The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

Set during the Viet Nam War, The Lotus Eaters is the story of Helen Adams, a young American photojournalist who places herself right in the middle of the action. Helen comes to Viet Nam with the intent of capturing the real story of the war and how it is affecting the soldiers and the people of Viet Nam. As Saigon begins to fall in 1975, Helen and her lover Linh must make their way to the U.S. embassy before it is too late.


This is a story of struggle, triumph, love and ultimately the devastation of war. Helen must deal with her issues as she moves from a relationship with charismatic photojournalist Sam Darrow, the first man she loves. She must also find her place as a woman in a foreign, war torn country and her role as a photojournalist.  Linh must also deal with is feelings of loss and betrayal as he tries to find his place in Helen's world. Can they survive or will the war ultimately tear them from each other.

This book is beautifully written. The author does an amazing job of capturing the heartbreak and devastation the Viet Nam conflict caused not only on the lives of its citizens but on those who were pulled in from around the world. The characters in the story are real and flawed and adds so much to the story. Helen is a woman trying to find her place in the world and her camera helps her to do that. Although this book is a work of fiction, the author did an excellent job of researching how life for not only the soldiers but the journalist would have been. Its brings a grittiness to the story that pulls the reader in and doesn't let them go until that last page.