The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee Reviewed

 

About the book:

Title: The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific

Authors: Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee

Genre: Inspirational Historical Suspense Fiction

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire. 

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as Japanese warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history. 

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

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My Thoughts

This was a hard read. Not physically, but definitely emotionally. I felt as though I was walking the Bataan Death March with Jimmy, Hank, and Billy the imagery was so vivid, and the story so gripping that I couldn't turn away from the page. 

Brotherton and Lee crafted believable characters as well as an engaging story that kept this reader glued to the page. 

I was pleasantly surprised that Revell, a Christian publisher allowed for some realistic additions like drinking and a few curse words. I know there is a huge controversy within the Christian market regarding it but in my opinion, it allows for realism. 

Bottom Line: This book was like watching a movie about the Bataan Death March and while it was difficult to read what happened to these characters, the experience of reading this book will stay with me. I won't soon forget Jimmy, Hank, Billy, and Claire. This was a coming-of-age story of immense proportions. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I wasn't required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The authors.

Learn more about Marcus Brotherton on his website. 

Learn more about Tosca Lee on her website.