Levin-based author Carole Brungar is returning to Vietnam for the final instalment of her Nam series of books. The series has already won numerous prizes and accolades; among them the American California Dreamin’ Award, The Beverly Hills Book Awards in the military fiction category, a gold medal in the Independent Publishers Awards and a Military Writers Society of America silver award. As well as being a best-selling author of numerous novels, Carole also works as a school librarian.
In Carole’s latest book The Return, the story series comes full circle and moves to the present day. The once abandoned Vietnam war child orphan Jackie Coles is now, on the surface, a shining success story but she finds out that something crucial to her life is missing. The Return is a love story, a story about family and friends and, at its heart, an emotional journey of self-discovery. Whilst set in contemporary New Zealand, The Return still has (like all the other titles in the series) the continuing historical context of the Vietnam War at its core. Carole says of The Return – “it ties up all the loose ends and gave a feel-good closure to the series, whilst also being able to read as a stand-alone”.
And when Carole agreed to be interviewed about The Return and the Nam series, we jumped at the chance. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Carole for taking time out of her busy schedule to do this fascinating and informative interview.
For more information about The Return and Carole’s other novels, check out her website.
This interview was done in conjunction with Caffeine and Aspirin, the arts and entertainment review show on Radioactive FM. You can hear the full interview, as well as find a selection of Carole Brungar’s books available to borrow, below.
The Nam Shadow : a novel / Brungar, Carole
“To carefree, naive, young soldier Terry Edwards, life’s an adventure. But how easy is it to cope with the extreme fear and intense emotions that come with the war in Vietnam, when you know life balances on the accuracy of a bullet in meeting its target? Sometimes, taking chances is the only way to stay alive.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The Nam legacy : a novel / Brungar, Carole
“The Nam Legacy is an epic love story set during the 60’s and 70’s. When the Rolling Stones and Jefferson Airplane drove parents crazy, teenagers found sexual freedom and peace slogans covered placards. When the Vietnam War abducted the nation’s young men and sent them to fight in New Zealand’s most controversial campaign.After eighteen months in Vietnam, New Zealand soldier Jack Coles thought killing others to stay alive would be the hardest thing he would ever have to live with. He was wrong. Although the nightmare of what he saw and did haunt him constantly, what tortures him the most, is what he has left behind. ‘Not everyone who lost his life in Vietnam died there, not everyone who came home from Vietnam ever left there.’The Nam Legacy is Jack’s story.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
