Carry Me Home: A Novel

First off, I'd have rated this one star more, except for the profanity. It felt like every other sentence was laced with it and, often, it felt as if the profanity was contrived and forced rather than something that occurred naturally. Other than that, this was good read told from a unique perspective, that of a "simpleton." I never really figured out why Earlwig was mentally challenged, but hats off to the author for her ability to get inside his head to tell the story. This is a World War II yarn that delves into the Bataan Death March in the Philippines, or at least the aftermath of that horrendous treatment of U.S. soldiers. I love stories about getting past hard times and this was definitely hard times. It left you with hope. I will say one thing felt out of place and it was what I perceived as an anti-war, anti-soldier viewpoint. Everyone's story is unique--I truly appreciate that--but some of the reactions to World War II shared in this story (people didn't respect those who were captured in Bataan, soldiers resented the military, overwhelming sympathy for the enemy) simply don't line up with the viewpoints I've heard expressed by those who lived through World War II. All in all, a good story though!

I was drawn into this unexpected book. By the time I realized it was not what I thought it was, I had to keep reading. Told by Earl "Earwig" Gunderman, who suffered brain damage from a childhood illness, the reader sees the small Wisconsin town with childlike and unfiltered clarity. The boy who is protected and watched over rises to be the strong defender and guardian angel of those he loves.A powerful element of the story is his brother Jimmy's enlistment as World War II looms, and his homecoming as a very changed man. Those he left behind have changed as well, each affected by the results of the war on their home town.All of the characters are drawn with great love; all are to some extent flawed, but all have depth and feel like people we might know.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked the characters and got involved with them. My only criticism is one I'm not sure I'm right about and would like to hear what other readers thought. I thought that the way Earwig talked would have improved as he got older. I know he had some kind of brain damage, but after twenty years of hearing his friends and family talk, wouldn't he have have heard how verb conjugation sounded? Maybe a linguist or a special education teacher could let me know how to think about this. Also, I thought Earwig's dad views were maybe a little too enlightened to be believable. I enjoyed that they were that way, but I wondered if that wasn't an anachronism.

This story was mostly about the effect of WW2 on a small town in Wisconsin. The story has a very charming and unusual young man with residual brain damage from a fever who is the main narrator. He is such a sweet person and is able to " get to the heart of the matter" and speak the truth. This author truly depicts the effect of this war on the young soldiers suddenly sent far away to fight as well as those left behind to deal with terrible worry, rationing, polio, epidemic, loss of jobs, loss of President Roosevelt. Excellent writing especially the beginning and sweet ending. Makes me appreciate my Dad going off to fight in the Navy in Alaska as well as those left behind to take care of his children.

This book has made Sandra Kring one of my favorite writers. "Earwig"/Earl has mental challenges due to a childhood fever and they keep him childlike. However, he adores his older brother and strives to fit in with the group of adolescent boys who will later be called to war. Being a story of boys growing up, there is "cussing" and crude verbal treatment of those "bad" girls who do not conform with their community's standards of "good" girls. Once WWII begins, Earwig does not have his brother to answer his questions and his attempt to understand what is complex and has no perfect answer makes this book a gem. Somewhat reminiscent of Mark Twain's use of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer's questioning of commonly accepted beliefs of their day, Earwig works through a range of topics as he tries to make sense of his world gone crazy with war. Through his fear of losing his brother and his friends forever, he wonders at women staying with men who batter their faces, at his parent's relationship when he discovers the secret they never shared with him and his brother, his perceptions of the country's enemies--Germany and Japan--when he is given information that makes him question his earlier point of view. So many of his questions are still questions today, but his thoughts are wise beyond what we expect of his abilities. Maybe you have to be "simple" to deal with the accepted so honestly. Earwig has a brave and gentle heart, and he has shown the capacity to continue to learn when everyone else has stopped.

I ignored all of the negative reviews about the bad language because I'm not a prude and it sounded like a good book. First of all, I can cuss a blue streak if I get really mad but I don't use God's name in vain and this word was used in just about every sentence, or so it seemed to me. And it just wasn't necessary at all to the story. I made myself finish it and it was a very good story, it had a lot of depth to it, but I wouldn't buy it again. I'm just sorry that the author felt it was necessary to do this. I would have given it 4 stars if not for this. Some of you may not be put off by this but for those who would be, you are forewarned.

A fine novel about a wise, yet very simpleminded man-child named Earwig. Set in the early to mid forties, of WW2 era America. Many readers might find Earwig's use of casual profanity offensive, but I found his voice completely authentic. And as an author myself I can't think of higher praise. What those readers don't understand is an author has two choices when writing dialogue for their characters: Be true to the character and write it like they'd say it. Or be dishonest and put words in their mouths you know damn well they wouldn't say in that particular setting. And NO author worth his/her salt would ever be untrue with their creations. My hats off to you, Ms Kring. Ill look for more of your books in the future.