“Because of Rachel” by Alan Bryce Grossman

Because of Rachel

Alan Bryce Grossman
Independently Published (2023)
ISBN: 979-8988371502
Reviewed by Nadica Terzieva for Reader Views (01/2024)

Set in the 1960s, “Because of Rachel” by Alan Bryce Grossman is an interesting novel that follows the lives of Glory and Will, two lovers brought together only to be separated later by war. Glory is set up for life with her wealthy family, ongoing college education, and her passion for politics and poetry. Will, while being the same age as Glory, is the complete opposite of her with no direction or drive. He struggles to find his purpose in life. When Glory becomes pregnant, Will finds himself trapped in a life he’s not prepared for, urging him to make a change and apply for service to join his fellow US troops in the Vietnam War.

Grossman does an excellent job of portraying character development through the passage of time. While the novel starts in the 1960s, it expands over three decades. The characters we come to learn and care about at the start of the novel mature beautifully as the story unfolds. Each character’s life also falls into place like puzzle pieces as the novel develops. Grossman does a great job at intertwining the passage of time with realistic personality changes given what each character goes through.

The novel is also very well-researched and truly makes you feel like you are experiencing the American Vietnam War protests, the lush landscapes of the Cambodian jungle, and even the perils and tragedies of the Vietnam War. Through the eyes of Glory and Will, readers get to immerse themselves in the political landscapes of the 1960s across continents. Grossman’s stylistic choice of going back and forth between the two main characters also adds to the appeal of the novel. The chapters and scenes are heavily contrasted between the violence in Vietnam and the comparatively safe suburban landscape of Chicago.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly works set in the 1960s, will thoroughly enjoy this novel, as you truly get to immerse yourselves in the lives of the characters. I would also recommend this novel to people interested in the public opinion surrounding the Vietnam War. Grossman emphasizes the growing dissatisfaction with the war through Glory first and later through Will as well. Despite its heavy topics, “Because of Rachel” by Alan Bryce Grossman is mostly a light read, perfect for casual reading.