Customer Reviews

The Phony Marine: A Novel

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't usually buy hardcover fiction unless it's deeply discounted. However, the title and cover of this book locked onto me like a ticked-off drill instructor. After leafing through it, I immediately purchased "The Phony Marine." I'm glad I did.

Hugo Marder failed to realize either of his two big dreams. He never joined the Marines, and he didn't become a cartoonist. Instead of serving in Vietnam when he was eligible, he took advantage of a college deferment to avoid the draft. And cartooning gave way to a predictable lifestyle selling men's clothing in Washington DC. Now, Hugo's a fiftysomething divorced guy whose average existence is wearing him down. However, things change after an impulse online purchase of a Silver Star award for combat valor.

When the medal arrives, Hugo decides to wear its lapel pin while strolling around the city. Usually he blends right in. But the pin makes him stand out. People acknowledge Hugo with respectful nods and outright praise. He even scores a complimentary meal at a local restaurant. These positive reactions galvanize Hugo to take on the persona of the Marine he's always longed to be. He shaves his head, gets fit with a Marine Corps workout, learns the lingo, and constructs a fictitious military back-story. But how long can Hugo's deception go undiscovered - especially when he becomes a real hero?

"The Phony Marine" is a lean and mean read. I wish it were longer because I wanted to see Hugo go even deeper with some of the philosophical issues behind his charade. However, I was still caught up with Hugo's quest for a meaningful life. The author took an individual that many would consider a pathetic dirt bag and made him into a sympathetic character (much like Jeff Lindsay did to good effect in "Darkly Dreaming Dexter"). At the heart of Hugo's facade is a desire for significance. Although one can't condone the deceptive aspect, at least Hugo took a series of gambles to better himself. In today's risk-adverse culture, how many men can say the same?

Some of the situations that drive the plot are somewhat contrived, like the Thai restaurant bear-claw soup fiasco. In addition, it would've been interesting to see Hugo relate to female characters with more complex personalities. However, through Hugo's journey the author succeeded in touching on some important truths about manhood, integrity, heroism, and the longing for relevance. For that, I commend him. I recommend "The Phony Marine" to any man who wonders what might've been and longs for an adventurous life. But I wouldn't advise wearing medals you didn't earn.

I really wanted to like this book. But it was short, more like a long short story than a novel, there wasn't nearly the "exploring hero worship" that was hinted at in the summary paragraph, and the ending was unbelievable. Wouldn't happen in DC! That having been said, I was curious to see what would happen next and I did finish the book. I was just disappointed that there wasn't more to it, it could have gone much deeper.

In a remarkably unique twist on "identity theft", Lehrer's main character transforms to a US marine from a menswear salesman, mostly with the help of Ebay auctions and other Internet sources. The plot and the characters are well presented, while the narration seems a lit labored at times. Nevertheless, the twists in the storyline and the sheer uniqueness and audacity of the plot keeps the reader very engaged throughout this book. An excellent read.

Lehrer's 16th book is a masterful tale that touches upon a number of psychological traumas that swim quietly below the shark infested waters of our psyche. Who are we and why are we the people that we seem to be or perhaps really are? Confused? That's my point and this book will leave you wanting more. Can a change in wardrobe and a haircut really turn you into a hero? Is behavior fixed at birth or is it simply situational? I am of the opinion that we all contain a little bit of Hugo in our souls. For some it finds expression in sports; for others music; for others fashion. Few act out fantasies on such a grand scale and with such discipline that they become the "it" that they pursue.

Lehrer, a former Marine, understands his character, (perhaps honed by years of interviewing individuals who are in a constant state of transition), and the grand tableau, Washington, DC, upon which he sets his story. Hugo's wife Emily is a particularly compelling character resembling say about 10 million people that I have met while residing in Washington keenly aware of her need to live vicariously through the Congressman, Senator, or cabinet member that she serves all the while having totally lost her direction in life. In a manner the author suggests that perhaps Hugo Marder is less of a loser than one would want to believe. At least he figured out what it is he should have been and in the grand scheme of things self-actualization before death is a victory.

Hugo Marder (perhaps Hugo Marder = You go Murder) steals a dead man's glory. A crime? Not sure you decide. But my guess is Second Lt. Ronald Derby Cunningham would have been proud in an odd way to help save another life. Inspiration comes from many areas and in a world that has become increasingly reliant on technology, it was only a matter of time before you could buy it on EBay. Semper Fi.

G.Gregory Boyd
CPL USMC
BLT 1/3
Weapons Plt. 0331

I suppose I'm on a Jim Lehrer marathon now, after reading "No Certain Rest" and "Mack to the Rescue." I had never read him before but I really enjoy his free-wheeling, easy way of telling a story. I enjoyed "The Phony Marine" and it was obvious that the Lehrer family had enjoyed some years with the Corps. I also understand men wanting to belong to such as brotherhood. I was never in the service but was a policeman for 45 years, and know about the "tightness and bonding" that take place with partners and colleagues under dangerous circumstances. My only complaint about this story was that it was too short and I wanted Hugo to come to his senses and develop his character a little more detailed. For Hugo, it was a long stretch from being a salesman to a decorated Marine. Civilans might believe him for awhile, but a veteran marine will see through his lies in minutes. A good read! I liked it!

