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On the Rainy River
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Tim O'Brien
118 books2,888 followersTim O’Brien matriculated at Macalester College. Graduation in 1968 found him with a BA in political science and a draft notice.
O’Brien was against the war but reported for service and was sent to Vietnam with what has been called the “unlucky” Americal division due to its involvement in the My Lai massacre in 1968, an event which figures prominently in In the Lake of the Woods. He was assigned to 3rd Platoon, A Company, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry, as an infantry foot soldier. O’Brien’s tour of duty was 1969-70.
After Vietnam he became a graduate student at Harvard. No doubt he was one of very few Vietnam veterans there at that time, much less Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) holders. Having the opportunity to do an internship at the Washington Post, he eventually left Harvard to become a newspaper reporter. O'Brien's career as a reporter gave way to his fiction writing after publication of his memoir If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Send Me Home.
Tim O'Brien is now a visiting professor and endowed chair at Texas State University - San Marcos (formerly Southwest Texas State University) where he teaches in the Creative Writing Program.
O’Brien was against the war but reported for service and was sent to Vietnam with what has been called the “unlucky” Americal division due to its involvement in the My Lai massacre in 1968, an event which figures prominently in In the Lake of the Woods. He was assigned to 3rd Platoon, A Company, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry, as an infantry foot soldier. O’Brien’s tour of duty was 1969-70.
After Vietnam he became a graduate student at Harvard. No doubt he was one of very few Vietnam veterans there at that time, much less Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) holders. Having the opportunity to do an internship at the Washington Post, he eventually left Harvard to become a newspaper reporter. O'Brien's career as a reporter gave way to his fiction writing after publication of his memoir If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Send Me Home.
Tim O'Brien is now a visiting professor and endowed chair at Texas State University - San Marcos (formerly Southwest Texas State University) where he teaches in the Creative Writing Program.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 30, 2015
My favorite part was lodge keeper who didn't ask any questions and let the narrator stay for six days. That is a rare and beautiful thing: for a person to meet you during a time when you are going through a personal crisis, recognize that you are in such a state, and then asking you no questions welcoming you in, helping you out, all in a cool calm luxuriously freeing nonjudgemental silence.
October 12, 2022
(read for uni, 3.5 ⭐ rounded up)
March 18, 2018
On the Rainy River by Tim O'Brien is a short story from the book The Things They Carried published in 1990. The main subject is American society’s attitude toward the Vietnam War.
The narrator tells a story from the perspective of a 21-year-old young man whose name is also Tim O'Brien. It must be a real story about life experiences which the author had.
Young Tim O'Brien got drafted into the military, which means he had to fight in the Vietnam war, a war he hated. He couldn't believe that it happened to him. Here is a description of his thoughts:
"I remember opening up the letter, scanning the first few lines, feeling the blood go thick behind my eyes. I remember a sound in my head. It wasn't thinking, it was just a silent howl. A million things all at once—I was too good for this war. Too smart, too compassionate, too everything. It couldn't happen. I was above it. ... A mistake, maybe—a foul-up in the paperwork."
The father asked Tim what his plans were. He answered “Nothing. Wait.” The small town where Tim lived was near the Canadian border, and he was plagued with tempting thoughts to escape the draft. The thoughts were abstract and vague in the beginning. But they appeared in his mind again and again.
"I could see particular shapes and images, the sorry details of my own future— a hotel room in Winnipeg, a battered old suitcase, my father's eyes as I tried to explain myself over the telephone. I could almost hear his voice, and my mother's. Run, I'd think. Then I'd think, Impossible. Then a second later I'd think, Run."
That was a moral dilemma. Tim feared the war, but he also feared exile. He feared to lose the respect of his parents. The people in his hometown were conservative. Tim imagined how his neighbors would sit in the cafe talking about "the young O'Brien kid, how the damned sissy had taken off for Canada."
Being in a state of despair, Tim would drive for hours in his father's car without any destination in mind. In one morning he "began looking for a place to lie low for a day or two." He randomly found an old fishing resort on "the Rainy River, which separates Minnesota from Canada, and which for me separated one life from another."
Tim arrived at the fishing resort. It was a turning point of the story. He wrote, that "The man who opened the door that day is the hero of my life. How do I say this without sounding sappy? Blurt it out—the man saved me." He was eighty-one years old, Elroy Berdahl.
If we followed the plot we would see little actions. The next six days Tim and Elroy spent fishing at a resort, hiking into the woods. The tourist season ended, the place was empty. The old man "never asked the obvious questions: Why was I there? Why alone? Why so preoccupied? If Elroy was curious about any of this, he was careful never to put it into words."
It was obvious that the old man knew about the harsh choice which young men faced receiving the draft. Escaping to Canada was one of the possible options for conscripts who didn't want to go to the War.
There are two episodes which exposed the attitude of the old Elroy to his guest.
