A Hard And Heavy Thing
A Hard And Heavy Thing by Matthew J Hefti, published by Gallery Books in January 2016, is a literary fiction work that explores the profound struggles faced by a soldier returning from war. The narrative centers on Levi, a sergeant who grapples with the weight of his past decisions and the guilt stemming from a tragic ambush that resulted in the loss of his comrades. As he contemplates suicide, Levi begins to write a note to his best friend Nick, revealing the emotional turmoil that has consumed him since his return home.
Readers will find a poignant exploration of themes related to war and military experiences, as well as the complexities of friendship and redemption. The story unfolds as Levi’s writing transforms from a farewell into a deeper reflection on life, love, and the possibility of renewal. This edition spans 365 pages and is presented in English, offering an introspective look at the impact of trauma and the power of words to reshape one’s future.
Official synopsis Publisher
Top 10 First Novels of 2016–Booklist
2016 Great Group Reads Selection
Contemplating suicide after nearly a decade at war, Levi sits down to write a note to his best friend Nick, explaining why things have to come to this inevitable end. Years earlier, Levi–a sergeant in the army–made a tragic choice that led his team into ambush, leaving three soldiers dead and two badly injured. During the attack, Levi risked death to save a badly burned and disfigured Nick. His actions won him the Silver Star for gallantry, but nothing could alleviate the guilt he carried after that fateful day. He may have saved Nick in Iraq, but when Levi returns home and spirals out of control, it is Nick’s turn to play the savior, urging Levi to write. Levi begins to type as a way of bidding farewell, but what remains when he is finished is not a suicide note. It’s a love song, a novel in which the beginning is the story’s end, the story’s end is the real beginning of Levi’s life, and the future is as mutable as words on a page.
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