LibGuides: Islington Branch Book Club: "The Yellow Birds" by Kevin Powers

About the Author: Kevin Powers

Kevin Powers is an American author and poet best known for his debut novel "The Yellow Birds," which explores the experiences of soldiers during the Iraq War. Here's a brief biography of Kevin Powers:

Early Life and Military Service: Kevin Powers was born on July 11, 1980, in Richmond, Virginia, USA. He grew up in Richmond and attended James River High School. After graduating, Powers enlisted in the United States Army at the age of seventeen, serving as a machine gunner in Iraq during the Iraq War.

Literary Career: After completing his military service, Powers attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He later pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poetry from the University of Texas at Austin's Michener Center for Writers.

Powers's experiences as a soldier during the Iraq War deeply influenced his writing. In 2012, he published his debut novel, "The Yellow Birds," which draws on his own experiences and explores the psychological impact of war on soldiers. The novel received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction.

In addition to his novel, Powers is also a published poet. His poetry has appeared in various literary journals and magazines. He is known for his spare and evocative verse, which often reflects on themes of war, memory, and loss.

Powers has been recognized for his literary contributions and his unique perspective as both a soldier and a writer. He has received awards and fellowships from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, and the MacDowell Colony.

Personal Life: Kevin Powers currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, where he continues to write and teach creative writing. He is actively involved in veterans' advocacy and frequently speaks about his experiences as a soldier and a writer.

Legacy and Recognition: Kevin Powers's writing has been praised for its authenticity, emotional resonance, and unflinching portrayal of the human cost of war. His work has received widespread acclaim from readers and critics alike, earning him a reputation as a talented and insightful voice in contemporary literature.

Powers's writing continues to resonate with audiences, offering a powerful and poignant exploration of war, trauma, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Watch "The Yellow Birds" (2017)
Against the explosive backdrop of the Iraq War, young soldiers Brandon Bartle and Daniel Murphy forge a deep bond of friendship. When tragedy strikes the platoon, one soldier must return home to face the hard truth behind the incident, and help a grieving mother find peace.

Synopsis

"The war tried to kill us in the spring." So begins this powerful account of friendship and loss. In Al Tafar, Iraq, twenty-one-year old Private Bartle and eighteen-year-old Private Murphy cling to life as their platoon launches a bloody battle for the city. Bound together since basic training when Bartle makes a promise to bring Murphy safely home, the two have been dropped into a war neither is prepared for. In the endless days that follow, the two young soldiers do everything to protect each other from the forces that press in on every side: the insurgents, physical fatigue, and the mental stress that comes from constant danger. As reality begins to blur into a hazy nightmare, Murphy becomes increasingly unmoored from the world around him and Bartle takes actions he could never have imagined. With profound emotional insight, especially into the effects of a hidden war on mothers and families at home, The Yellow Birds is a groundbreaking novel that is destined to become a classic.

Discussion Questions

The Reality of War:
- How does "The Yellow Birds" depict the realities of war, particularly the Iraq War? Discuss the novel's portrayal of combat, violence, and the psychological toll of warfare on soldiers.
- Explore the contrast between the idealized image of war and the brutal reality experienced by the characters. How do soldiers like Bartle and Murph grapple with the disconnect between their expectations and the harsh truths of combat?
Survivor's Guilt and Trauma:
- Analyze the theme of survivor's guilt and its impact on the characters, particularly Bartle. How does Bartle's experience in Iraq haunt him even after returning home? How does the trauma of war affect his relationships and his sense of self?
- Discuss the ways in which trauma manifests differently in Bartle and Murph. How do they cope with their experiences, and what coping mechanisms do they employ to numb their pain?
Friendship and Loyalty:
- Examine the bond between Bartle and Murph and its significance throughout the novel. How does their friendship serve as a source of comfort and support amidst the chaos of war? How do they navigate the challenges of loyalty and betrayal in the face of adversity?
- Discuss the impact of Murph's death on Bartle and the guilt he carries as a result. How does Bartle's sense of responsibility for Murph's fate shape his actions and his perception of himself?
Narrative Structure and Style:
- Reflect on the novel's narrative structure, which alternates between Bartle's time in Iraq and his struggles to readjust to civilian life. How does this dual timeline enhance the storytelling and deepen our understanding of Bartle's experiences?
- Discuss Kevin Powers's writing style and use of imagery to evoke the atmosphere of war. How does his prose capture the sensory details and emotional intensity of combat?
The Impact of War on Homefront:
- Explore the theme of the homefront and its portrayal in the novel. How do Bartle's interactions with his family and friends back home reveal the ripple effects of war on civilian life?
- Discuss the challenges faced by soldiers like Bartle when reintegrating into civilian society. How do they struggle to bridge the gap between their wartime experiences and the expectations of everyday life?
Moral Ambiguity and Consequences:
- Analyze the moral ambiguity of war and the difficult choices faced by soldiers in combat. How do characters like Bartle grapple with the ethical dilemmas of killing and survival in a hostile environment?
- Discuss the consequences of Bartle's actions in Iraq and the moral weight he carries as a result. How do his decisions on the battlefield continue to haunt him long after the war is over?
The Title and Symbolism:
- Reflect on the significance of the title, "The Yellow Birds," and its symbolism throughout the novel. How do the yellow birds represent innocence, freedom, and the longing for peace amidst the chaos of war?
- Discuss the recurring imagery of birds and flight in the novel and its thematic implications for characters like Bartle and Murph.
The Aftermath of War:
- Reflect on the novel's portrayal of the aftermath of war and the challenges faced by veterans like Bartle in reintegrating into society. How do Bartle's struggles with PTSD, survivor's guilt, and alienation reflect broader issues within the veteran community?
- Discuss the novel's exploration of the long-term psychological and emotional scars of war and the difficulties faced by veterans in seeking help and support.

