"Dog Soldiers" is a novel written by American author Robert Stone. It was first published in 1974 and is considered one of Stone's most notable works. The novel is often associated with the counterculture and the Vietnam War era and explores themes of disillusionment, moral ambiguity, and the consequences of choices.
The story is set primarily in the 1970s and follows the experiences of journalist John Converse and his wife Marge, who are living in California. Converse has returned from Vietnam with a stash of heroin that he intends to sell to a powerful drug dealer named Hicks. He hopes that the drug deal will provide him with enough money to escape his mounting debts and personal problems.
Converse seeks the help of his old friend Ray Hicks, a charismatic and ruthless figure involved in the drug trade. However, as Converse and Marge become embroiled in the dangerous world of drug trafficking, they find themselves caught in a web of deception, violence, and betrayal. The novel explores their moral dilemmas and the choices they make as they navigate this treacherous landscape.
The title "Dog Soldiers" refers to the name given to Converse's group of friends during their time in Vietnam. It also alludes to the drug dealers and users who become ensnared in the drug trade, likened to soldiers in an unwinnable war.
Robert Stone's novel is known for its dark and gritty portrayal of the post-Vietnam era and its exploration of the moral and psychological toll of war. It delves into the themes of addiction, corruption, and the consequences of one's actions.
"Dog Soldiers" received critical acclaim and won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1975. The novel is often considered a classic of American literature and remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that captures the complexities of its time.
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