Mixing reality and fantasy in O'Brien's Chasing Cacciato As O'Brien's third novel, Chasing Cacciato is one of his most acclaimed works. The book brings many chilling aspects of the war to the reader by developing a connection between the reader and the narrator. After many years, Cacciato's Pursuit still dominates more recent war novels by providing a unique glimpse into the minds of soldiers. O'Brien reflects on his war experiences in Vietnam by successfully blending reality and fantasy into an original war story. In the book's first chapter, the relationship between the story and its title is quickly established. As the character who incites the chase, Cacciato undertakes the seemingly ridiculous journey to Paris. A journey of eighty-six hundred miles on foot is not to be taken lightly. To get an idea of ​​the distance Cacciato intends to travel, imagine crossing the United States four times carrying only what you can carry. Paul Berlin, to whom Cacciato has divulged his travel plans, and his unit begin a mission to recover Cacciato. Told from Berlin's point of view, the story is revealed through the experiences of a person questioning their purpose in the war. The soldiers are literally walking away from the war as they follow Cacciato through the jungles of Vietnam. Paul's journey with the others is sometimes interrupted by sudden trips to the past. Such unexpected transitions have positive and negative effects on the reader. This last result is immediate; the rapid changes in topic add an element of confusion as to what exactly is going on in the novel. However, the divisions also provide increased interest during these flashbacks as they break up the monotony of the sea... middle of paper... of war. This war is not fought only with weapons, but is fought in the soldier's mind. The minds created by O'Brien reveal the twisted aspects of war. Going After Cacciato succeeds because the story is written to create a connection between the reader and the characters in a familiar, yet imaginary world. Works Cited1. "O'Brien, Tim." Current biography Yearbook. 1995 ed.2. "Homepage of Tim O'Brien, novelist." April 24, 1997. (May 10, 1997).3. Who knows, Jonathan. "Moral Questions in Tim O'Brien's Chase of Cacciato: How to Do the Right Thing in an Evil Situation." August 10, 1995. http://www.nightmare.com/~jon/cacciato2.html (May 9, 1997).4. Divine, Mary. "Love and war in the land of lakes." MPLS-St. Paul Magazine October 1994: 179.O'Brien, Tim. Chasing Cacciato. New York: Dell Publishing, 1978.