Morgan City native writes novel on Marines in Iraq

“It is an unusual (book) in that it shows the point of view of the Iraqis not just the American Marines,” said Morgan City’s Muriel Manuel of the novel, “Fives and Twenty-Fives.”
Fives and Twenty-Fives is written by Morgan City native Michael Pitre, of New Orleans.
Manuel heard about the book from Pitre’s father, Lee Pitre, who attended Morgan City High School.
“I know my Dad was proud to share Mike’s childhood writings with you; I’ll keep the tradition going by sharing his first novel,” Lee Pitre penned in a letter to Manuel. “It is an Amazon editors pick for ‘Best Books of the Month — Sept.’ as well as their ‘Featured Debut — Sept.’
“He is also on Barnes & Nobles Fall 2014 ‘Discover Great New Writers’ selection list. He has a Kirkus starred review and a great New York Times review. He has been on radio and TV including NPR’s ‘All Things Considered.’ He is currently on a 20 city book signing tour,” Lee Pitre concluded in his letter that he signed as “Proud Parent.”
Michael Pitre graduated from Louisiana State University having taken a double major in history and creative writing, his book jacket states. In 2002, he joined the Marines, deploying twice to Iraq. He attained the rank of captain before ending his service in 2010.
After his military service, he earned a master’s of business administration at Loyola in New Orleans.
“The people I talked to and showed the book to were all interested in it because he is from here,” she said.
According to the book jacket, “Fives and Twenty-Fives mark the measure of a Marine’s life in the Road Repair Platoon.”
It seems not only Morgan City area people have an interest in the book drawn from his war experiences.