The Yellow Birds: A Novel

This book captivated me from beginning to end. It gave me a new perspective on the dissonance that resides within the heart and souls of many who have survived an experience such as serving in Afghanistan and then return to their previous lives. I think twice before saying to any vet, "Thank you for your service."

Yellow Birds has been hailed the war novel of its general. This is an extreme overstatement. Although fictional, this novel has many inaccuracies about the military to the point of distraction. More importantly, the author turns soldiers into cartoonish stereotypes that only widen the gap between civilian society and the military. As a member of the National Guard during wartime, the author would have done a greater service by focusing on the struggles and accomplishments of citizen soldiers during this trying time. The author probably had a better, more authentic story to tell rather than the fantasy tale he created. What is ironic and bothersome is that gap between civilian society and the military is exposed not by the novel itself but by the reaction to the novel as the defining narrative of our most recent wars.

Having said this, the novel has two positive points. The author does make great use of imagery. There is a sense of the oppressiveness of combat situations to the vastness of civilian society with the wonder, isolation and confusion that comes with it. Additionally, this novel is a good coming of age of novel. The reader is able to see how the protagonist makes sense out of life. His journey of self-discovery is simply against the context of war. The coming of age perspective is my recommendation for approaching "Yellow Birds". It does justice to both the book and the military experience.

He is a poet - his writing is so lyrical, descriptive. I found myself rereading paragraphs just to soak it all in. I like the way he tells this very difficult story, moving back and forth between the war and coming home. Most of us can never know how this war felt to those who experienced it, and it's hard to take a clear, straight look at the war's effects on soldiers. He does a great job of conveying that in an almost heartbreaking narrative.

While I was totally captured by the horror of war in this telling novel, I can't help but wonder at the praise given to the book at the end. It seems to garner much praise from the intelligentsia. These are the same folk that, in my mind, would run to the hills before laying down their lives in the service of "American Freedom." The only thing that irks me about this esteemed work, is the fauning of the "experts" about the work. Kevin Powers writes a moving experience about the true horrors of combat. The conviction of his story should be lauded as classic literature worthy of awards, accolades and further study. It is a beautiful story of suffering and the realities of war.

I waited and waited for this novel's release date, so admittedly was putting it on a pedestal before I even read it.
The language is the strength of this novel.
If you love language-driven work, get it!
If you are looking for a nuts and bolts Iraq story....you will need to fill in the blanks.
I served in Iraq around the same time as the author, and so was able to fill in some blanks....
Not many novels about the war in Iraq, and this one is a very solid choice to start with.

I suppose having served in the military the story line was more of routine. However, it is very important for people that are not familiar with military operations and the stress and routine that service people live with day to day to understand the life of people serving in the military. Good book for people to receive that insight and to better understand military life.

what makes this book an absolute standout is the superb writing. beyond that, the story is compelling and the main character intelligent. he makes you think along with him and see through his eyes the world he's experiencing, the people around him and his relationship to them and with himself. the reviewers have all enthused about this iraq war story and i'm cheering right along with them.

Every war has its perfect novel, such as Going After Cacciatto by Tim O'Brien for Vietnam, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane for the Civil War, Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut for WWII to name three. Now comes The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, a gut wrenching story of youth and war and Iraq. This beautifully written story gives us the soldiers Bartle and Murphy and the aftereffects of Murphy's death on Bartle and their Sergeant, Sterling. Richly detailed, Powers uses all the tools of narrative, flashback, fantasy, etc., to give these young men life and vitality while facing death from a useless war.

I can't recommend this book enough. It deserves its place in the canon of war books.

