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Do readers, particularly non-American readers, feel for Americans the kind of sympathy that this book clearly wants readers to feel for its protagonist? I for one cracked up with pure cynicism when Steve believed he "knew his history" while in disbelief about the American state's bloodthirst. Did you, as a reader who may be American or otherwise, read this book critically or emotionally? And do you generally read literature situated in the context of a controversial historical period critically or emotionally?

The only emotion I felt while reading this book was anger. The brutality was provocative. I felt bad for everyone around the world because unfortunately, police brutality happens in most countries around the world.

As a non-American reader, I could relate to the police brutality and corruption because it happens in many other countries including mine. I felt upset that things like this happen.

Yes, I do. as a human being, it is important to feel what others feel too. when an innocent soul is being killed unjustifiably, it calls for a critical and emotional reaction, irrespective of one's race, color, or language.

That's an interesting topic. I, for one, do not read literature situated in the context of the period critically. Not unless the book is practically throwing it at you. I just read it in the human perspective. Like there's pretty much always a bad guy, a good guy, the underdog, etc etc. So I always just get into a book emotionally.
For this book, I sympathized with Steve for being alone in his battle.

I found some parts of the book somewhat idealistic as it portrayed America in a very sympathetic light that's at sharp contrast to its various acts of war and conquest in the past.

I'm not American, but I can empathize with the feelings of the characters and the difficulties of a particular historical period. I think I read them both critically and emotionally, but since this was a character-driven story I might have let my emotions take charge. Most of us don't know our "true" history. I consider myself a history buff and I don't claim to know the entire history of my country. We are all a bit blinded by the "official" version of most events. So I can't judge Americans for doing the same. What matters, in my opinion, is the will to learn and to do what's right.

I did feel emotion in this book but it was not towards the Americans. It was instead towards the foreigners in this country because a lot of racism was exposed.

War doesn't just impact the 2 countries it's fought between. it impacts millions of people whether directly or indirectly. and reading Wild World did make me emotional at times, for the people so critically and directly impacted by the Vietnam war, the college students, the protagonists, and others. I read any book emotionally, but as a reviewer on this forum, I also have to be critical when I read books that I have to review.

I am a South African and I am overall an emotional being. I definitely felt for Steve and the other youths. I tend to put myself in other's shoes and circumstances and try to imagine how I would have felt and reacted.

Wild world is a novel full of varieties such as love, crime, social justice and also a thriller too.I would also say that the author did an amazing job here.

Police brutality is experienced all over and I understood Steve's need for change in the system.

I approach with the desire to be educated first and foremost, which to a great extent I was. Therefore I guess you could say mine is a more logical tilting lense.

I approach with the desire to be educated first and foremost, which to a great extent I was. Therefore I guess you could say mine is a more logical tilting lense.

I absolutely read this book critically rather than emotionally. I am not American either, and Steve's self-righteousness often felt misguided to me. His concern felt like it was only for his neighbors, and not the Vietnamese people affected by the war. Perhaps that was just my interpretation though.