Pvt. Richard Lee Leslie

Roger
Storkamp
Genre: 
Historical

MEMOIR:  After spending 18 continuous months in battle during World War II, Richard is learning to adjust to civilian life, and it is proving challenging. When he meets with a military psychiatrist he begins to open up about the traumatic experiences of war, only to suffer a severe PTSD attack that lands him in the hospital. After his release, he marries, and though he deeply loves his wife, he is not happy. He is binge drinking and ends up shooting two people, leaving his wife and children to pick up the pieces. After his eldest daughter marries, Richard who is close to her and her spouse, learns to leave alcohol and his past behind. 

This account gives a scarily accurate insight into the hell war veterans have to deal with on a daily basis. However, some of writing style is hard to get past. For example, punctuation is consistently forgotten. In addition, during the first three parts of the narrative, the flow of the story is confusing and at times jarring, leaving the reader to question what is happening and who is speaking. The first three-quarters of the book drags along, but the last section is the saving grace. This last section is Richard’s true memoir and a complete joy to read and digest.

Yannie Sorensen