BATTLE DRESS was a solid glimpse into the mysterious world of West Point, although Andis internal conflicts were a little roughly drawn.
Creative insults and capital letters flood the pages of BATTLE DRESS, appropriate for the strict discipline surrounding West Point. I enjoyed how the book so thoroughly created the terrifyingly intimidating environment of the Beast: small details such as the different uniforms required for different activities, the time (these cadets have to get up unbelievably early), and the language really contribute to making you feel as if you were experiencing Beast toowithout the ridiculously early wake-up calls and five-mile runs, that is.
So I appreciated the details that made Beast come to life for me, but felt much less connected to all the characters, including Andi. There is a sort of running conflict between Andi and her unsupportive, mentally abusive family, and Andis feminist side. What exactly a kind of space does a female occupy in the still male-dominated military world? Andis feminine roommate, Gabrielle, and a handful of stereotypical sexist squad members contribute to the theme of womens rights in the military, but in a way that always felt very glossed over and underdeveloped.
Interestingly enough, I think this book mightve worked better for me if it had just stuck with a straightforward presentation of Beast and not tried so hard to make Andi have complicated emotional issues. I felt like Andis struggles to overcome her familys disappointment, contributing to and combined with her obsession with proving herself in Beast, lent a forced feel to the story. No, Im not questioning the fact that she has family issuesbut issues as delicate as that one need to be carefully and thoroughly developed, and I think that BATTLE DRESS may have relied a bit too much on Andis familys inarguable meanness to carry that part of the plot along.
Overall, however, BATTLE DRESS will make a great read for anyone interested in West Point or the military training culture. Amy Efaws personal experience translates well onto the page, and the book does not disappoint in that aspect.
Creative insults and capital letters flood the pages of BATTLE DRESS, appropriate for the strict discipline surrounding West Point. I enjoyed how the book so thoroughly created the terrifyingly intimidating environment of the Beast: small details such as the different uniforms required for different activities, the time (these cadets have to get up unbelievably early), and the language really contribute to making you feel as if you were experiencing Beast toowithout the ridiculously early wake-up calls and five-mile runs, that is.
So I appreciated the details that made Beast come to life for me, but felt much less connected to all the characters, including Andi. There is a sort of running conflict between Andi and her unsupportive, mentally abusive family, and Andis feminist side. What exactly a kind of space does a female occupy in the still male-dominated military world? Andis feminine roommate, Gabrielle, and a handful of stereotypical sexist squad members contribute to the theme of womens rights in the military, but in a way that always felt very glossed over and underdeveloped.
Interestingly enough, I think this book mightve worked better for me if it had just stuck with a straightforward presentation of Beast and not tried so hard to make Andi have complicated emotional issues. I felt like Andis struggles to overcome her familys disappointment, contributing to and combined with her obsession with proving herself in Beast, lent a forced feel to the story. No, Im not questioning the fact that she has family issuesbut issues as delicate as that one need to be carefully and thoroughly developed, and I think that BATTLE DRESS may have relied a bit too much on Andis familys inarguable meanness to carry that part of the plot along.
Overall, however, BATTLE DRESS will make a great read for anyone interested in West Point or the military training culture. Amy Efaws personal experience translates well onto the page, and the book does not disappoint in that aspect.
I like this author a lot. While I preferred her book "After" to this one, "Battle Dress" was also very good. In fact, I took it to my son's baseball game to read and I *NEVER* read at my kids' games! I missed several key plays because I was so engrossed. I do recommend this book. even for folks who ordinarily don't read books that are military related (I don't either!).