Private Bartle, age 21, and Private Murphy, age 18, are U.S. soldiers in Iraq in 2004. Murphy is sort of a fragile runt, with Bartle as his assigned protector, and Bartle has foolishly promised Murphy’s mother that he will see that her son returns home safely. We know early on that Bartle, the narrator, will have to renege on that promise. We also know that Bartle suffers tremendous guilt regarding Murphy’s fate after he returns to the U.S. The author keeps us in suspense until the end of the novel when he finally discloses the circumstances of Murphy’s death. The chapters leading up to this finale alternate between the seemingly ineffective gunfire exchanges in Iraq and Bartle’s inability to cope with life after his return to the States, spent in a drunken stupor. For both Bartle and Murphy, the war is a baffling exercise in futility, but Murphy in particular starts becoming unglued, having witnessed his sergeant murdering civilians and having watched a fellow soldier die in combat. As the sergeant puts it, “You’ve got to stay deviant,” and Murphy is much too sensitive to survive emotionally or physically in such a gruesome environment. To me, this is not so much a buddy novel as it is a story of an innocent young man and his slightly-more-mature reluctant bodyguard. Both Murphy and Bartle make bad decisions with devastating consequences, but we can chalk Murphy’s mistakes up to his delicate nature. However, Bartle, as our narrator, is the more sympathetic character, and we willingly forgive his transgressions, given the traumatic circumstances. I’m not in a position to judge how authentic Bartle’s voice is, but it seemed pretty real to me—maybe a little too real.

Kevin Powers uses almost poetic language to put readers with all their five senses right into the skin of a soldier destroyed by the senselessness that is war. The book takes readers back and forth between Iraq during the war and Virginia after the soldier's tour is up and slowly unfolds the horrors that rob the main character of almost everything it takes to lead any semblance of a normal life. Beautifully written. Very sad.

This beautifully written book is worth the sadness and revulsion you will feel with the story. Powers infuses his narrative with an elegiac sense of time passing that is very moving. If I had a criticism it would be that the visions produced did not have to be quite so graphic to make his point. But this is definitely worth your time.

This is not an average war-buddy book although it starts out that way. Obviously war is horrible and that is explored also. The real meat of the story involves a moral choice which readers will have to evaluate. This is a short but very powerful read.

This novel is exquisitely written in an almost poetic style. It conveys a soldier's experience of a meaningless, pathetic war (Iraq) and it's effect on his mind and soul. The book is so well written that we experience his angst so deeply that we might not want to continue reading the book. One asks: is it necessary to suffer the experience in reading this "novel" in order to utterly oppose war because of what it does to a man and his soul? I suspect this is one of many books we will be receiving from this young author.

This book has been overhyped (imagine that!), but is certainly a good read. The author's lyrical style contrasts with the brutal events described. It is the quality of the writing, rather than the story (which approaches cliche), that makes this book well worth reading.

I found it disturbing in that we ask our soldiers to experience these things and they suffer for it. I'm ashamed of myself that I'm not out there to (I'm female and 66 at this point...not sure how much I could actually do!) But.. we need to know what we are asking of our men and women and we need to take care of them when they get home. Do read this book.

The descriptions of the environments and the feel, both at war and at home, were very convincing. The characters and their actions were not. Some key actions were confusing and the anticipated big, driving deeds that were meant to explain the characters fell way short. Also, from the 'voice' point of view, the narrator was confusingly partly first person but also all-knowing with no way to explain this position.
Worth the read but there must be better books either out there or to come about soldiers in today's modern, asymmetrical warfare.

As a Director of, NotAlone [...] am seeing the life altering experiences described in this book being manifest in so many of todays Iraq/Afghanistan War veterans as well as many older veterans who served in Vietnam. The author described many of my feelings following three tours in Southeast Asia during the 1964 - 1972 timefreame. Highly recommend this book for those who "have not been there" and want to know more about the experiences/invisible wounds our soldiers are suffering as a result of the protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I can identify with the emotional journey of the protagonist. This is a journey to the hell that is العراق and back back home again that helps those of us who have not had the adventure to understand it a little better.

