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A review by aksmith92
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
The Setup: Banyan Moon is a moving and intricately woven debut novel that delves into the lives of three generations of Vietnamese American women: Minh, her daughter Huong, and her granddaughter Ann. From 1960s Vietnam to present-day Florida, the novel explores legacy, identity, and the fraught yet tender relationships between mothers and daughters.
The narrative unfolds with the passing of Minh, the Tran family's matriarch, which prompts Ann to return to her childhood abode, the enigmatic Banyan House, to reconcile with her estranged mother, Huong. Ann, a successful artist grappling with an unexpected pregnancy and a turbulent relationship, embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she and Huong sift through Minh's belongings, unearthing long-buried family secrets.
Through alternating timelines, Thai reveals the rich backstories of each woman. Minh's narrative takes readers from her youth in Vietnam to her struggles as a single mother in America, and even after her death. Huong's story highlights her escape from an abusive marriage, while Ann's journey focuses on her search for identity and understanding within the context of her family's history.
What I Liked: I adored Thai's writing—it was atmospheric and had such emotional depth. There were so many beautiful analogies, metaphors, and quotes. I felt seeped in this novel, and it was a stunning read. Thai also captured the Tran women's complexities through their relationships and individual struggles. The narrative's dual timelines enhanced the reader's understanding of how past traumas and sacrifices shaped the present, making Banyan Moon resonant and thought-provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed Thai's exploration of cultural heritage and family dynamics - there were incredible details in this novel that made it feel real.
Lastly, the novel was infused with a unique blend of magical realism and Southern Gothic elements. Though not essential to the plot, these elements added an ethereal and original touch to the story. They created a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural were blurred, enhancing the reader's experience. The poignant examination of love, grief, and forgiveness, combined with this unique blend of genres, made Banyan Moon a captivating read.
What I Didn't Like: While the writing was terrific and the overall storyline was beautiful, where I think it fell flat was character development and nuance. Minh, Huong, and Ann all seemed similar in their emotional capacity, character development, and overall decision-making. In a way, they all seemed emotionally detached from everyone and everything but each other, and I felt like something was missing. Maybe that was the point: generations of women continued the cycle repeatedly. But it was frustrating and didn't provide a lot of nuance to their own individual characters - they just all seemed the same. Additionally, they were not necessarily likable characters, which I could have gotten on board with if they were exciting and nuanced. I think that was lacking here, and I had trouble rooting for (or against) them - I was simply disinterested in their progression. I was thankful to have the plot with a couple of twists along the way to keep me vested because, without that, this would not have been a good read for me. Take it with a grain of salt, though, because I heavily err on the importance of connecting with the characters, their nuance, and their uniqueness.
Also, unexpected pregnancies are not my jam (not a spoiler!); however, it had little sway on my rating because it truly was part of the point.
Lastly, all the trauma, frustration, and anger were tied up so neatly at the end. I don't mind this per se, but I think it made the last 10% feel slightly rushed and thrown together.
Overall, though, this was a beautiful read, and I look forward to seeing what Thao Thai produces in the future.
The narrative unfolds with the passing of Minh, the Tran family's matriarch, which prompts Ann to return to her childhood abode, the enigmatic Banyan House, to reconcile with her estranged mother, Huong. Ann, a successful artist grappling with an unexpected pregnancy and a turbulent relationship, embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she and Huong sift through Minh's belongings, unearthing long-buried family secrets.
Through alternating timelines, Thai reveals the rich backstories of each woman. Minh's narrative takes readers from her youth in Vietnam to her struggles as a single mother in America, and even after her death. Huong's story highlights her escape from an abusive marriage, while Ann's journey focuses on her search for identity and understanding within the context of her family's history.
What I Liked: I adored Thai's writing—it was atmospheric and had such emotional depth. There were so many beautiful analogies, metaphors, and quotes. I felt seeped in this novel, and it was a stunning read. Thai also captured the Tran women's complexities through their relationships and individual struggles. The narrative's dual timelines enhanced the reader's understanding of how past traumas and sacrifices shaped the present, making Banyan Moon resonant and thought-provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed Thai's exploration of cultural heritage and family dynamics - there were incredible details in this novel that made it feel real.
Lastly, the novel was infused with a unique blend of magical realism and Southern Gothic elements. Though not essential to the plot, these elements added an ethereal and original touch to the story. They created a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural were blurred, enhancing the reader's experience. The poignant examination of love, grief, and forgiveness, combined with this unique blend of genres, made Banyan Moon a captivating read.
What I Didn't Like: While the writing was terrific and the overall storyline was beautiful, where I think it fell flat was character development and nuance. Minh, Huong, and Ann all seemed similar in their emotional capacity, character development, and overall decision-making. In a way, they all seemed emotionally detached from everyone and everything but each other, and I felt like something was missing. Maybe that was the point: generations of women continued the cycle repeatedly. But it was frustrating and didn't provide a lot of nuance to their own individual characters - they just all seemed the same. Additionally, they were not necessarily likable characters, which I could have gotten on board with if they were exciting and nuanced. I think that was lacking here, and I had trouble rooting for (or against) them - I was simply disinterested in their progression. I was thankful to have the plot with a couple of twists along the way to keep me vested because, without that, this would not have been a good read for me. Take it with a grain of salt, though, because I heavily err on the importance of connecting with the characters, their nuance, and their uniqueness.
Also, unexpected pregnancies are not my jam (not a spoiler!); however, it had little sway on my rating because it truly was part of the point.
Lastly, all the trauma, frustration, and anger were tied up so neatly at the end. I don't mind this per se, but I think it made the last 10% feel slightly rushed and thrown together.
Overall, though, this was a beautiful read, and I look forward to seeing what Thao Thai produces in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, and Racism