Deer Neck is partially set in Vietnam,yet it is not a war novel. It’s protagonist, Shelby Elkins is a wounded Vietnamvet, but his really serious wounds had nothing at all to do with the war. Thewar was only one of the ‘strange new worlds’ Shelby had found himself in overthe years, some from which he was never able to find his way entirely back.Yet, for everything lost, something still remains. His friend, who had gottenkilled in a helicopter crash, had left a letter for Shelby to read shouldsomething like that happen. In it he referenced a poem by Carl Sandburg, whichends “I have asked to be left a few tears and some laughter.” Sandburg oncealso wrote, "If it can be done it is not a badpractice for man of many years to die with a boy heart." Deer Neck isabout that wish and that practice.
The war is long over,now as far away in time as it was in distance from the innocent world of theTennessee cotton fields of their childhood. Now the best friend Shelby ever hadis dying and asking to see him. This is the same best friend who Shelby has,over and over, betrayed and disappointed. This is the same best friend nowmarried to the woman who has truly always been the love of Shelby’s life. Thisis the same best friend whose thirty-year marriage almost ended because ofShelby.
Caught literally at acrossroads, Shelby has to decide whether it takes more courage to face thesituation or to continue to stay away. He finds that facing the horrors ofVietnam was nothing at all compared to finally facing himself and the truth. Like Andy said, "It took 24 hours to go over there and 30 years to come back."
The Story Behind This Book
Deer Neck is a synthesis of the real stories of the people of my generation. It is a story of place, time and events, but more than that, it is a story of the human qualities that transcend place, time and events. Deer Neck was written to honor the true heroes among us. It was written to honor those who survive.
Related Books
More
Second Book of the Gastar Series: Children of Discord
General Fiction
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Young Adult
72 views
The First Book of the Gastar Series: "Act of Redemption"
General Fiction
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Young Adult
87 views
