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teddytr19's review
5.0
I’m not usually one for short stories, but I liked this book a lot. Each story was just so personal and well told and genuine. They were also all unique and special in their own way. I did really think one of the stories was gonna be gay but it ended up not so that’s disappointing, but still just a v good experience overall.
nerissassippi's review
4.0
This is a beautiful book. The stories showcase the beauty, fragility and temerity of life. It give an interesting peak into the lives of Vietnamese-American immigrant community in Louisiana.
larryerick's review
3.0
All of these stories involve Vietnam and Vietnamese people. Nearly all the stories involve Louisiana, and a good number involve Catholicism, as opposed to Buddhism, Taoism, or other more typical Asian religions. I do not know the significance of the particular religious slant. One story had all these elements in it, but could have easily had none of them and still made exactly the same points. It was as if it was changed just to fit the ambiance of the rest of the book. Regardless, the author did serve during the Viet Nam War as a translator, and did teach in Louisiana for many years. After the first story in the collection, I quickly developed a feeling that the author had felt a keen interest in the Vietnamese transplants to America, and felt a need to fill a void that existed in relating their lives outside the war to the rest of Americans. More and more as I read, I could envision in my mind a white male American doing one-person one-act plays or monologues, with the author playing the role of a series of Vietnamese characters. After a while this image became less invasive, but I never fully lost the feeling of the author trying to do his Vietnamese friends a favor of telling their story for them. Frankly, I wish there had been a bit more variety in the stories at times, but there is some humor, some suspense, some surprises, but a nearly constant underflow of sadness. This book may have served its purpose for its time, but I strongly suspect a current book written by an actual Vietnamese writer would have very distinct differences.
carlylottsofbookz's review
3.0
In any short story collection, there are some that are more entertaining, eye opening, or just meaningful than others.
This is one I picked up as a Pulitzer winner. 19 of those to go!
This is one I picked up as a Pulitzer winner. 19 of those to go!
drewmoody321's review
4.0
Read my full review here: http://thepulitzerblog.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/entry-41-a-good-scent-from-a-strange-mountain-by-robert-olen-butler-1993/
goodrich4's review
emotional
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? No
4.25