54 pages • 1 hour read
In Country
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
Kentucky • 1980s
1985
Adult
18+ years
730L
Super Short Summary
In Bobbie Ann Mason's debut novel In Country, set in Hopewell, Kentucky, in 1984, teenage protagonist Samantha Hughes seeks to uncover the truth about her father, who died in the Vietnam War, while grappling with her sense of identity in post-war America. Her uncle Emmett, a Vietnam veteran with PTSD, also plays a significant role in the story as they both navigate their paths toward healing and understanding. The text includes incidents of alcohol and substance misuse, references to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and death by suicide, and racist comments by characters.
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Emotional
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
2,913 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Readers appreciate Bobbie Ann Mason's In Country for its poignant portrayal of post-Vietnam War America, highlighting the complexities of grief and healing. The relatable protagonist and vivid descriptions stand out. However, some critics feel the pacing is uneven and the ending lacks resolution. Overall, it's a thought-provoking narrative on war's lasting impact.
Who Should Read In Country?
Fans of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien and Beloved by Toni Morrison would appreciate In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason. Ideal for readers interested in post-war trauma, coming-of-age tales, and nuanced Southern settings, the novel blends emotional depth with sharp cultural observations.
2,913 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Emmett Smith
Emmett Smith
Sam's uncle, a Vietnam War veteran living with PTSD, who is cared for by Sam as they reside together in their shared family home.
Lonnie Malone
Lonnie Malone
Sam's boyfriend, who represents the challenges and disillusionment of young working-class men in the post-Vietnam War era, and struggles with his own future ambitions.
Tom Hudson
Tom Hudson
A Vietnam veteran who spends time with Emmett and becomes involved with Sam, revealing his personal struggles with the war's aftermath.
Irene
Irene
Sam's mother, who has remarried and started a new life in Lexington, but still cares for Sam and encourages her to join her new family.
272
Novel • Fiction
Kentucky • 1980s
1985
Adult
18+ years
730L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.