"In Country" is much more than a typical war novel. Most war books focus more on combat, but this one puts alot more focus on how war affects family and friends. Sam's life has been very much influenced by the Vietnam War. Her father was killed in combat and she now lives with her Uncle Emmott who also saw time on the front lines. Her mother has remarried and births a new baby girl to whom she pays most of her attention. Both of them are alienated from people they love, and in this way they can relate.
This is a story about self-discovery. Sam is on a self search throughout this book in many aspects. She sees the Vietnam War as a shaping force in her life. It has taken her father and heavily influenced her Uncle who she spends her time at home with. On her self-search, Sam reads through her father's journal. She wants to learn everything she can about the Vietnam War to try and fully comprehend it. She also talks extensively to her Uncle. After this search into the past, she comes to terms that she can never fully understand the war.
Popular culture plays a large role in the relationship between Sam and Uncle Emmot. For them, it serves as an area of common ground to which they can relate and disucss. The two of them always watch MASH together. For Emmott, he can relate because he was a part of the war and knows what its like to be a soldier. Sam can appriciate this because it gives her another angle (the humorous one) on the Vietnam War.
The setting of this book is very important. It is set in Kentucky in the year 1984. This year is extremely important because it is a couple years after the War is over and all living veterans are back at home. This book deals with the effects of war on home life, so this is crucial.
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