James Boschert's riveting novel When the Jungle is Silent is dedicated "to the men and women who served in the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966." Boschert artfully characterizes these warriors in the engaging, earnest, and courageous persona of Welsh rifleman Jason Griffith.
Like all other well-developed protagonists, Jason is thrust into dramatic situations in which he experiences a series of life-changing encounters. These encounters--whether they be as novice warrior, eager lover, or singular hero--offer both Jason and his fortunate readers a succession of epiphanies large and small.
Fighting for the British against the Indonesians, Jason finds himself in one of the world's densest jungles, a setting itself "neutral," yet fostering both cover and calamity to the soldiers within its awesome and awful vitality. Just as Faulkner's land engages human characters in his short stories and novels, so, too, does Boschert's jungle act in concert with or in opposition to Jason and the other soldiers. Sometimes it hides them from the enemy. Often it seems an agent of the enemy--its humidity and infection-causing muck exacerbating injuries, its layers of life and shades of light and darkness juxtaposing appearances and realities. When is a hanging branch a snake? Will the dank wet turn skin to fungus?
If nature's raw power is not enough to test Jason's survival skills, the brutal warfare that inflicts devastating injuries upon his battle partner, Dave, catapults the young rifleman from innocence to experience. He comes of age, realizing that loss and gain, death and life, are often determined in an instant.
Megan Hansen, a young Californian Peace Corps volunteer, provides escape from the vivid and fast-paced battle scenes. Jason's charming courting of her, a young woman sexually more experienced than he, offers a connection to the world we call "normal." While Jason believes Megan is "out of his league," this reader finds her one of the most likable characters in fiction for her natural decency and gentle radiance.
Anchored in the history of a particular war, Boschert's novel provides an eye-opening reading experience. Boschert's fluent narration, crisp dialogue, apt and specific detail, along with superb pacing, make this book a "must read." Highly recommended."
Mary Sharnick is the author of Thirst, A Novel, a tale of intrigue and assassination set in 16th century Venice.
