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dan4884's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
kkaste's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
abzhozay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Found this book in my e-reader library and I'm so glad I did. Not going to lie, but I didn't know that much of the Vietnam War. I loved how I learned a lot about this generational history on a person level. I didn't love the art style of this graphic novel at first, but now reading it through I realized it fit so perfectly with the story telling. If they don't do this already, this graphic novel should be assigned reading for schools to learn more about this side of history. This is a great start to AAPI month!
jess_mango's review against another edition
5.0
The Best We Could Do is a memoir in graphic novel format. It tells of the author and her parents' experiences in Vietnam before, during and after the Vietnam War and their experiences as refugees in the US. The story is harrowing and heartbreaking at times but the author definitely ends on a more positive note.
nickscoby's review against another edition
4.0
A most excellent book that probably gets even better with repeated readings. (I finished this one in less than 24 hours.) Bui sets the bar high for herself, i.e., telling both the history of her family, along with the history of the Vietnam War. She makes it clear that much of what we currently know about that time is from a Western perspective. And so she complicates our understanding. Further, she sets out to understand her parents and their struggles (with a special focus on her mother).
I'm sure this story resonates with so many populations who have endured a refugee (or "just" immigrant) experience--the chasms between family members, the uncertainties about life in the U.S., the questions of belonging.
I'm sure this story resonates with so many populations who have endured a refugee (or "just" immigrant) experience--the chasms between family members, the uncertainties about life in the U.S., the questions of belonging.
richardnixon's review against another edition
3.0
i read this for my english class, not expecting to enjoy it, but it was actually pretty good. it’s not something i would ever read out of my own volition, so i’m glad i was pushed to read it