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Gray Girl (2000)

by Susan I. Spieth(Favorite Author)

4.05 of 5 Votes: 3

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English

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review 1: What a powerful, engaging, vivid and memorable novel that reminded me of my trials and tribulations during Naval Officers Candidate School at Newport Rhode Island. Ms. Spieth, a West Point graduate, wrote with conviction, and engages the reader to devour her book which depicts in marvelous detail the famous Plebe year at West Point. The military academies are known for their challenging curriculum, watches, physical training and stressful environments. Moreover, during the early 1980's, West Point had very few female cadets, so Jan has to deal with plenty of egotistical and mean male cadets during her Plebe year. The author added sufficient intrigue, mystery, and scandals to keep me reading this novel until well at night. I finished the novel in a few days, rooting for Jan... more, Kissy, and Angel along the journey. Gray Girl earned the 2014 Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award and the 2014 Eric Hoffer e-book fiction award. I read it on my Kindle and it felt like I was in the company of another military friend who understood so well what I went through during OCS. BRAVO to Ms. Susan Spieth, and for any aspiring military training applicants, this book is a must read! I want to share something Ms. Spieth said at the conclusion of her book that resonated with me: "Yet, USMA gave us more than it took away. Despite, and perhaps because of it, its harsh nature when we were cadets, most of us have become proud members of the Long Gray Line. I feel blessed to be among the men and women who have experienced something that is not comparable anywhere. We share a bond. I feel this ever more deeply with each passing year, especially among my classmates and women who were once cadets." I also feel that OCS gave me more than it took away, and not only prepared me for the challenges ahead but for my new life at Los Angeles, CA. I am currently a LCDR in the US Navy Reserve after serving over 15 years active duty across the nation. My intention is to complete my naval career in Los Angeles and commenced a new career path in the city that swept me off my feet and placed a string of lights around my heart.
review 2: This book gave a very personal look (through fictional characters that I believe were based on the author's experiences) at what it was like to attend West Point in the early 1980s, only a few years after women were allowed to attend. This also touches the experiences of what it can be like to be a plebe (freshman) and all of the hazing involved. The characters were very believable and their experiences earned my sympathy and respect. I do wish that the reason Jan originally signed up for military academy was made more clear since her struggle to know why she was staying was a central issue. Also, very little information is given as to her life before the academy and about her family, but I think this is because it really wasn't applicable to the plot of the story, though I think it would have added much to character development. Maybe I am just used to such provided background from most other books I have read. Very enlightening into the early times of women being accepted into the military from a young inexperienced woman's point of view with a bit of mystery for a plot line. I can't help but hope Jan's yearling(?) (sophomore) year will be shared in a sequel!! less

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