The first occurred when Tim paid for staying in the resort, Elroy in contrary to the usual price suggested to take into account Tim's work in the fishing resort (Tim helped Elroy in the same little chores to "get the place ready for winter, sweeping down the cabins and hauling in the boats"). Elroy offered a higher wage than Tim's obligations. As a result, Elroy returned the money back adding some money over. Tim refused to take the money. Elroy was persistent: “Pick it up. Get yourself a haircut.” The money lay on the table for the rest of the evening. It was still there when I went back to my cabin. In the morning though, I found an envelope tacked to my door. Inside were the four fifties and a two-word note that said EMERGENCY FUND. The man knew."
The second episode occurred when the old man took Tim out for fishing on the Rainy River. Elroy turned the boat straight north. The feeling of being in Canadian waters was described by the author as an existence of a parallel reality where there was no war, where everything was different.
Why did they come here? - Tim thought. "I think he meant to bring me up against the realities, to guide me across the river and to take me to the edge and to stand a kind of vigil as I chose a life for myself ... And what was so sad, I realized, was that Canada had become a pitiful fantasy. Silly and hopeless. It was no longer a possibility. Right then, with the shore so close, I understood that I would not do what I should do. I would not swim away from my hometown and my country and my life."
When we stand in front of our biggest choices, thoughts, feelings, predictions may line up and become tangible. This is what Tim was thinking:
"I saw faces from my distant past and distant future. My wife was there. My unborn daughter waved at me, and my two sons hopped up and down, and a drill sergeant named Blyton sneered and shot up a finger and shook his head. ... There was a slim young man I would one day kill with a hand grenade along a red clay trail outside the village of My Khe."
Eventually, Tim left the resort, he followed his fate. This is the last line of the story: "I was a coward. I went to the war."
It is important to understand the significance of events described in the story for one particular person. The old man was the only one who provided Tim with the choice. Tim felt a terrible pressure from his parents, relatives, acquaintances. Elroy remained neutral, and moreover, he sympathized with Tim's troubles.
The dilemma described in the story reminds the famous monologue of Prince Hamlet:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
... to take arms against a sea of troubles”
Here is a link to the text of the story:
https://hchissaquah.files.wordpress.c...
It is an audio-record on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcF0...
The narrator tells a story from the perspective of a 21-year-old young man whose name is also Tim O'Brien. It must be a real story about life experiences which the author had.
Young Tim O'Brien got drafted into the military, which means he had to fight in the Vietnam war, a war he hated. He couldn't believe that it happened to him. Here is a description of his thoughts:
"I remember opening up the letter, scanning the first few lines, feeling the blood go thick behind my eyes. I remember a sound in my head. It wasn't thinking, it was just a silent howl. A million things all at once—I was too good for this war. Too smart, too compassionate, too everything. It couldn't happen. I was above it. ... A mistake, maybe—a foul-up in the paperwork."
The father asked Tim what his plans were. He answered “Nothing. Wait.” The small town where Tim lived was near the Canadian border, and he was plagued with tempting thoughts to escape the draft. The thoughts were abstract and vague in the beginning. But they appeared in his mind again and again.
"I could see particular shapes and images, the sorry details of my own future— a hotel room in Winnipeg, a battered old suitcase, my father's eyes as I tried to explain myself over the telephone. I could almost hear his voice, and my mother's. Run, I'd think. Then I'd think, Impossible. Then a second later I'd think, Run."
That was a moral dilemma. Tim feared the war, but he also feared exile. He feared to lose the respect of his parents. The people in his hometown were conservative. Tim imagined how his neighbors would sit in the cafe talking about "the young O'Brien kid, how the damned sissy had taken off for Canada."
Being in a state of despair, Tim would drive for hours in his father's car without any destination in mind. In one morning he "began looking for a place to lie low for a day or two." He randomly found an old fishing resort on "the Rainy River, which separates Minnesota from Canada, and which for me separated one life from another."
Tim arrived at the fishing resort. It was a turning point of the story. He wrote, that "The man who opened the door that day is the hero of my life. How do I say this without sounding sappy? Blurt it out—the man saved me." He was eighty-one years old, Elroy Berdahl.
If we followed the plot we would see little actions. The next six days Tim and Elroy spent fishing at a resort, hiking into the woods. The tourist season ended, the place was empty. The old man "never asked the obvious questions: Why was I there? Why alone? Why so preoccupied? If Elroy was curious about any of this, he was careful never to put it into words."
It was obvious that the old man knew about the harsh choice which young men faced receiving the draft. Escaping to Canada was one of the possible options for conscripts who didn't want to go to the War.
There are two episodes which exposed the attitude of the old Elroy to his guest.
