The Year That Trembled

by Scott Lax

Book Overview

Both a love story and a wartime chronicle, this powerful novel reveals the effects of the Vietnam War on a group of friends living in a small town in Ohio. As the 1970 draft lottery nears, the young... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0839786603
• ISBN13: 9780839786603
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Paul S. Eriksson
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Painter With A Keyboard

The author, Scott Lax, expertly develops character, describes the setting, and expresses the sadness and horror of the whole "Nam" caper. I'm looking forward to his next book due out late 2009.

A Love Story, An Era

Rarely do I want to crawl back into a book after turning its last page. After finishing The Year that Trembled, Scott Lax's characters immediately invited me back into the story to study its layers. On the surface, Trembled is about a group of friends in 1970 who face the draft lottery and an uncertain future in small-town Ohio. But submerged beneath this melody are complex undertones of a world at war - political conflict and spiritual confusion that shake a peaceful setting. Lax orchestrates a story of depth - passages that beg you to re-read so you can fully soak in each consequence. At the same time, Lax avoids drowning a story with great momentum in poetic mush, not trading wit for lyrical language. He balances both quite well with comical dialogue, references to great bands and artists, and realistic small-town portraits of, say, corner-bar confessions, which lighten the load and make any reader feel comfortable in its story. Both a tender love story and coming-of-age tale, Trembled is a soul-baring war chronicle. But to pigeonhole the novel as only historical fiction would be like tucking away a beautiful picture book in the children's section. Trembled is every bit about 1970 as it is about today. Lax's characters are here and now, and his sensitive execution allows you to develop close relationships with each of them. Meanwhile, a delicate treatment of time and place reveals an inner dialogue in Trembled that speaks loudly to readers about each character's struggle with politics, spirituality, love and friendship.

I can't put it down!

This is a wonderful book that you can read over and over again! Scott Lax brings everything to life in this book. From the green meadow blowing in the wind, to the sound of the river, to laughing and crying with the characters. I just can't seem to put down this book because each time I read it I find something new again.

Worth the read!

If you're looking for a book that attacks the reality of life in 1969, 1970, and 1971 with young people vs. the draft, then this is the perfect book. The characters are well thought out, the dialouge is superbly written, the format is unique and eye catching keeping the reader interested, and the storyline hits home. Love, war, family, friendship, politics--all add to the colorful mosaic that is Scott Lax's great work. I highly recommend this book, and the movie, to anyone who wishes to revisit the summer of love and the months beyond. Jonathan Brandis portrayed Casey Pederson with absolute profection, further bringing this already wondeful story to an even higher state of brilliance. A great book, a great cast, a great story!

A book with Heart

I have just finished reading The Year That Trembled for the second time and have to say it is one of the few books I have read in recent years by a contemporary author that is written with heart as well as humor. Both times I came away thinking about the characters for days afterward. That rarely happens to me. Mr. Lax writes with sympathy and humor and he recreates a painful and anxious time in our history like someone who was truly there. I highly recommend The Year That Trembled for anyone who wishes to know what it was like to live through the Vietnam War days in this country as a young, draft-aged man. I also recommend it for anyone looking to connect with good writing and well-drawn characters. An excellent book.