Set during the Vietnam War in 1969 and into the early 70s, Brother’s Bound is described as the semiautobiographical fictionalized account of author Bruce K. Berger’s experience at war. Buck and Hues are two friends who meet early on in their army training. Little do they know, their bond will grow closer than ever when their helicopter crashes over the jungles of Vietnam and they are captured and taken to a Viet Cong prisoner camp. They remain trapped there for 14 months and, the longer they’re there, the more hopeless their situation appears to become. Relying only on each other, Buck and Hues go day in and day out wondering how much more they can take. Then, despite an immobilizing injury suffered by Hues, the two finally resolve to escape their hellish prison and embark on a treacherous journey across the jungle headlong towards freedom. Their bond must prove powerful enough to survive more than just the looming threat of their captors.
Brother’s Bound is many things. It’s a war story, it’s an inspiring journey of liberation, and more than anything else, it is a story about brotherhood — particularly the unique brand of brotherhood developed by men in the throes of war. Among the graphic depictions of heart-pounding violence, the brief moments of dark humor, or the book’s many other attention grabbing features, it is the relationship between Buck and Hues, two men in captivity, that carries the narrative and captivates readers. Perhaps this is why, despite Berger’s fictionalized account of the Vietnam War, the story feels so true and honest. While he may not have been a POW himself, he did experience that transcendent bond among brothers that makes the book so compelling. The fact that their connection transcends race in the early 70s adds another layer of complexity and further drives home the capacity of friendship to rise above all external circumstances.
Berger’s writing style is simple, direct and down to earth, which nicely contrasts his immersive bits of imagery which are exceptionally well-written. Similarly, the book’s pace is even and tempered, which lends a greater impact to the moments of action sprinkled throughout the narrative. In this way, Berger does more with less, aptly picking and choosing his moments and guiding us through the story with a delicate sense of purpose. Finally, one of the book’s most poignant features is its depiction of war and the impact it has on the human psyche. This theme is one that’s been taken on many times before, but every now and then, we are lucky enough to come across a unique perspective that affords us something new. Brother’s Bound offers that new perspective and shines a light on an often overlooked aspect of the trauma of war.
Brother’s Bound is a moving account of brotherhood among military men, and the trauma of war; a must-read for those interested in exploring the depths of humanity.
