Novels
Novels
Journey HomeA novel by William Michael Murray
"Whether it's for the best,
ask me that on my death bed."
A novel by William Michael Murray
ask me that on my death bed."
THIS STORY
is about Jeff's return to the U.S. from the Navy. While this is a sequel to A Week in Vietnam, the books can be ready in any order.
It's June 1973 when Jeff Powell returns to the States from Guam to process out of the Navy. He is scheduled to begin a job in Texas in early July and start Law School in the following Fall. Finding that he has a few weeks available to him, he decides to take the time to travel around the West, visiting the national parks while camping in the back of his car, a Datsun 240Z. So begins his odyssey.
The book recounts the experiences he has and the many and varied people he meets while on the road - hippies, park rangers, hitchhikers, and Navajos. Early on in his journey, he meets Lara, a singer in a band, whom he falls in love with. They agree that she should pursue her singing career and they separate. During the rest of his journey, he is torn between going back to Texas and becoming a lawyer or going back and starting a life with Lara.
For those of you who remember the TV show, Route 66, this book will bring back memories. For those of you not old enough to remember the 60s and 70s, this book will give you an idea of what hippies and Vietnam were all about. And if you ever struggled with what to do with your life, you will identify with Jeff's journey.
A Week in VietnamA short novel by William Michael Murray
If you go into a madhouse and intend to return
- take love with you.
A short novel by William Michael Murray
THIS STORY
is about a Navy Supply Corp Lieutenant who is stationed on Guam and attached to the staff of a squadron of Patrol Gunboats still actively engaged in Vietnam. He was ordered from Guam to Vietnam for a week in 1972 as the North Vietnamese Eastertide Offensive was beginning. The ships had recently been moved from the Naval Base at Cam Ranh Bay to a base in the Mekong River where they were experiencing problems getting resupplied. His mission was to see if he could resolve the problems.
Before leaving Guam his wife has left him and he has become involved with a married woman. He finds that in his few moments of quiet, he thinks of her.
The story details the unique experiences and people he encounters during that week - which run the gamut from the mundane to the humorous, poignant and bizarre.
As he leaves Vietnam to return to Guam, he questions whether his being sent there was of any real benefit. More importantly though, he realizes that even though he was forever changed by the experience, her love has helped bring him through it. He's knows he's okay.