Author Carl F. Haupt published the novel “Gary Gatlin Reluctant Hero” in 2018. This is the first of a trilogy. Mr. Haupt has published two novels.

I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains some scenes of Violence. The story is set in 1939-1942. The primary character is Utah farmer Gary Gatlin.

After Gatlin graduates High School his family sends him to Formosa. He has grown up close to a Japanese family and is familiar with their language and culture. He is there to learn the Japanese techniques for growing fruit trees.

While in Formosa WWII begins and Gatlin must go into hiding. The Japanese believe he is a spy. With the help of local people, he eventually is able to escape the island and begin his long journey home. The trip is not easy and he finds himself in harm's way more than once. He also is given the chance to fight back against the Japanese. Not only is he worried about his family back home in the US, but while on Formosa he has fallen in love with a Japanese girl.

I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 316-page fictional drama novel. While the main character Gatlin grows into a heroic figure, the story seems very slow. he seems very naive about the world. Perhaps that is his rural background. While classified as a thriller, I Ould say that it only barely qualifies. I do like the selected cover art. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

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