Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen

2 reviews

mirandyli's review

emotional reflective 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

4.5

This was a beautifully written book. As I was reading it, I thought it was a memoir or an account of the author's life. However, while it is based on the author's mother's life, I was surprised to learn that the book is completely fictional. 

I was very surprised to learn that the author did not grow up in New Orleans. The depictions of New Orleans and the gulf coast were so accurate.  Mardi Gras, Catholic charities, Versailles, Chef Menteur, Grand Isle, Southern Decadence, Hurricane Katrina, eating cake at Gambino's, "there's nothing in the east or in Metairie," it's important to know how to swim in case the city sinks. One of the funniest moments in the book was when the mother thought, "What is wrong with this city?? What is wrong with these people??" Also: "Southern decadence is like gay Mardi Gras." "What’s more gay than Mardi Gras?"  "Southern Decadence." I laughed out loud.

There are multiple narratives, the sweetest being the younger brother's, who is coming to terms with his queerness. The older brother, who remembers his father, is more troubled at first, skipping school and joining a gang. The younger brother is less troubled at first, but still carries generational trauma. Both are inherently very loving and resilient. The journey to America through the water has followed them throughout their lives. The ending gave me chills (And depression. And PTSD).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Car accident, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Classism, Bullying, Death of parent, Racism, War, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Grief, and Racial slurs

kayyphan's review against another edition

emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Death, Car accident, Racism, Death of parent, and Racial slurs