A true literary triumph.
Fresh off a tour in Iraq, Sergeant JP Grimm has his wife back in his arms at last and can finally enjoy the sound of his son’s laughter in person. But for this no-nonsense Marine, civilian life isn’t quite what he thought it would be. He finds it difficult to connect with his little boy, has developed a hair-trigger temper, and rampant paranoia has begun to set in. More than the long months away from his family, however, it is JP’s traumatic experiences in the desert that leave him spiraling out of control once he’s home. Struggling with the overwhelming burden of guilt, mingled with regret and feelings of worthlessness, JP lands on an equitable solution. Suicide. After all, “I’m the worst thing to ever happen to this family.” Certain he has nothing left to live for, JP presses his pistol to his skull and welcomes death. But the universe has different ideas.
No Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen is a resolute PTSD story featuring richly formed characters, shocking developments, and an overwhelmingly robust sense of family. The author makes use of so many contrasting elements, from differing landscapes to the shifting of JP’s voice to Sgt. Grimm when his composure drifts, which all come together to form a seamless, cohesive whole. The narrative flows like a delicate piece of calming music, yet it is, at the same time, foreboding. Poetic prose is interspersed with thought-provoking verse, adding a layer of refinement to an otherwise gritty novel that lays bare the heartbreaks of war. The text is laden with just enough military terminology to add authenticity, but not so much as to exclude or overwhelm readers. Patchen’s writing is so sharp that it feels as though you’re right there with JP’s men, huddled for shelter as shells rain down and gunpowder and dust choke your lungs. JP’s journey to redemption mingles with powerful dialogue and moving conversations, sucking you in emotionally and then spitting you out along with the blistering anguish. With a brilliant portrayal of PTSD and one of the most unexpected plot pivots, No Pistol Tastes the Same is an enthralling novel with an intricate balance of grim realities and scenes of pure humanity. A true literary triumph!
