felt lacking. But the facts regarding World War II and the Vietnam War were well researched and were informative.
I give this book three out of four stars. It is an illuminating read, but the way the story was rushed and ended abruptly led me to reduce a star. The bear reminiscing about Fred almost every time he appears felt repetitive and unnecessary. If the author had avoided such minor pitfalls and eased the readers slowly towards the ending without rushing, it could have been a four-star read.
The gory details of explosions, the various minor skirmishes, and the resultant mutilations of the soldiers are graphic and may be unsuitable for some readers. But those who are interested in war stories and technical details regarding the war may find this book enjoyable. The importance given to family and friendship can motivate even those who dislike war stories to enjoy this book.
******
The Bronze Bear Continues
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Bronze Bear Continues by Jerry A. Greenberg
