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Bobbie Ann Mason

In Country

Bobbie Ann MasonFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985

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Book Brief

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Bobbie Ann Mason

In Country

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kentucky • 1980s

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

730L

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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

3.9

2,913 ratings

56%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

3.9

2,913 ratings

56%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kentucky • 1980s

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

730L

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