Laughter does not deny pain. Laughter - like a wail - acknowledges and replies to pain.

That's what fiction is for. It's for getting at the truth when the truth isn't sufficient for the truth.

In any war story, but especially a true one, it's difficult to separate what happened from what seemed to happen.

Laughter does not deny pain. Laughter - like a wail - acknowledges and replies to pain.

Can the foot soldier teach anything important about war, merely for having been there? I think not. He can tell war stories.

But the thing about remembering is that you don't forget.

But in a story I can steal her soul.