Upgunner

By Christopher Bryde

Upgunner is the debut novel by decorated war veteran Corporal Christopher J. Bryde, delivering a gripping and raw portrayal of a US Marine's journey from the rugged Alaskan wilderness to the unforgiving deserts of Afghanistan.

Set during the initial surge of NATO troops into Afghanistan, the novel follows Lance Corporal Brodie, a Marine who awakens from a coma after losing his leg in an IED explosion. As he grapples with the brutal trials of physical rehabilitation, his Catholic faith, and the haunting memories of his deployment, Lance Corporal Brodie faces profound internal and external battles-of war, injury, morality, and faith.

Through vivid flashbacks, Lance Corporal Brodie recounts how his deployment stretched far beyond its intended end. His squad, isolated and ill-equipped, was sent on relentless missions deep into Taliban-occupied territory, often without medical evacuation or air support-culminating in catastrophic consequences.

Told with unflinching honesty, Upgunner explores the harsh realities of military life and the profound psychological toll of war, trauma and survival.

"This is an incredibly powerful piece of writing. It has the feel of one of those classics of Vietnam war fiction." -- Anthony McGowan, winner of the Carnegie Medal for Writing

"Upgunner is a brilliant, blistering and brutal debut novel. You may find the honesty and intensity of its storytelling hard to read at times, but you won't be able to stop." -- Jay Russell, author of Celestial Dogs

"A haunting story about war, recovery, and redemption by a remarkable debut novelist. The book's religious themes are subtly done but strong in effect." -- Stephen Bullivant, DPil PhD, Professor of Theology and Sociology of Religion and author of Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DFZTHLRH
• ISBN13: 9798336548556
• Release Date: September 2024
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 8.0"