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leah_alexandra's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Torture, Racism, Violence, Murder, Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Child death, and Racial slurs
dyannareads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This one is dark and witty and the main character was often sarcastic with his harsh truths. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this story but it was truly insightful and compelling, forcing me to think past the tunnel vision I’ve had regarding American veterans of this war. It also forced me to look up a lot of Vietnamese history as well as both Vietnam’s and America’s role in the war.
We talk a lot about identities on here and especially books where you can relate to the identity of the main character. Well, the main character of this one is filled with dualities. Imagine being a North Vietnam mole in the South Vietnam army. Imagine on top of that being both French and Vietnamese, raised in Vietnam and schooled in America. On top of that, imagine being friends and aids to the American CIA and moving to America after the fall of Saigon in a war where you were a secretly a sympathizer to the American “enemy.”
“I was ever always divided, although it was only partially my fault. While I chose to live two lives and be a man of two minds, it was hard not to, given how people always called me a bastard.”
The back plot serves as kind of a confession, to things on all sides of the coin for the main character. Throughout the story you get a sense of how he both betrayed all of his identities and how he showed his loyalty to them as well.
Graphic: Rape, Torture, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Gore, and Death
matillda's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
the blurb on my version included the word “funny” but rest assured, I sure did not laugh
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Rape
cherreadssharereads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Rape
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Also satire goes over my head, so I might have missed things.
This book made me put down the book then go down a rabbit hole of Wikipedia to learn more about the Vietnam War (or as it's also known, The American War). Love how Viet Thanh Nguyen wasn't pulling any punches, and he was not necessarily writing to the white audience or those without a working knowledge about the war.
Two themes that I picked up that on - not all on screen representation is good (parody/fictionalisation of Apocalypse Now), and belonging (will probably explore more of this in my IG caption).
Also, while the author has likely done many podcasts interviews, I highly recommend listening to Asian Enough, Season 1, Episode 2. It's my absolute favorite season 1 episode (and John Cho was the guest in the first episode, so that's a high bar in my eyes)
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Genocide, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Torture
harry's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Violence