57 pages • 1 hour read
Tim O'BrienGoing After Cacciato
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1978A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien explores the Vietnam War through the experiences of Paul Berlin, who is part of a squad sent to retrieve a fellow soldier, Cacciato, who is attempting to walk to Paris. The novel intertwines three narrative threads: realistic war experiences, Paul's contemplations during night watches, and an imaginative pursuit of Cacciato across an international landscape. The book addresses sensitive themes such as war trauma, violence, and death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien masterfully blends reality and fantasy in a Vietnam War narrative. Reviews praise its innovative structure and deep character exploration, though some find the switching between real and surreal disorienting. Overall, it's acclaimed for its powerful storytelling and poignant examination of war's impact on soldiers.
Who Should Read Going After Cacciato?
Readers who appreciate Tim O'Brien's Going After Cacciato will enjoy its blend of surrealism and gritty reality, much like Joseph Heller's Catch-22 or Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. Fans of war literature that explores the psychological impact of combat and the nature of courage and confusion will find it compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
680L