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Red Clay, Yellow Grass: A Novel of the 1960s
A battleground and a rock festival... love and war in the age of aquarius.
~~~
"...Barager's dynamic, passionate, often moving exploration of the turbulent and politically divided 1960s... is striking. The cast of complicated characters adds arresting human dimensions." ~ Booklist
~~~
David Noble is an orphan with a fondness for the novels of Walter Scott; Jackie Lundquist is a child of privilege, partial to J. D. Salinger and the importance of getting real. Their ill-fated college love affair implodes when David enlists to fight a war she opposes.
Angered by his choice—the marines instead of her—Jackie refuses to acknowledge his letters from Vietnam, where David is burrowed into the blood-red clay of Khe Sanh, one of six thousand marines entrapped by an army of North Vietnamese regulars. David survives the brutal siege, but returns home to find Jackie immersed in a counterculture world of drugs and militancy.
The two lovers find themselves fighting on opposite sides of the defining issue of their time, as the New Left and the New Right battle for a generation’s political soul. To Jackie, the faltering war in Vietnam is a failure of national conscience; to David, it’s a failure of national honor. But neither her rise to fame as the antiwar movement’s alluring Radical Queen, nor David’s defiant counter-protest activities in support of the war, can extinguish their passion for one another.
Their conflicted affair—and the Age of Aquarius itself—careen toward the mellow-yellow grass of Altamont Speedway, site of the decade’s last great rock festival: Altamont, the metaphoric Death of the Sixties, where honor and shame collide and tragedy awaits redemption.
~~~
"Barager spins a compelling tale of youthful passion, both personal and political... a rich, satisfying experience. A well-written, gripping novel that expertly blends fact and fiction, love and conviction." ~ Kirkus Indie
~~~
Evolved Publishing presents a startlingly vivid portrayal of the 1960s, as seen through the eyes of two ill-fated college lovers. The story of their generation spills across some of the era’s most iconic settings: the legendary battleground of Khe Sanh; a Midwestern campus riven by dissent; and Altamont Speedway, scene of the notorious rock festival that ended the Sixties. [DRM-Free]
~~~
BOOKS BY RICHARD BARAGER:
"Red Clay, Yellow Grass: A Novel of the 1960s"
"The Atheist and the Parrotfish"
~~~
MORE GREAT HISTORICAL FICTION FROM EVOLVED PUBLISHING:
The "Shining Light's Saga" Series by Ruby Standing Deer
"Galerie" and "Enfold Me" by Steven Greenberg
"Fresh News Straight from Heaven" by Gregg Sapp
"Behind the Open Walls" by Lanette Kauten
~~~
"...Barager's dynamic, passionate, often moving exploration of the turbulent and politically divided 1960s... is striking. The cast of complicated characters adds arresting human dimensions." ~ Booklist
~~~
David Noble is an orphan with a fondness for the novels of Walter Scott; Jackie Lundquist is a child of privilege, partial to J. D. Salinger and the importance of getting real. Their ill-fated college love affair implodes when David enlists to fight a war she opposes.
Angered by his choice—the marines instead of her—Jackie refuses to acknowledge his letters from Vietnam, where David is burrowed into the blood-red clay of Khe Sanh, one of six thousand marines entrapped by an army of North Vietnamese regulars. David survives the brutal siege, but returns home to find Jackie immersed in a counterculture world of drugs and militancy.
The two lovers find themselves fighting on opposite sides of the defining issue of their time, as the New Left and the New Right battle for a generation’s political soul. To Jackie, the faltering war in Vietnam is a failure of national conscience; to David, it’s a failure of national honor. But neither her rise to fame as the antiwar movement’s alluring Radical Queen, nor David’s defiant counter-protest activities in support of the war, can extinguish their passion for one another.
Their conflicted affair—and the Age of Aquarius itself—careen toward the mellow-yellow grass of Altamont Speedway, site of the decade’s last great rock festival: Altamont, the metaphoric Death of the Sixties, where honor and shame collide and tragedy awaits redemption.
