Review: You Know When the Men Are Gone
You Know When the Men Are Gone, by Siobhan Fallon is a collection of eight interconnected short stories about the way military deployments affect all of those involved. All of the stories are about families stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and are told from the point of view of the men who are deployed as well as the wives who are at home trying to maintain some form of normalcy. These are the stories of the fiercely dedicated men who are fighting for their country and their fiercely determined wives. They’re the stories of families sacrificing in order to support a cause they believe in. These stories tell of heartbreaking loneliness and unfathomable loss.
I’ve put off writing about this book simply because I don’t think I can do it justice. Fallon’s writing is stunning and her words are achingly beautiful. This is the type of book that you can’t put down, yet want to draw out as long as possible. Don’t dismiss You Know When the Men Are Gone if you don’t read short stories, because this collection reads more like a novel. Many characters appear in more than one story and, of course, Fort Hood is central to all of them.
Siobhan Fallon is married to an Army major and lived in Fort Hood, Texas through two of her husband’s deployments to Iraq. She knows firsthand just how difficult these separations are for everyone and that is clear in these stories. The love, camaraderie and sense of community are evident as well. I was young when my father retired from the military so I only remember his last deployment. I remember the way things were different at home and also remember being afraid that I wouldn’t recognize my father when he returned. This book reminded me of those feelings and brought tears to my eyes more than once.
I cannot express just how much I loved You Know When the Men Are Gone. I’m positive it will be one of my favorites of the year, and I urge everyone to read it. It’s an important book that should not be missed!
Challenges: Amy Einhorn Challenge
what about when the women are gone? someone needs to right that good too.
I’ve heard such wonderful things about this book…I can’t wait to read it.
This sounds so good! I have a thing for novels in stories, so I’ll keep an eye out for it for sure.
I don’t read may short story collections, but this sounds really good. Nice review Kathy
It does sound like a book I’d enjoy!
It must be so hard to have your husband taken away so often. The worry it must cause. This sounds like a book that needs to be read.
I can’t wait to read this one! Yours is just one more in the huge list of glowing blogger reviews.
Yours is not the first glowing review of this book I have read, and despite the fact that it is sad, it’s one that I really want to read. I am intrigued by the fact that it’s a short story collection but reads more like a novel. Great review, Kathy!
going to add it to my MUST READ.
Your enthusiasm for this one makes it enough to know that this book is good.
If her writing is “achingly beautiful” then I must read it!
Impressive review! Sounds like I have to consider this, even though I too am not much into short stories!
Yay for Siobhan! Another great review!
I’m not a fan of short stories either, but like you said – thought this read more like a novel. A very emotional one at that. Great review!
Will definitely try to read this one, great review!
I’ve been getting into short stories a lot lately and this one sounds like one I would really enjoy.
Nice review.
Not sure about the format…but since they do go together then perhaps
I’m going to get my hands on this audio, hopefully. I love short stories!
Another great review.
I loved this book! No one should be put off by the short story format. They are interconnecting and riveting. When I finished, I wanted more.
Thank you for your review, sometimes it is so hard to put into words just how certain books are.
This is definitely one that I’ve wanted to read. Being from a military family and always being surrounded by the military with my sister, brother-in-law, father, and husband, this is definitely going to be one that I’m confident I will enjoy. So glad to see that this was one that you liked as well, Kathy
I’m so glad you loved it! I have it on my TBR list. Great review, Kathy!
It sounds like a good book. I have 2 friends who are wives with husbands in the military at Ft. Hood. I know from them how difficult it can be to keep some level of normalcy for the family and how much joy they feel when they come home from tour and the anxiousness as they count down the days for their return. I’ll have to look into this book. Thanks for sharing Kathy!
Wow, this is the second review of this book that has just plead with me to read it! I am going to add it to my wishlist now!
What a timely review Kathy!! My son who is currently serving in the Marine Corp, just got engaged. I think I may buy this one, read it first and then give it to his fiancee. Right now they have a long distance relationship, but a deployment is a whole other thing!!
Your review is terrific!! And I second your thoughts — just an amazing book!
Beautiful review, Kathy. Your heart-felt enthusiasm for this book is palpable.
I can’t wait to read this book.
It is a wonderful book and your review was perfect.
I’ve been looking forward to this one but “achingly beautiful” moves it to the top of the list!
I just don’t think I could live like that but I applaud the families who do.
Wow. I’m not a short story lover, but when they are done right, they can be miles better than a novel. Thanks for the review. It was good you said characters crop up in more than one story – I like it when that happens.
Thanks for a wonderful review.
Sounds so good! Not sure why I haven’t checked this one out before. I’ve seen it around the blogosphere, but it hasn’t been on my radar. It will be now.
I love it when you love books. And I always trust your opinion.
Although it may bring back some old memories, I’d like to read how modern day families are handling separations like this. I’m sure it’s still as difficult.
Favorites of the year! Wow! I have a brother-in-law stationed at Fort Hood so I’ll have to check this out and maybe pass it on to a girlfriend of mine whose brother is station down there as well.
I’ve read two or three of the stories so far and must agree it’s a wonderful book.
Kathy,
WOW, what an exceptionally lovely review!
Thank you so much for picking the collection up and taking time to post about it (and, of course, for saying such nice things!). And thank you to your readers above– I hope the stories ring true to you, especially those of you who know service members.
Again, thanks for the wonderful support. This review and the generous comments will keep me smiling all weekend!
Best,
Siobhan Fallon
Message received! I’ll look for it. The title got my attention right away.
I’ve seen this one but didn’t realize what it was about. It sounds fantastic.
2 Kids and Tired Books
This sounds like a beautiful book. My brother is in the army right now so it should be weird when he finally is deployed.
Yet another review I had to skip to the end because I haven’t written mine yet — so glad you loved this too.
I’m looking forward to this one. So happy to see that it is a favorite.
I’m really enjoying this one so far (although I had to put it down to play catch up for a read-along. I agree it reads like a novel. I’ve discovered I really enjoy short story collections with a strong theme even though I’m rather ambivalent about short stories in general.
Sounds like one for my TBR stack
i’m really looking forward to reading this book so i’m glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve heard this compared to The Things They Carried. Your review, along with so many others, has convinced me that this book must go on my future reading list!
This one sounds fantastic. Reminds me of two shows I love, The Unit and Army Wives. I’ll have to buy this one, thanks for the review.
This is the second or third time I have heard about this book and everyone seems to believe that it is definitely a book that needs to be read. And i really do want to read this one – I am totally in love with short stories linked together to create a novel. Genius.