HITCH'S STORY

Pierpoint’s debut novel depicts a U.S. Marine’s voyage of recovery after the trauma of war.

The year is 1968, and Lt. Michael “Hitch” Crocker has just been discharged from the armed forces because of “psychotic episodes and the frequent night screams” that “rendered him psychologically unfit to serve.” Even though he’s returned home to North Carolina, Hitch hasn’t forgotten the horrors of the war. His PTSD and guilt over his actions overseas make it difficult for him to sleep, get along with family members, and resume “plain old normal living,” as he puts it. To clear his head, he decides to hike the Appalachian Trail as a tribute to his good friend and fellow Marine, Pfc. Chester Blankenship, who died in the war during an unexpected attack. As he hikes, Hitch keeps a journal, which makes up most of the novel. Readers get a different perspective in intermittent third-person sections that depict the protagonist’s experiences in Vietnam, including his relationship with a Vietnamese woman named Muli Nguyen, and how violence continues to haunt him in America. Trauma and recovery are central themes of the story, but it also effectively displays a sense of hope as Hitch meets a variety of odd and intriguing characters, such as boxing master Robert E. “Barefoot Bob” Lee, and a man named Corky whose house is overrun with cats; these people help to restore Hitch’s faith in humanity. Such quirky acquaintances offer a welcome contrast to the intense brutality of the novel’s war scenes, resulting in a good balance of light and darkness. The story bounces back and forth in time, and there are a few moments that feel redundant as a result. However, the dialogue accurately reflects the period, including some characters’ use of offensive derogatory terms. Overall, the work provides a nuanced view of the Vietnam War and ably reflects the severe difficulties that many soldiers face.

An ultimately uplifting story that highlights the healing power of human connection.