~~~
"Barager spins a compelling tale of youthful passion, both personal and political... a rich, satisfying experience. A well-written, gripping novel that expertly blends fact and fiction, love and conviction." ~ Kirkus Indie
~~~
Evolved Publishing presents a startlingly vivid portrayal of the 1960s, as seen through the eyes of two ill-fated college lovers. The story of their generation spills across some of the era’s most iconic settings: the legendary battleground of Khe Sanh; a Midwestern campus riven by dissent; and Altamont Speedway, scene of the notorious rock festival that ended the Sixties. [DRM-Free]
~~~
BOOKS BY RICHARD BARAGER:
"Red Clay, Yellow Grass: A Novel of the 1960s"
"The Atheist and the Parrotfish"
~~~
MORE GREAT HISTORICAL FICTION FROM EVOLVED PUBLISHING:
The "Shining Light's Saga" Series by Ruby Standing Deer
"Galerie" and "Enfold Me" by Steven Greenberg
"Fresh News Straight from Heaven" by Gregg Sapp
"Behind the Open Walls" by Lanette Kauten
- GenresHistorical
ebook
Published June 4, 2018
About the author
Richard Barager
3 books21 followersRichard R. Barager, MD, FACP, is a nephrologist and novelist. He believes the two finest callings in life are doctor and writer, the one ministering to the human condition, the other illuminating it, both capable of transforming it. But fiction explores meaning in a way science cannot. Sometimes only fiction tells the truth.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2019
Richard Barager gives us a mesmerizing tour of the Sixties from the red clay of Khe Sanh to the yellow grass of Altamont. Told as a poignant story of a young couple joined by passion but torn by differing ideals. Especially recommended for readers who enjoy well-written, well-plotted historical fiction ... with the electric wattage of the Age of Aquarius.
The author, a nephrologist, describes himself as a physician by day and a writer at night: “I am a champion of the healing power of literature and sometimes prescribe novels or short stories to patients to help them cope with illness. Fiction explores meaning in a way science cannot. Sometimes only fiction tells the truth.”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Evolved Publishing for the advance copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#RedClay,yellowGrass #NetGalley
The author, a nephrologist, describes himself as a physician by day and a writer at night: “I am a champion of the healing power of literature and sometimes prescribe novels or short stories to patients to help them cope with illness. Fiction explores meaning in a way science cannot. Sometimes only fiction tells the truth.”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Evolved Publishing for the advance copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#RedClay,yellowGrass #NetGalley
June 11, 2019
I found this book so boring. I just couldn't connect with the characters and the style of writing didn't help me either. The were a lot of words used that weren't familiar, so I was very glad to be reading this book on my Kindle so I could easily see the description...but that didn't always help, since some of them weren't even in the Kindle's dictionary. This isn't a book I'd recommend.
October 18, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"You don't need a Weatherman ..."
Set in the sixties decade, which this reader likes to think is her decade, there were great hopes for this book and there is a very superficial touching of the times. But essentially it is a book of romance, though that is far too attractive a word, between an obviously attractive but silly and emotionally stunted woman and two very disparate men, one conservative who joins the Marines and the other more politically intellectual and ambitious who joins protest groups. Both equally unpleasant, too, and neither really representative of the spirit of the time. The first section of the story, training for the Marines, (usual stuff), and then engagement in Vietnam (with vividly crafted images of involvement of life and battling there) was good, all action stuff. But after the soldier's return, the tedium of lust and angst among the politics set in, not made more palatable by the inclusion of band names and but records of the time.
The last two chapters, however, were enjoyable, a neat conclusion to the story. Narration was by Jon Noto, whose pleasant voice felt well suited to the main character, David Noble. His voice was we?modulated and, mostly, well paced apart from some odd hesitations, as in the pause, 'The dark (pause) foetid hold'. It did give a slightly disjointed impression. Some pronunciations sounded odd, too, Most of the characters were given personal voicings, usually sounding fairly valid, and Mr.Not made a good attempt to sing on the couple of occasions that the text called for this. A good overall performance but one which had some small problems.
My thanks to the rights holder of Red Clay, Yellow Grass, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. I had expected a little more society and less politics, although it is interesting to compare with what is happening today, some fifty years !ater. Although well written, with some good, especially the military, descriptions, I found the characters mostly unconvincing and certainly not empathic and found myself, quite frankly, bored for much of the time.
"You don't need a Weatherman ..."
Set in the sixties decade, which this reader likes to think is her decade, there were great hopes for this book and there is a very superficial touching of the times. But essentially it is a book of romance, though that is far too attractive a word, between an obviously attractive but silly and emotionally stunted woman and two very disparate men, one conservative who joins the Marines and the other more politically intellectual and ambitious who joins protest groups. Both equally unpleasant, too, and neither really representative of the spirit of the time. The first section of the story, training for the Marines, (usual stuff), and then engagement in Vietnam (with vividly crafted images of involvement of life and battling there) was good, all action stuff. But after the soldier's return, the tedium of lust and angst among the politics set in, not made more palatable by the inclusion of band names and but records of the time.
