Johnny Got His Gun
Johnny Got His Gun
Dalton Trumbo
Cheryl Strayed
About a reality that was so far from my own. And yet when I was this teenager, I really could feel like the power of narrative, the power of inhabiting the life of another human. - Cheryl Strayed
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Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

Dalton Trumbo
By
Dalton Trumbo
4.2
44707
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In the harrowing depths of human conflict, "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo stands as a stark monument to the true horrors of war, far removed from the glorified tales of heroism and valor often depicted. Through the eyes of Joe Bonham, a young American soldier who awakens in a hospital bed to a reality more terrifying than death itself, Trumbo masterfully exposes the grim consequences of warfare. Stripped of his limbs and face, Joe's journey into the abyss of his mind and memories becomes a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, challenging readers to confront the brutal cost of conflict and the profound isolation of suffering. Dalton Trumbo, with unflinching honesty and raw emotional power, crafts a narrative that transcends the boundaries of a traditional war story. "Johnny Got His Gun" is not only a critique of the senselessness of war but also a heart-wrenching exploration of individuality, communication, and the innate desire for connection. This novel, awarded the National Book Award, refuses to shy away from the devastating truth of war's impact on the individual, making it an unforgettable masterwork of American literature that continues to resonate with and challenge its readers.

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Released
1939
3 Sep
Length
309
Pages

1

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About a reality that was so far from my own. And yet when I was this teenager, I really could feel like the power of narrative, the power of inhabiting the life of another human. - Cheryl Strayed
did anybody ever come back from the dead any single one of the millions who got killed did any one of them ever come back and say by god i'm glad i'm dead because death is always better than dishonor? did they say i'm glad i died to make the world safe for democracy? did they say i like death better than losing liberty? did any of them ever say it's good to think i got my guts blown out for the honor of my country? did any of them ever say look at me i'm dead but i died for decency and that's better than being alive? did any of them ever say here i am i've been rotting for two years in a foreign grave but it's wonderful to die for your native land? did any of them say hurray i died for womanhood and i'm happy see how i sing even though my mouth is choked with worms?
— Dalton Trumbo, Johnny Got His Gun

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