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A carregar... The Five O'Clock Follies: What's a Woman Doing Here, Anyway?por Theasa Tuohy
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"Touting her first work of fiction as a novel of the press in Vietnam, Oklahoma City-born Theasa Tuohy is an international journalist who's worked for five daily newspapers and as a writer and editor for The Associated Press. She was the first female assistant city editor at The Detroit News. Her mother was a barnstorming pilot and a contemporary of Will Rogers and Wiley Post. All of this is grist for the mill in “The Five O'Clock Follies.” Tuohy's book smacks the reader with powerful descriptions of heat and fire, blood and guts, subterfuge and camouflage in what was probably the least loved conflict in America's history. Protagonist Angela Martinelli is a pushy journalist reminiscent of the female lead in “The China Syndrome” — with a bit of comic relief and red hair a la Brenda Starr, the leggy reporter of the funny papers. Angela combines these traits and more as she gamely steps off a plane in a dazzling frock and stiletto heels to the steamy dangers of Saigon, her signature red hair unfurled like a challenging flag. Divorced and determined to be her own person, the talented writer and daughter of privilege gets short shrift in the male-dominated reporting scene covering Vietnam. Changing her designer shoes into combat boots only heightens her good looks. Angela proves she's as hard-boiled as the men attending the five o'clock follies, briefings that separate the guys from the gal. Testosterone reels while the gorgeous redhead churns scoops like rotors on flawed helicopters. She goes the distance nosing out the truth behind the war and rumors of war while dropping into battle sites, sleeping in tunnels running with stench and rodents and being captured by the enemy. Accused of consorting with the Viet Cong, she proves her mettle, drinks and swears like a proverbial sailor and pays the price for living her truth. This is a riveting tale of a female correspondent who dives into danger and love with equal abandon. “Written with attention to detail and a gift for story-telling . . . , the book lives up to its buzz. The Five O’Clock Follies may be added to the short list of good, well-written books about the press in Vietnam.”
In her brilliant debut novel, longtime daily journalist Tuohy captures the essence of what drives those who go into war armed only with a camera, notebook, and pen. In the fast pace of explosive romance and gritty adventure, "The Five O'Clock Follies" explores the serious issues of the Vietnam War, the role of the press, and how far female correspondents have come in 40 years. Não foram encontradas descrições de bibliotecas. |
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Google Books — A carregar... GénerosSistema Decimal de Melvil (DDC)813.6Literature English (North America) American fiction 21st CenturyClassificação da Biblioteca do Congresso dos EUA (LCC)AvaliaçãoMédia:
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The story slows down to reflect the dull moments in a reporter's life: waiting for permission to embed a combat unit, gossip, drinking Scotch, smoking and women. Then it speeds up again, when Angela gains credits in the middle of a covert operation in Cambodia and survives a 10-days capture by the Viet Cong. Then it slows down again, Angela finds herself in the middle of men like Nick, Curtis, and Ford. The she has another adventure, sleeps in a bunker during a siege in order to know the truth about chopper failures. The war itself is at a distance in this novel, as are the events in homeland America. The luxury in former French restaurants and hotels contrast with napalm, bunkers, units under fire, chaos in the camps and uncertainty who's the real enemy, when friendly fire isn't an exception. And there's music every time: My Funny Valentine (1937) by Richard Rogers / Lorenz Hart and Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds (1962) stand out.
Tuohy describes some important moments of the war: the Tet offensive and the siege of Khe Sanh. No restrictions are made on swearing, describing horrible injuries or finding romance in the midst of war. Unfortunately the final part of the book, where Angela is hurt and hospitalized is at a slow pace again. As a reader you're waiting for a proper end. Apart from these weak points, novel gives a detailed portrait of a woman among newsmen in wartime. For reading groups or personal reflection 10 discussion questions on the story and (Viet Nam) war time are included. ( )