Writing is solid. Depiction of the war time morale is spot on. He confirms the fact that killing people is not normal to most humans. But, once inserted into the killing mode, normal care and concern for mankind can easily slip away. Not by choice does this happen but it happens to cushion ones conscience and sensibilities.

A powerful story but undermined by a whacky structure. Back and forth between middle, beginning and end. Hard for a simpleton like me to follow. Ultimately, though, I am left w a strong impression of a tortured war experience. Maybe that's all that matters. Glad I read it.

A moving depiction of the young men, handled with aplomb and depth. This novel portrays the most mundane and horrific aspects of soldiering.
A book to be read by anyone contemplating enlisting and each and every Congressmen and Senators of our country.
J. Gordon

Very good book, and beautifully written. It's rather ironic really, the writing is so poetic, that sometimes I forgot it was a story about the horrors of war. The writer has a masters in poetry - it shows.

A moving depiction of the young men, handled with aplomb and depth. This novel portrays the most mundane and horrific aspects of soldiering.
A book to be read by anyone contemplating enlisting and each and every Congressmen and Senators of our country.
J. Gordon

Very good book, and beautifully written. It's rather ironic really, the writing is so poetic, that sometimes I forgot it was a story about the horrors of war. The writer has a masters in poetry - it shows.

An exceptionally well-written sad and evocative narrative about war and one man's truth. I was able to read this in small snippets only in order to allow the powerful words to take root. This reminded me of the Dalton Trumble novel I read in high school. A true masterpiece.

The Yellow Birds tells the story of a young soldier, sent overseas to fight in the middle east. The author does an amazing job of telling the story not only of war and fighting, but also of all the emotional stress and trauma caused by fighting in the war. A back-and-forth structure from past to present helps the reader to draw the connections between wartime and life back in the USA. The reader finds himself relating to parts of the main character's emotional distress, which is at times haunting. The book as a whole was a rewarding and gripping read.

A splendid short novel that looks into the mind of a soldier, the war (and deaths of bodies and of souls) he survived, offering perhaps why the military's suicide rate is now the highest ever.

Private Bartle speaking of trying to cope with everyday existence back home:

"You want to fall, that's all. You think it can't go on like that. It's as if your life is a perch on the edge of a cliff and going forward seems impossible, not for a lack of will, but a lack of space. The possibility of another day stands in defiance of the laws of physics. And you can't go back. So you want to fall, let go, give up, but you can't. And every breath you take reminds you of that fact. So it goes."

The last sentence likely a tribute to the classic war novel, "Slaughterhouse-Five."

I hope we see more from such a talent as Kevin Powers.

Yellow Birds is a beautifully written tale of two very young men who meet in army boot camp and become best friends as they are sent to fight in Iraq. Powers poetic prose takes the reader into the reality of war and its horrific toll on humanity, starting with the very first chapter. Sometimes difficult to read, this unflinching fiction, obviously based on experience, will grab you and give a hard shake. A really good read!

What an incredible piece of writing. Not only for a first book, but for any book. "All Quiet on the Western Front" is considered one of the great anti-war novels of the 20th century and I nominate "The Yellow Birds" for the novel to take its place for the 21st century.

Frightening, realistic look at war from the inside. The incidents struck me as being realistic, written only by someone who had to have experienced similar people and situations. Made me realize even more the horrors of war. Those who have been in war will know. Those who have not will learn.

The writing is beautiful, spare, sure. Those of us who have read Crane's "Red Badge of Courage" will recognize the "voice." Or Sasoon's WW I poems. This is a powerful novel. If you love good writing, here it is, in service of a story everyone needs to hear. War is not heroic.

I purchased this book after hearing a very favorable review on NPR. Heart rendering account based on true events of two soldier's tour of duty. Language style a little off-putting to me, but some people may like the artistic fluorish....

Excellent writing skills and engaging storyline which helpfully explains why we should never go to war. It destroys people. Not just the terror and destruction enacted on those regarded as the enemy but also on young men and women who enlist in the army and are ill-prepared for the horror.

