22 November 2014

Rites of Passage Read Along: Week Four--Goodnight, Saigon


Rites of Passage Read-Along Week Four:
FINISH THE BOOK!

You've made it, recruits. We're in the home stretch. At the end of this week, if you survive, you will officially be cadets. You will have earned your place at the DMA and I look forward to hearing from you when you do!

As you read these chapters, you'll come upon one of my absolute favorite scenes to write. It's a smoke show scene that takes place in the dark. You'll know it when you get there. Once you do, listen to this song:



This is the song that's playing in the background during that moment. This song, Goodnight Saigon by Billy Joel, is, by far, the most important song of my military school career. It was played after many smoke shows in Alpha Company. After we were exhausted, trembling, and ready to collapse, we'd get into push-up position, my drill sergeant would turn off the lights, and we'd all lean on each other while we listened to this song. There was rarely a time I didn't cry hearing this song after one of those moments, and, even now, hearing the choppers at the beginning takes me back there immediately.

I hope you enjoy the end of the book as much as I do! As usual, if you have questions, leave them in the comments and I'll try to answer them!

Happy reading!

Peace,

Joy

5 comments:

Uptown Funk said...

I loves this book. Honestly one of the best books I've read in a long time. Just one question. Why didn't sam and drill have a "happy ending"? Do they stay together in secret? I know there is not a sequel (Plz have a sequel) but what happens with them

Joy N. Hensley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joy N. Hensley said...

Thanks a lot for reading! I'm so glad you enjoyed Rites of Passage. I get this question a lot, and while I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling the ending for others, I will say this: I want them together, too. But life doesn't always work out like we want it to. And while I wanted a different ending, I believe (and I hope you do, too) that the story wasn't about their relationship. It was about Sam taking the first step toward who she is going to be as an adult. She needed to take that step alone.

Anonymous said...

Idk if the comment I sent you got uploaded?

Joy N. Hensley said...

I didn't see one Liz--try again?