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A review by readwithffi
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
"Oh Guava, I used to think that we were the ones in charge of our destinies, but I learned then that, in time of war, normal citizens were nothing but leaves that would fall in the thousands or millions in the surge of a single storm"
CW: war, murder, rape
The Mountains Sing is an incredible book. Probably my favourite ever. So, if you haven't got time to read through this review, just trust me that you need to put this at the top of your TBR!!
So, a quick synopsis: The Mountains Sing is a multi-perspective historical fiction book based in Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War. Hương is growing up during the war, and lives with her Grandma Diệu Lan, while the rest of her family has gone to the frontlines. For half of the book (every other chapter), we hear about Hương's life in Hà Nội, and for the other half, Hương's Grandma leads us through tales of her past during the rise of Communism in Northern Viet Nam and The Land Reform.
I really think OwnVoice historical fiction books are the best reading experience you can get. I truly truly love knowing that the author is having their voice/the voice of their ancestors heard in some way.
Clearly the plot had me hooked, but the writing!! Every page transported me to the beauty of Viet Nam. Strangely, the most 'beautiful' passages were often against the backdrop to the most gruesome scenes in Grandma Diệu Lan's chapters. I think there's definitely something to be said about finding beauty in places of darkness as a key theme in this book.
In the depths of war, life can be treated as disposable. But The Mountains Sing gives the reader hope and a sense of humanity. I feel a deep love for Grandma Diệu Lan and her ability to afford kindness to everyone she crosses - even though those people often don't act the same way towards her.
Somehow this was the most gruesome, yet beautiful and hopeful book I've read in a while. And I HIGHLY recommend it.
CW: war, murder, rape
The Mountains Sing is an incredible book. Probably my favourite ever. So, if you haven't got time to read through this review, just trust me that you need to put this at the top of your TBR!!
So, a quick synopsis: The Mountains Sing is a multi-perspective historical fiction book based in Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War. Hương is growing up during the war, and lives with her Grandma Diệu Lan, while the rest of her family has gone to the frontlines. For half of the book (every other chapter), we hear about Hương's life in Hà Nội, and for the other half, Hương's Grandma leads us through tales of her past during the rise of Communism in Northern Viet Nam and The Land Reform.
I really think OwnVoice historical fiction books are the best reading experience you can get. I truly truly love knowing that the author is having their voice/the voice of their ancestors heard in some way.
Clearly the plot had me hooked, but the writing!! Every page transported me to the beauty of Viet Nam. Strangely, the most 'beautiful' passages were often against the backdrop to the most gruesome scenes in Grandma Diệu Lan's chapters. I think there's definitely something to be said about finding beauty in places of darkness as a key theme in this book.
In the depths of war, life can be treated as disposable. But The Mountains Sing gives the reader hope and a sense of humanity. I feel a deep love for Grandma Diệu Lan and her ability to afford kindness to everyone she crosses - even though those people often don't act the same way towards her.
Somehow this was the most gruesome, yet beautiful and hopeful book I've read in a while. And I HIGHLY recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, and Murder