The last two chapters, however, were enjoyable, a neat conclusion to the story. Narration was by Jon Noto, whose pleasant voice felt well suited to the main character, David Noble. His voice was we?modulated and, mostly, well paced apart from some odd hesitations, as in the pause, 'The dark (pause) foetid hold'. It did give a slightly disjointed impression. Some pronunciations sounded odd, too, Most of the characters were given personal voicings, usually sounding fairly valid, and Mr.Not made a good attempt to sing on the couple of occasions that the text called for this. A good overall performance but one which had some small problems.
My thanks to the rights holder of Red Clay, Yellow Grass, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. I had expected a little more society and less politics, although it is interesting to compare with what is happening today, some fifty years !ater. Although well written, with some good, especially the military, descriptions, I found the characters mostly unconvincing and certainly not empathic and found myself, quite frankly, bored for much of the time.
June 5, 2018
Profound Look at the Extremes of the 1960's
Partially, this book is a history of the 1960's as experienced by a young Marine at Khe Sahn ad his return home to Minneapolis and a young socialite turned hippie protesting the war through her involvement with the SDS. Partially, the book is an examination of the Sociology of the 1960's; Black Power, Feminism, Anti-war, Anti-Draft, Flower Power, Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. I have 2 major complaints with this book. First, the author loves rare words. I found myself looking looking up words on nearly every page, some were not in my dictionary! Secondly, I absolutely hated the way the story ended. It was rushed and lacked emotion. Aside from that, the tale was realistic from personal emotion, through character motivation and plot. From my first and second knowledge, everything in the story rang true. I found the book pretty disturbing. I think that I will be mentally processing the story for some time. I received this book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
Partially, this book is a history of the 1960's as experienced by a young Marine at Khe Sahn ad his return home to Minneapolis and a young socialite turned hippie protesting the war through her involvement with the SDS. Partially, the book is an examination of the Sociology of the 1960's; Black Power, Feminism, Anti-war, Anti-Draft, Flower Power, Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. I have 2 major complaints with this book. First, the author loves rare words. I found myself looking looking up words on nearly every page, some were not in my dictionary! Secondly, I absolutely hated the way the story ended. It was rushed and lacked emotion. Aside from that, the tale was realistic from personal emotion, through character motivation and plot. From my first and second knowledge, everything in the story rang true. I found the book pretty disturbing. I think that I will be mentally processing the story for some time. I received this book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
May 4, 2018
I received an advance copy from Edelweiss.
The version I received had some formatting issues around the start of chapters. Distracting, but hopefully that will be fixed before the book is released for purchase.
The story was okay, hence the two stars. At its core, it is a love triangle epic decorated with the flavor of the 1960s.
The ending felt rushed and all of a sudden a new character is brought in to wrap things up- I do not want to give it away, but the heavy foreshadowing of the arrival of, and who this character is, it did not provide the surprise twist to the story as I think was intended.
This would have been a far better novel if it was expanded in some sections and made into a trilogy as Follet did.
That said, I liked the novel and will check out others by Richard Barager.
The version I received had some formatting issues around the start of chapters. Distracting, but hopefully that will be fixed before the book is released for purchase.
The story was okay, hence the two stars. At its core, it is a love triangle epic decorated with the flavor of the 1960s.
The ending felt rushed and all of a sudden a new character is brought in to wrap things up- I do not want to give it away, but the heavy foreshadowing of the arrival of, and who this character is, it did not provide the surprise twist to the story as I think was intended.
This would have been a far better novel if it was expanded in some sections and made into a trilogy as Follet did.
That said, I liked the novel and will check out others by Richard Barager.
May 29, 2018
I really enjoyed the concept of this novel, however, I had a really hard time reading it. When I read, I like to become the main character. I want to know what the characters felt, the struggles they went through, the pain they felt. To me, this was a very cut and dry narrative. It lacked some of the supporting details that I loved. An example is: "They walked through the grass" compared to "They struggled through the underbrush that pulled feet and twisted around their ankles". There are parts of the book that are pretty detailed, but others the author seemed to just rush through.
June 4, 2018
I always enjoy the era of this kind of book. This one is well written and the characters are likable. While it was not a favorite it was extremely good in my opinion. I enjoyed the way the story played out and the characters fit the time period.
Thank you to NetGalley and Evolved Publishing for giving me a copy of this book to read. It was a very enjoyable book. Some parts are hard to read but overall it’s great.
Thank you to NetGalley and Evolved Publishing for giving me a copy of this book to read. It was a very enjoyable book. Some parts are hard to read but overall it’s great.
August 15, 2018
I love historical fiction and normally read WWII historical fiction, but I wanted expand my reading. With that being said, the '60s is not the decade for me. I really wanted to like this book and being born in the 1970s, I thought maybe I could relate; however, I was wrong. I did like the ending, and I wanted to like the characters but the drugs and sex of that time was just too much for me.
Want to read
September 20, 20186/4/18
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews