Scan barcode
brogan7's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: War
Minor: Abortion, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
pikkumarja's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Kirja sai minut itkemään ja myös tuntemaan myötätuntoa ja iloa henkilöiden kanssa. Suosittelen ehdottomasti!
Graphic: Rape, Child death, Sexual violence, Death, Terminal illness, Murder, Death of parent, War, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Alcoholism
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What truly makes this novel shine is the personal tone of the entire story. Huong's recollections feel diaristic and Dieu Lan's story is entirely addressed to Huong. When Nguyen reveals in the acknowledgments that The Mountains Sing was directly inspired by the lives of her family members and friends' families, it came as no surprise to me.
The Mountains Sing is the first book that prolific author Nguyen Phan Que Mai ever wrote in English, her second language. I have seen a handful of criticism of this novel that states that the writing is too simple or repetitive. First of all, I challenge those reviewers to consider writing an entire narrative in a second language. Second of all, I think that the bittersweet beauty and strength of this story overrides any supposed less-sophisticated diction.
Graphic: Medical trauma, War, Sexual violence, Murder, Grief, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
lightsleeper_heavydreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Highly recommended the audio book, there's so many Vietnamese proverbs in this and hearing them spoken by a Vietnamese speaker and not just reading them wrongly in my head.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Genocide, Suicide, Death, Sexual violence, Rape, Miscarriage, Torture, and War
tvnguyen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This historical fiction hits really close to home and to hear directly from a fictional family that has been affected represents so many families that actually experienced the aftermath of war. There is a lot going on in this book so please tread lightly and take breaks if needed. But I highly recommend this novel!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, War, Abandonment, Violence, Rape, and Death of parent
nico_asteri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence
b_harrington's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Violence, Genocide, Misogyny, Abortion, Death, Rape, Grief, Colonisation, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, and Torture
greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It could also be frustrating; despite how much I loved the book, I often felt like the characters were almost too naïve deliberately so the author could use them as a mouthpiece for philosophical arguments; i.e. Huong being 15 and not understanding what rape is so that the book can make the argument that no one should be shamed for violence inflicted upon them. There were other instances of this that tested believability, but for me it didn't drag down the impact of the novel. I'd recommend this to anyone and it will have a permanent place on my bookshelf and rotation of revered books.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Cancer, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
now_booking's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Abortion, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Classism, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Colonisation, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, and Child abuse
annorabrady's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, War, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, Blood, Hate crime, Classism, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Confinement, Vomit, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Infertility