Reviews

The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen

huyle's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

A book of multiple short stories that generate a mixed bag of feelings, some sad and some hopeful. The two articles in the end are good reads as well.

jessdurao's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

itschlve's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

I think I'd have liked this more if i read it before the sympathizer, somehow. Viet Thanh Nguyen's still is much more adapted to longer stories than short ones I find, very collection though, it remains really well executed but it lacked a little something for me (read the french translation) 

howtobebooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my copy.

Viet Thanh Nguyen is a wonderful storyteller, bringing together both the hardships and opportunities faced by the refugee Vietnamese community. The stories are a complex mix of perspectives highlighting the difficulties of trying to balance identities. Only the theme seems to tie the stories together, which makes it slightly disjointed at times. And while I have read more emotive experiences, it still makes for an enjoyable read.

genereads2's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I enjoyed how the author was able tell stories about everyday people while weaving in the themes and remnant experiences from the Post-Vietnam War era.

waynediane's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Viet is such a good writer. He explains Post Vietnam through individual vignettes. How different people were affected after the war. How Americans want to go back and visit in one short story, not to see the country, but the Vietnam war country. The racism in this country to people of Asian decent. Also, a. bit of Vietnam in Southern California- known as Little Siagon- the migration of those after the war etc.

mrmysteryfox's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

A collection of short stories all with links to Vietnamese refugees. I thought the themes of migration and identity would feature more heavily but the stories tend to focus more on love and relationships with the migrant story being a backdrop. Enjoyable collection of stories but not something I’d rush to recommend.

waadabr's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I wasn't a big fan of the style of this book. The short stories were nice but there was nothing tying them together. It feels like something I'd read in an English class so it just wasn't my speed.

tara_pikachu's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

What a splendid collection of stories. What a perfect book.

laurenk7's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0