This very fine novel puts the reader inside the head of a returned soldier with a classic case of PTSD. It's probably one of the most significant books to come out of the current horror. It reminds me of the visual interpretations produced by San Antonio artist Vincent Valdez.

For anyone who has wondered about why our returning soldiers never want to discuss their service, this is a must read. The author's power of description puts you right there with John, the main character and holds you until tHe very last words. The Yellow Birds is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long time..

Powerful on so many levels. Atwhat point do you do what's right, and when is is better to do the right thing? A great novel to help us undestand what is going on during what has become this nation's new forgotten war. This is one I'll re-read again. But it is not just just a war novel, the ethical dilemma's and character transitions can be applied to any business place, school, or public office.

This book is very well written, too well written for me actually. I wasn't able to finish it because it is about war and so graphic that it was disturbing for me. I think it would appeal to former military people who could emphasize with the events in the book.

This story is unlike most war novels. The author, an autophilosopher, thoroughly examines his own life through the eyes of his soldier self. His story is not about how many enemy killed but the relationships and burdons, he has with one buddy and one officer. They pass intertwined through the story like ghosts haunting his post war life life until he reaches awareness and breakdown. This story is very well written, but is definitly not a feel gool read.

This book is well written. If anyone has young people who have come back from these recent wars, they will be saddened by what has been done to their children or grandchildren. Don't the people who decide on war realize that people can be killed without actually dying. Very sad story.

After reading Yellow Birds I can begin to understand the horror of PTSD and the mental collateral damage our Iraq/Afghanistan veterans face as they return from battle. Powers has done a great service by reminding Americans the reason that suicide is so prevalent in veterans. Powers is a masterful storyteller. His language is poetic and leaves unforgettable images as he describes the struggle of re-entry for our brave veterans. Yellow Birds will become a classic along with Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. I eagerly await Powers next work of fiction

Interesting first novel by the author. As many books do, the story line jumped around quite a bit, but in this case it slightly annoyed me in that I thought the author was into a flow and then disrupted it by moving on to something else. I actually thought the story was non fiction until the end when I read the epilogue so he did a great job of realistic writing. I did enjoy this book but it won't be up there with the best books I have ever read.

great story of what is really going down in americas recent war-ing( afghanistan )---young mens lives and how it affects them for life.a tough ,dark tale very well written with great characters.Highly recommended,Kevin Powers was there and tells truths.

Pretty good plot. Nice story. However, there is an overuse of imagery and analogies and other literary elements that make the reader wander off while reading. This leads to the reader not grasping the gist of the passage and making the novel a bit confusing to read. The back and forth switching of settings can also be confusing if the reader is not paying close attention.
All in all, the book is good and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get a different point of view of a soldier's life while at war.

If you are like me, wanting to stretch your knowledge of war but feel encumbered in reading historical accounts, read this book. This beautifully written book will make you a willing party to journey into the gross realities of the Iraq war and make you thankful for those that have gone.

It has a dark component but Americans need to read this excellent book about the affect(s) the wars are having on our young men and women who enter the military and serve this country. And by extension the affect(s) their service brings home to the husbands/wives, parents and loved ones of those who serve.

All to often we hear about how "proud we all are of their service" but after they return their mental and physical needs are not met in a maner that will allow them to return to a "normal" life... i.e. suicide rate; divorce; unemployment; homelessness; drug/alcohol adiction; violent behavior; criminal behavior; ect. One would think this country could do better in assisting their return to "normal" life; if one can make that transition after these kinds of experiences occur in their lives. Voice your opinion about the after service care and support given to our military to your elected officials.

A book bringing into light the pervasive disregard and lack of attention to mental illness in this country today. A very disturbing book that I found most troubling beginning with the US army marching song and proceeding with the on-going horror of the utterly unnecessary American misadventure in Iraq. Definitely not a read before bedtime. I would like to see more from this author; seems it is his first writing and shows real promise as an author.