Generally speaking, I loved this book. The topic is very different and as a military vet (squid), this kind of thing hits home to heart. One sometimes runs into 'war heros' that can't really talk the lingo, etc.

About the book: Lehrer follows the transformation of a suit salesman into a "Marine" after he purchases someone else's Silver Star, one of the higer decorations for Valor. The book explores the man's emotions and interactions with others as he goes through this process and how his
"transformation" changes his actions in various situation.

The book is decently written and the story is compelling; my only beef is that it was too short.

I was an enlisted Marine for six years, from 1986 to 1992, so I certainly understand the brotherhood of the Corps. I also admire Jim Lehrer enormously as a journalist on PBS.

Having said that, I thought this novel was bland, and quite sentimental. The real fantasy here is not so much that a boring loser could gain a fabulous new life just by wearing a Silver Star, but rather that we still live in a country where "everyone" loves the Marine Corps and "all" Marines are honored by citizens from "all" walks of life.

It's odd that Jim Lehrer works in a profession dominated by far left types and yet he never confronts the ugliness of the Sixties or the pathological hatred the Left still harbors for military personnel. One of the most frustrating and humiliating moments of my life was watching my best friends ship out for combat during Desert Storm and then reading a NY Times column by liberal columnist Anna Quindlen in which she dismissed the entire military (all four branches, not just Marines) as "some young men and women not smart, not rich, and not directed enough for college."

Clearly a woman like Anna Quindlen is not going respect a man who wears a Silver Star -- whether he earned it or not. Indeed, Lehrer would have been more honest (and more original) if putting on the medal had caused BAD things to happen in this man's life. Such as being hassled at work, fired from his job, or having spoiled, silly rich women laugh at him, calling him a loser and a freak.

By sidestepping the rot at the heart of this country's liberal media elite, Lehrer has missed a chance to really say something about what Marines really suffer and really sacrifice in corrupt, decadent post-Vietnam America. He knows where the problem is, but has no stomach for a real fight with his own colleagues. At the end of the day all he really wants is to take a time machine back to the Fifties. Note well that all the "authentic" Gyrene chatter about eating SOS is a good fifty years out of date. Marines eat MRE's now, and have for the last 25 years at least.

And why is it that all the Marine heroes in this book are officers, not enlisted men? When I was in boot camp at Parris Island (Platoon 3020, March 1987) our toughest Drill Instructor pointed out that Dan Daly and Smedley Butler both won two Medals of Honor, but that there's a Camp Butler in Okinawa and no Camp Dailey. Because Dan Daly was an enlisted man.

So Jim Lehrer has written a bad book, but he's still a good man. And Dan Daly and Smedley Butler are still heroes. And Anna Quindlen wouldn't squat to pea if they were both on fire!

This has all the makings of a great book -- great idea, decent characters, solid plot and very good writing. The guy buys a Silver Star Medal on ebay and tries to live out a fantasy of being something he isn't. The first half of the book is most enjoyable. Then all of a sudden the second half was rushed to an ending that was most predictable. I almost put this book down twice but I kept on going because it is a short read. Lehrer could have done so much more this idea but didn't. If you can get a used copy for a couple of bucks, then buy it. Otherwise, save your money.

It's a Must Read for every former Marine and all those men and women -- who would have liked to be a Marine.

In "The Phony Marine" author Jim Lehrer tells the story of a Walter Mitty type character who had settled into a mundane life as a 50-year old divorced clothing salesman in Washington, D. C. His hobby is collecting cuff links and other interesting old clothing accessories on EBay.

On a whim one day, he bids and wins a Silver Star which had been won by a Marine Corps officer in Viet Nam. From here, the author gives a quick study of the sickness some people have in getting the false respect from the heroic actions of others. But the main character, Hugo Marder, soon realizes that he must build a support story for the award he wears in his lapel, and goes on an aggressive program of learning everything about marines and the history of the winner's unit in Viet Nam. Further, he must look the part which leads to a trimming down physically and changing his entire bearing.

A co-worker and friend knows about the fraud, and makes the valid point that there are many heroes in society but only rarely does the opportunity present itself to display it. Opportunity is everything, and one just never knows how they will react until actually faced with the challenge.

As events would have it, this new persona has an opportunity to become a real hero in a page-turning adventure at a court house where he had simply shown up for jury duty. Even with his new-found fame as a real hero, he still struggles with the fear of exposure of his Silver Star lie, and his own sense of honor, and he sets about to do something about it.

Author Jim Lehrer is an award-winning TV personality, a former Marine Corps officer as was this father and brother. Former 'Corps vets will get some inside chuckles (Marder suddenly realizes he doesn't know was "S.O.S." is) but the narrative will be enjoyed by all. This is a short book and a real quick read, but a solid 4-Star effort.