The first occurred when Tim paid for staying in the resort, Elroy in contrary to the usual price suggested to take into account Tim's work in the fishing resort (Tim helped Elroy in the same little chores to "get the place ready for winter, sweeping down the cabins and hauling in the boats"). Elroy offered a higher wage than Tim's obligations. As a result, Elroy returned the money back adding some money over. Tim refused to take the money. Elroy was persistent: “Pick it up. Get yourself a haircut.” The money lay on the table for the rest of the evening. It was still there when I went back to my cabin. In the morning though, I found an envelope tacked to my door. Inside were the four fifties and a two-word note that said EMERGENCY FUND. The man knew."
The second episode occurred when the old man took Tim out for fishing on the Rainy River. Elroy turned the boat straight north. The feeling of being in Canadian waters was described by the author as an existence of a parallel reality where there was no war, where everything was different.
Why did they come here? - Tim thought. "I think he meant to bring me up against the realities, to guide me across the river and to take me to the edge and to stand a kind of vigil as I chose a life for myself ... And what was so sad, I realized, was that Canada had become a pitiful fantasy. Silly and hopeless. It was no longer a possibility. Right then, with the shore so close, I understood that I would not do what I should do. I would not swim away from my hometown and my country and my life."
When we stand in front of our biggest choices, thoughts, feelings, predictions may line up and become tangible. This is what Tim was thinking:
"I saw faces from my distant past and distant future. My wife was there. My unborn daughter waved at me, and my two sons hopped up and down, and a drill sergeant named Blyton sneered and shot up a finger and shook his head. ... There was a slim young man I would one day kill with a hand grenade along a red clay trail outside the village of My Khe."
Eventually, Tim left the resort, he followed his fate. This is the last line of the story: "I was a coward. I went to the war."
It is important to understand the significance of events described in the story for one particular person. The old man was the only one who provided Tim with the choice. Tim felt a terrible pressure from his parents, relatives, acquaintances. Elroy remained neutral, and moreover, he sympathized with Tim's troubles.
The dilemma described in the story reminds the famous monologue of Prince Hamlet:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
... to take arms against a sea of troubles”
Here is a link to the text of the story:
https://hchissaquah.files.wordpress.c...
It is an audio-record on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcF0...
February 15, 2024
Read this during class on the topic of legitimate coercion. I disagree that war is a collective action problem, there is no reasonable incentive matrix here, just irrational behavior; you go to war and you both lose. “I was a coward. I went to war.”
December 6, 2014
An incredibly moving chapter/story. One of my all time favorites. Have re-read it several times.
June 30, 2020
"I was a coward. I went to war."
April 26, 2023
Wow. Amazing and touching story told through a very unique yet expected lens. O’Brien’s masterful writing is able to engage the reader in such a short amount of time.
What I found most wonderful about this was the actual voice of the narrator. Even though this takes place in the late 1960s, O’Brien is able to transfer such a vivid image of the perspective of a young adult at that time. I felt connected to Tim in ways I never would’ve expected, and his narrative is so emotional I couldn’t help but tear up at his epiphany.
The language is both rich and simple, dabbling between the mortal and the emotional in a masterful way. I adored the abrupt moments of vulnerability and can’t help but sympathize with O’Brien. The inexorable ending is tailored perfectly; O’Brien actively forces the reader to engage with the narrative, he presents an unavoidable story that feels strong and innocent and beautiful all at the same time.
What I found most wonderful about this was the actual voice of the narrator. Even though this takes place in the late 1960s, O’Brien is able to transfer such a vivid image of the perspective of a young adult at that time. I felt connected to Tim in ways I never would’ve expected, and his narrative is so emotional I couldn’t help but tear up at his epiphany.
The language is both rich and simple, dabbling between the mortal and the emotional in a masterful way. I adored the abrupt moments of vulnerability and can’t help but sympathize with O’Brien. The inexorable ending is tailored perfectly; O’Brien actively forces the reader to engage with the narrative, he presents an unavoidable story that feels strong and innocent and beautiful all at the same time.
February 1, 2021
On The Rainy River
By Tim O'Brien
On the Rainy River by Tim O'Brien is a very emotional and carefully constructed short story from the book 'The Things They Carried' published in 1990. The main subject is American society’s attitude toward the Vietnam War.
The narrator tells a story from the perspective of a 21-year-old young man whose name is also Tim O'Brien. It seems to be a real story about life experiences which the author had.
Young Tim O'Brien got drafted into the military, which means he had to fight in the Vietnam war, a war he hated. He couldn't believe that it happened to him. He of all persons. He just didn't feel qualified to fight in a way. A war he didn't agree with. A war that nobody could tell what the war is for.
The dilemma described in the story reminds me of the famous monologue of Prince Hamlet:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
... to take arms against a sea of troubles”
On a different note I thought this was more of a metaphor. Like he was divine. A kind of Godlike figure and he was like god witnessing Tim coming to terms with his going to war. It was a beautiful way to show the emotions that O’Brien went through.
