Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
slow-paced
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Abortion, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Domestic abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story follows the tragic events of a family that persevered against all odds. A young girl is retelling her grandmother‘s story who struggled after death upon death to hold her family together. The author tries to use an interwoven narrative, as each chapter takes place in a different location and time in Vietnam. The author would’ve been better off just having the story from the perspective of the granddaughter as she reels her grandmother’s stories, which I think was the intent, but it did not work well. As a reader, you begin to get used to the formatting and it becomes easier. However, at the beginning, I was always flipping between pages, trying to figure out whose perspective the story was from because the storytelling structure was confusing.
However, the author crafts, some beautiful descriptions of the landscape within the story. Regardless of the death and destruction that surrounded the characters, the reader could always see the beauty of the land. In addition, the author also tackled the very difficult relationships between family when political views differ. She tactfully address those, not guaranteeing a happy ending for the family.
However, the author crafts, some beautiful descriptions of the landscape within the story. Regardless of the death and destruction that surrounded the characters, the reader could always see the beauty of the land. In addition, the author also tackled the very difficult relationships between family when political views differ. She tactfully address those, not guaranteeing a happy ending for the family.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
The characters lack depth ,she tried to make every Vietnamese character so perfect which made hard to distinguish them from one another. And the characters didn't really have political views things just happen to them and they go about their day as if nothing have happened.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My book of the year so far. To see how it was between North and South in Vietnam. Have nit read anything like that. A beautifully told, harrowing story, of family, love, war, and resilience. And of course the anger that comes from seeing French, Japanese, and American imperialism in action.
A must read.
A must read.