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ziggyreadz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
i really enjoyed Banyan Moon. i thought the characters were really interesting and compelling in the way they tangled together. that is the main focus of the book, so if you’re into character centered narratives, specifically family/inter-generational narratives, i highly recommend.
i may be biased because i love this kind of story about trauma and complicated people, but i really enjoyed how they each stood as their own characters but were stronger together.
i didn’t find the perspective switching to be jarring at all, though i listened to the audio book, and each of the three women had different narrators. i especially liked Huong’s reader, as she always sounded like she was on the edge of desperation, which reflects Huong’s character. the different perspectives and arcs within the perspectives provided an interesting mix of stories from Vietnam and stories from Florida, where the present day of the book takes place.
the way the book explored different kinds of relationships with men and their complicated problems was really masterful. i felt that everything was handled really well despite the relationships being (outwardly) pretty diverse.
of course it was really interesting to see the three women’s relationships with each other. there were some gaps with Huong and Ann — i understood on a surface level why they had a tense relationship in the past, but i felt like other things took up the space needed to explore that more, especially since it was so central to the narrative.
the book is slow but i enjoyed that, it gave the characters room to breathe. the last 1/4 though is very fast and dramatic, and while it was very immersive, i felt like it was a little out of place given the rest of the pacing and plot of the book. several dramatic things happen, and i feel it would have been better with fewer things, so that it felt more consistent.
the end was a little too neat for me. i wish it had not wrapped up as well, though i was generally happy with the resolution. i just felt that the ending was too simple for a complicated book like Banyan Moon.
the only other thing that bothered me a bit was that sometimes the writing felt a little strange (very infrequently). there were a lot of metaphors, both in dialogue and internal monologue, that felt a little too absurd to be taken seriously. overall, i did enjoy the writing though.
if the premise of this book appeals to you, definitely check it out. it’s a really rewarding experience. the only reason why my rating is not higher is because i felt the book mostly accomplished its ambitions, but fell a bit short towards the end.
i may be biased because i love this kind of story about trauma and complicated people, but i really enjoyed how they each stood as their own characters but were stronger together.
i didn’t find the perspective switching to be jarring at all, though i listened to the audio book, and each of the three women had different narrators. i especially liked Huong’s reader, as she always sounded like she was on the edge of desperation, which reflects Huong’s character. the different perspectives and arcs within the perspectives provided an interesting mix of stories from Vietnam and stories from Florida, where the present day of the book takes place.
the way the book explored different kinds of relationships with men and their complicated problems was really masterful. i felt that everything was handled really well despite the relationships being (outwardly) pretty diverse.
of course it was really interesting to see the three women’s relationships with each other. there were some gaps with Huong and Ann — i understood on a surface level why they had a tense relationship in the past, but i felt like other things took up the space needed to explore that more, especially since it was so central to the narrative.
the book is slow but i enjoyed that, it gave the characters room to breathe. the last 1/4 though is very fast and dramatic, and while it was very immersive, i felt like it was a little out of place given the rest of the pacing and plot of the book. several dramatic things happen, and i feel it would have been better with fewer things, so that it felt more consistent.
the end was a little too neat for me. i wish it had not wrapped up as well, though i was generally happy with the resolution. i just felt that the ending was too simple for a complicated book like Banyan Moon.
the only other thing that bothered me a bit was that sometimes the writing felt a little strange (very infrequently). there were a lot of metaphors, both in dialogue and internal monologue, that felt a little too absurd to be taken seriously. overall, i did enjoy the writing though.
if the premise of this book appeals to you, definitely check it out. it’s a really rewarding experience. the only reason why my rating is not higher is because i felt the book mostly accomplished its ambitions, but fell a bit short towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Racism, Stalking, War, Sexual content, and Sexism
Minor: Miscarriage
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Looks like I’m getting my fill of Vietnamese literature this year. This one was very good. A departure from the model minority story and an irreverence for purity culture. Minh’s perspective was my favorite, and I really loved that she was still narrating after she wouldn’t normally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Murder, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Infidelity, Car accident, Sexual harassment, Cancer, and Domestic abuse
malihareza_19's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.5
This is a story I won’t forget. It will have a special place in my heart. As an Asian American, I know what they went through. Huong was my favorite character and I’m glad Ann didn’t end up with anyone at the end. Only her and kumquat 💘
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: War
lilawsahar's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A book about women who, unknowingly, keep repeating toxic cycles from their childhood with their own children. This tale is beautiful. I love how the author talks about the complexity of being an immigrant, single mother, and redemption.
I am surprised that Ann never brings up her mothers real father to her mom. I feel like she had a right to know who her dad was. It was wrong of her to burn the picture of him without telling her mom first. That’s my opinion though. I also can’t believe Hoang did not mention what happened to Ann’s dad. I feel like she also had a right to know about her dad. I guess they’re even then because they both know something the other doesn’t about their father.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Grief
pambo's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
mtnest's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Grief, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Violence
gondorgirl's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Minor: Colonisation, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Classism
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