THE VIETNAM WAR CHANGED AMERICA.TWO BEST FRIENDS WEREN’T SPARED.ONLY ONE WAS DRAFTED.It’s 1968. America is rocked by assassinations, war protests and political upheaval. Alan Young, 21, is brooding over having been dumped by his girlfriend. This won’t last long. His draft notice is in the mail. Stefan Kopinski isn’t about to let the war get in his way. He spends his days at the mercy of his … the mercy of his reckless ambition. When fate steps in, will he finally understand what has been right in front of him for 30 years?
Stefan’s Promise is the story of Alan and Stefan. Circumstances part them, and sharply diverging temperaments further erode their bond. Yet, Alan and Stefan are wrong in supposing their friendship has ended. It’s just getting started.
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Thank you IRead and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Stefan’s Promise
By: Sam Rennick
*REVIEW*
From the beginning, reading Stefan’s Promise was no small undertaking. It’s heavy, literally and figuratively, and requires attentiveness. I mention this not to intimidate but to encourage you to pick up this book and challenge yourself to read something authentic and moving. In my case, I found the story educational because of all the major wars, I know the least about Vietnam. It’s not a through and through war story, though. Divided into two parts, the story focuses on Alan and Stefan-beginning as college buddies-and the divergent paths their lives follow.
Part one is Alan’s story. Like so many young men of this era, Alan wanted no part of the war or the draft, but life is nothing if not ironic. When Alan received his draft notice, he vacated to Canada, thus becoming a draft dogger. This lifestyle, however, is not at all what Alan anticipated, and things don’t work out great for Alan. Eventually, his moral compass won out, and Alan returned to face the consequences of his actions. During this time, Stefan’s life took a very different course, and part two is Stefan’s story. He didn’t go to war because the system worked in his favor. Stefan became a workaholic lawyer with a nice family, and Alan fell away over time, despite letters he had written Stefan. It’s funny how some friendships survive despite a near lifetime of separation. When Alan is suddenly in need, Stefan is there without hesitation. The bond these two formed in college is strong and steadfast. They are loyal, trusting and accepting of one another. Alan and Stefan evaluate the choices they have made and try to better understand how they became who they are. What is really important? Have you wasted your life? If you looked back at your life right now, would you feel regret or satisfaction? Stefan’s Promise is a story about so many important and relevant topics, giving the reader so much to ponder. I am glad I read a story that encouraged genuine thought from me about things that matter, rather than a simple evaluation of whether I was entertained or not. This Vietnam era story is not for everyone, but if it appeals to your taste, then do try it because it’s worth the time and effort.
Stefan’s Promise is a great debut for Sam Rennick. It begins during the turmoil of 1968 with college best friends, Alan Young and Stefan Kopinski. During that period of time, there are protests all over the United States, assassinations of political and important civil rights leaders, and Vietnam War. The two friends soon find themselves at odds and, sadly, soon lose touch.
Stefan’s Promise is one of those unique novels that reads like a memoir of actual events and what feels like real people. I was engaged with this book from the start to finish. I have to admit, I was little intimidated with the size of it but quickly found out that the story flowed well and was easily able to turn the pages. I was intrigued with Alan and Stefan’s lives through the many decades and years. I was sorry to see that they lose their bond. I was not expecting where the two ended up. I really loved how the author was able to create relatable characters that was hard to forget long after I finished reading the last page.
I am giving Stefan’s Promise four and a half stars. I would love to read more by Mr Rennick in the future. I would love to find what other stories he comes up with. I highly recommend this one for readers who like to read a novel that invokes numerous emotions out of them, a sense of loyalty and friendship and one that can warm their heart and soul.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Stefan’s Promise was an interesting book to read. It is actually two books in one, the two stories written many years apart, but presented as a single novel. While both characters are a part of both books, the first half more intimately follows the life journey of Alan Young. The second focuses more on Stefan Kopinski’s, as well as bringing them back together.
The early setting is in university during the Vietnam war and the two young men are fast friends. But as each graduates (not the same year), their lives take different paths. Alan receives his draft notice. As a conscientious objector, he heads to Canada where he finds life it not as hoped. There is little work and a fair amount of prejudice towards draft dodgers. Even his desire to head back to university is thwarted. He marries and has a child, but finds life unsatisfying. In the end, Alan makes a decision to own up to his choices and head back to the US to face the music. He is a man whose personal sense of right and wrong drives him forward despite the consequences.
Stefan on the other hand manages to get an exception by working the system. He finishes his law degree and after a lot of door knocking, lands a job that puts him on the road to success as a lawyer. As his career rises, he changes to a wife more in line with the image he needs. He is consumed by his work. Although Alan sends regular letters, Stefan chooses to let that friendship slide. He has come to consider it a university friendship that has nothing to offer given how their paths diverged. Then Alan faces a serious crisis. Stefan not only flies to help, but begins to get some clarity on his life and the choices he has made.
I enjoyed reading Stefan’s Promise. I found it a little pat that most things went wrong for one character and most things went right for the other. But the way they were brought back together and how the story wrapped up was interesting. I was intrigued to read in the interview he did put Stefan’s Promise forward as a two book series and found little interest – they preferred a single book – as I think it would have benefited by being two. But that is just my personal opinion.