For getting inside the mind of a Vietnam vet, this novel is spot on. It tells the story of Tom's journey by bus ten years after his return from the war, from sister to sister to mentor to sister to girlfriend, all the while reliving his war experience. Of course it's an emotional journey as well, and his preoccupation with King Lear provides the framework for many of his thoughts and feelings. Readers will gain new understanding of Shakespeare's tragedy as well as the relentless costs of war for the participants. The stream of consciousness and dialog are sometimes blurred, which works well, given the nature of the narrative. ( )