My favorite part though was when the lodge keeper without asking any questions let the narrator stay for six days. That is a rare and beautiful thing: for a person to meet you during a time when you are going through a personal crisis, recognize that you are in such a state, and then asking you no questions welcoming you in, helping you out, all in a cool calm luxuriously freeing non judgemental silence.
It is important to understand the significance of events described in the story for one particular person. The old man was the only one who provided Tim with the choice. Tim felt a terrible pressure from his parents, relatives, acquaintances. Elroy remained neutral, and moreover, he sympathized with Tim's troubles.
Eventually, Tim left the resort, he followed his fate. I really enjoyed the irony of the last line of the story: "I was a coward. I went to the war."
To conclude, On The Rainy River leaves much to be analyzed beneath the surface but I loved it and this historical account was very well-written.
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Dorival
By Tim O'Brien
On the Rainy River by Tim O'Brien is a very emotional and carefully constructed short story from the book 'The Things They Carried' published in 1990. The main subject is American society’s attitude toward the Vietnam War.
The narrator tells a story from the perspective of a 21-year-old young man whose name is also Tim O'Brien. It seems to be a real story about life experiences which the author had.
Young Tim O'Brien got drafted into the military, which means he had to fight in the Vietnam war, a war he hated. He couldn't believe that it happened to him. He of all persons. He just didn't feel qualified to fight in a way. A war he didn't agree with. A war that nobody could tell what the war is for.
The dilemma described in the story reminds me of the famous monologue of Prince Hamlet:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
... to take arms against a sea of troubles”
On a different note I thought this was more of a metaphor. Like he was divine. A kind of Godlike figure and he was like god witnessing Tim coming to terms with his going to war. It was a beautiful way to show the emotions that O’Brien went through.
My favorite part though was when the lodge keeper without asking any questions let the narrator stay for six days. That is a rare and beautiful thing: for a person to meet you during a time when you are going through a personal crisis, recognize that you are in such a state, and then asking you no questions welcoming you in, helping you out, all in a cool calm luxuriously freeing non judgemental silence.
It is important to understand the significance of events described in the story for one particular person. The old man was the only one who provided Tim with the choice. Tim felt a terrible pressure from his parents, relatives, acquaintances. Elroy remained neutral, and moreover, he sympathized with Tim's troubles.
Eventually, Tim left the resort, he followed his fate. I really enjoyed the irony of the last line of the story: "I was a coward. I went to the war."
To conclude, On The Rainy River leaves much to be analyzed beneath the surface but I loved it and this historical account was very well-written.
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Dorival
December 30, 2021
On rare occasion, you pick up a book on a whim and find a complete gem. On rare occasion, you find a book that changes the way you feel about the world. On rare occasion, you find a short story that’s so expertly written you wonder how it doesn’t have a cult following.
This book, for me, was all three.
This book, for me, was all three.
April 6, 2024
I liked how On the Rainy River gave you another perspective of the Vietnam War. Narrated by Tim, a young man who drafted to Vietnam, it truly shows the anguish and self conflicting thoughts he was having about whether to
Flee into Canada or whether to go to Vietnam. The character of Errol Berdahl and his quiet, unquestioning manner really appealed.
Flee into Canada or whether to go to Vietnam. The character of Errol Berdahl and his quiet, unquestioning manner really appealed.
June 23, 2022
Fantastic short story about a 21 year old receiving a draft to the Vietnam war and all the turmoil. He tries to flee to Canada and stops at a lodge where he meets Elroy. Its a beautiful short that makes you think.
November 5, 2023
read as apart of my college lit fiction class
this is my favorite so far, i believe
i really understand it
this is my favorite so far, i believe
i really understand it
January 17, 2019
Very emotional story. I really enjoyed the irony of "I was a coward. I went to the war." Very well-written.
Read
February 24, 2021Read for English 10 class.
March 15, 2022
pretty alright story tim
March 4, 2023
read for school, some things that you could philosophize if you wanted to delve that deep (although i’m not sure the author meant for it to be read in that way)
3.5⭐️’s (rounded down)
3.5⭐️’s (rounded down)
June 5, 2023
To read for the last line
June 4, 2018
Meh. The writing was mediocre, and I didn’t real feel for the character.
September 14, 2016
We went over this more so in the class I'm in where this collection is the topic of discussion, but I just thought that this story stood out over some of his other ones. I would have to say that this and one or two others were just so carefully constructed.
January 23, 2015
Great short story, a part of his collection entitled The Things They Carried. Like O'Brien's other works, On the Rainy River has much to analyze beneath the surface. I loved it.
December 20, 2016
very helpful to use on my diplomas
May 12, 2021
A 1990 story - part of a book I read long ago - titled 'Adventure Stories'
Read
July 15, 2016Pelican Lake Book Club
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews