Reviews

The Book of Salt by Monique Truong

competencefantasy's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

knitterscasket's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

smusie's review against another edition

4.0

There are several mistakes in the Goodreads synopsis of this book--the main character's name, the status of his father for much of the book, the seeming emphasis of his decision whether to accompany his employers to America. The book is much more complex than this blurb would make it seem, and is worth reading to untangle the many threads and nuances of meaning.

ladyb_loves_books's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

victoriathuyvi's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

anniecheng04's review against another edition

4.0

While I’m a sucker for the long-drawn, indulgent descriptions, the plot never goes anywhere. It’s useful to digest as a piece of queer historical fiction, and introduces the race, class, and gender politics of the French-Vietnamese world in various ways. However, as others have pointed out, I too am disappointed by cultural inaccuracies and the stifled narrative.
Might pick it up again just to re-absorb her beautifully poetic style, though.

higglebee's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Stream of consciousness may not be for me. Hard to follow. Writing is wonderful, poetic and beautiful. However, for me, at times it just seems like that one guy who is obsessed with philosophy and sounding smart therefore it kind of gives me the ick. I can't even decide if I want to cheer for Binh. 

donutcome4me's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lrosenzweig23's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

allysonbogie's review against another edition

4.0

The Book of Salt is a beautiful book, set in Paris and told by the Vietnamese cook to Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein. The writing is captivating and the story is poignant. By the end I loved and appreciated the main character. If you pick it up and it seems a bit slow, stick with it. It's so worth it for the language and the magic that comes out of the story.