By: Richard Hooker

The classic-ish 1968 tale by a former MASH doctor following the Korean War exploits of Hawkeye, Trapper John, and Duke. Today its more remembered for spawning the film directed by Robert Altman and starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, and Tom Skerritt. And the hit TV show starring Alan Alda and Loretta Swit. Each incarnation is different, so I will try to limit my thoughts to the original novel.

The book is picaresque in nature. The Swampmen are not “bad guys” but bend and break the rules so that they can maintain their sanity. A bit like a more sophomoric Catch-21. Silly names, nicknames, and stories, based around Richard Hornberger’s time in the service it follows some 20-30 year old doctors as they save lives and make hay across Korea. Not bad, I can see why it was an iconic late 60s-early 70s property. There are words, phrases, and ideas that were probably regressive in 1968…but not uncommon. Reading it, thanks to a Kindle deal was an interesting experience.

So, the main stories from the novel I’ve grown up with. As a kid, MASH was a big part of my parents viewing habits, both when it ran and on reruns. I have seen the movie a couple of times, too. If you like MASH the movie, you can see what Altman and company were working with. If you loved seasons 1 & 2 of the show, by all means read it. If you liked the later seasons, that were heavily influenced by Alda, just watch the movie.

224 Pages

3/5