Kiss Them for Me

Kiss Them for Me follows three U.S. Navy pilots on leave in San Francisco during World War II. The men arrive in the city determined to forget the horrors of combat in the Pacific through a weekend of revelry. Set in the 1940s wartime home front, the story captures the stark contrast between battle-weary servicemen and the civilian population continuing their normal lives. The pilots move through hotels, bars, and parties while navigating relationships with various women they meet. The narrative unfolds across four days in San Francisco, driven by the pilots' interactions with locals and fellow service members. Their temporary escape from military life reveals the physical and psychological impacts of their combat experiences. The novel explores themes of trauma, escapism, and the disconnect between soldiers and civilians during wartime. Through its depiction of these pilots' brief respite, it presents a raw portrait of how war affects those who fight it.

Readers note that Kiss Them for Me presents a darker, more cynical view of World War II naval officers compared to most military fiction of the 1940s. The book gains attention primarily for being the basis of the better-known 1957 film starring Cary Grant. Readers appreciate: - Raw portrayal of officers' behavior and attitudes - Unflinching look at wartime morality - Sharp dialogue between characters Common criticisms: - Difficult to follow multiple plotlines - Dated references and slang - Character development feels rushed The limited reviews available online show mixed reception: Goodreads: 3.33/5 (6 ratings) Amazon: No reviews available Several readers compare it unfavorably to similar WWII novels like The Naked and the Dead and From Here to Eternity. One Goodreads reviewer called it "a forgotten novel that deserves to stay forgotten," while another praised its "honest depiction of naval officers letting loose on leave."

From Here to Eternity by James Jones This military novel depicts the lives of soldiers stationed in Hawaii before Pearl Harbor with similar themes of wartime camaraderie and indulgence.

The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer The story follows a platoon of U.S. soldiers in the Pacific theater during World War II, exploring military life and human nature under combat conditions.

Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener The interconnected stories present U.S. Navy personnel during World War II as they navigate duty, romance, and cultural encounters in the Pacific.

The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw This World War II narrative tracks three soldiers—two American and one German—through their wartime experiences and moral transformations.

The Gallery by John Horne Burns The novel presents a series of portraits of military and civilian life in Naples during the American occupation of 1944, examining the intersection of war and human relationships.

🌟 "Kiss Them for Me" was adapted into a 1957 film starring Cary Grant and Jayne Mansfield, though the movie significantly altered the darker themes of the original novel. ✈️ Author Frederic Wakeman drew from his own experiences as a Naval aviator during World War II to create the authentic military atmosphere in the book. 📚 The novel's title comes from a common wartime sentiment expressed by soldiers asking friends to kiss their loved ones back home if they didn't return from combat. 🎭 The book caused controversy upon its 1945 release for its raw portrayal of Navy pilots on leave, showing their struggles with post-traumatic stress and moral disillusionment. 🗽 The story takes place over just three days in San Francisco, capturing a pivotal moment when American society was grappling with the psychological impact of World War II on returning servicemen.