Review: Conduct Unbecoming by L.A. Witt
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 7, 2013
Conduct Unbecoming was a tour de force, a more than 300 pages novel when recently the average is around 200, it was nevertheless a commitment that I encourage you to take. Aside from being very well researched, both the experience of living abroad, in a completely stranger country, than the military life, it was also very good in characterization. Eric and Shane are two perfect example of military men, from difference experiences, but both of them very believable. More interesting than all was the fact they were not young, but on the other side of thirties, more near forties, and both of them with a divorce on their back. Eric more lucky than Shane, managing to maintain a friendly relationship with his ex-wife, and instead the one Shane has with his own ex-wife is barely civil. Also this was a very interesting aspect of the novel, giving the reader both side, both possible evolution of the future of a married men who comes out later in life.The relationship between Eric and Shane starts as one night stand, hot sex without strings attached to quickly become love, so quickly that, aside for the very first encounter, love was always part of their romance. At first Eric and Shane don't have the opportunity to meet again, and both of them are pining on the lost chance at love, because they have already understood theirs can be love. When they meet again, the spectrum of a dishonorable discharge for conduct unbecoming of a gentleman lurks over them, but the pull is too strong to be ignored. For most of the novel they will fight for their love, knowing that, if they resist for a little bit, what they are founding is a long-term relationship that will complete the rest of their lives.It was interesting to read about this side of military life, Eric and Shane are not in a war-zone, Okinawa's experience is almost like being professionals transferred to a abroad location (something that I experienced first-hand): there is the disorienting experience of not knowing the country, the cultural shock, missing home, and in the end, starting to appreciate the novelty so much that, when you have to go back, you know you will miss it. Okinawa and the Asian culture is an important piece of the novel, so much to be almost as much important as the love story.