MLN Materials

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large print book

Ebook Versions

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Audiobook Versions

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The Things They Cannot Say by Kevin Sites
Call Number: 355.0092 Sites

In The Things They Cannot Say, eleven soldiers and Marines display a courage that transcends battlefield heroics--they share the truth about their wars. For each it means something different: one struggles to recover from a head injury he believes has stolen his ability to love, another attempts to make amends for the killing of an innocent man, while yet another finds respect for the enemy fighter who tried to kill him.
The Good Soldiers by David Finkel
Call Number: 956.7 Finkel

It was the last-chance moment of the war. In January 2007, President George W. Bush announced a new strategy for Iraq. He called it the surge. "Many listening tonight will ask why this effort will succeed when previous operations to secure Baghdad did not. Well, here are the differences," he told a skeptical nation. Among those listening were the young, optimistic army infantry soldiers of the 2-16, the battalion nicknamed the Rangers. About to head to a vicious area of Baghdad, they decided the difference would be them. Fifteen months later, the soldiers returned home forever changed. Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter David Finkel was with them in Bagdad, and almost every grueling step of the way. What was the true story of the surge? And was it really a success? Those are the questions he grapples with in his remarkable report from the front lines. Combining the action of Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down with the literary brio of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried , The Good Soldiers is an unforgettable work of reportage. And in telling the story of these good soldiers, the heroes and the ruined, David Finkel has also produced an eternal tale--not just of the Iraq War, but of all wars, for all time.
The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dau
Call Number: FICTION Dau

Jonas is fifteen when his family is killed during an errant U.S. military operation in an unnamed Muslim country. With the help of an international relief organization, he is sent to America, where he struggles to assimilate-foster family, school, a first love. Eventually, he tells a court-mandated counselor and therapist about a U.S. soldier, Christopher Henderson, responsible for saving his life on the tragic night in question. Christopher's mother, Rose, has dedicated her life to finding out what really happened to her son, who disappeared after the raid in which Jonas' village was destroyed. When Jonas meets Rose, a shocking and painful secret gradually surfaces from the past, and builds to a shattering conclusion that haunts long after the final page. Told in spare, evocative prose, The Book of Jonas is about memory, about the terrible choices made during war, and about what happens when foreign disaster appears at our own doorstep. It is a rare and virtuosic novel from an exciting new writer to watch.
Wynne's War by Aaron Gwyn
Call Number: FICTION Gwyn

When Corporal Elijah Russell's superb horsemanship is revealed during a firefight in northern Iraq, the young Army Ranger is assigned to an elite Special Forces unit preparing to stage a secret mission in eastern Afghanistan. Elijah's task is to train the Green Berets -- fiercely loyal to their enigmatic commander, Captain Wynne -- to ride the horses they will use to execute this mission through treacherous mountain terrain. But as the team presses farther into enemy territory, the nature of their operation only becomes more mysterious and Wynne's charismatic power takes on a darker cast. Ultimately, Elijah finds himself forced to make a choice: on one side, his best friend and his most deeply held beliefs; on the other, a commanding officer driven by a messianic zeal for his mission.
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mojha Kahf
Call Number: FICTION Kahf

Syrian immigrant Khadra Shamy is growing up in a devout, tightly knit Muslim family in 1970s Indiana, at the crossroads of bad polyester and Islamic dress codes. Along with her brother Eyad and her African-American friends, Hakim and Hanifa, she bikes the Indianapolis streets exploring the fault-lines between "Muslim" and "American." When her picture-perfect marriage goes sour, Khadra flees to Syria and learns how to pray again. On returning to America she works in an eastern state -- taking care to stay away from Indiana, where the murder of her friend Tayiba's sister by Klan violence years before still haunts her. But when her job sends her to cover a national Islamic conference in Indianapolis, she's back on familiar ground: Attending a concert by her brother's interfaith band The Clash of Civilizations, dodging questions from the "aunties" and "uncles," and running into the recently divorced Hakim everywhere. Beautifully written and featuring an exuberant cast of characters, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf charts the spiritual and social landscape of Muslims in middle America, from five daily prayers to the Indy 500 car race. It is a riveting debut from an important new voice.