Going After Cacciato: 1

I am about one-third of the way through Tim O’Brien’s, Going After Cacciato, and my opening thoughts about the novel are different than I expected, yet positive.  I have really enjoyed O’Brien’s character development and how you can almost feel like you are present with them in some of the scenes.  The character of Paul Berlin has been the main surprise for me, because when I picked up this book I just figured that naturally, the character of Cacciato would be the protagonist.  However, thus far, the personal reflections are those of Paul Berlin, a soldier from Cacciato’s squad.  Berlin’s character seems very reflective and more insightful than most of the other soldiers, but Lieutenant Corson has been by far my favorite character, as well as the most amusing.  As the novel progresses, I am interested to see what role the pretty young refugee, Sarkin Aung Wan will play, if any.  She was a surprising development to the plot, and I think it is interesting that there is an attraction between her and Paul Berlin.  Up until now, Sarkin Aung Wan seems to represent an inner strength and confidence that Berlin does not have, so perhaps she will help him find and develop this inner strength.