A review by tui_la_dao
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This hitorical fiction by the author Nguyen Phan Que Mai is brilliant and touching until the very last page. “The challenges faced by the Vietnamese people throughout history are as tall as the tallest mountains”, but thanks to the author, me and, I believe, other readers could stand “far enough to see the mountain tops”, like Huong, and close enough to live the sufferings and feel the strength from our ancestors. 

The book tells me many events that won’t be discussed at all or from many sides in usual history textbooks, which makes it a very important book since it tells our history in a more open, inclusive, and honest way. Only with open discussion can we understand, sympathize with our long, great history, sympathize with all the sacrifices and pains that were traded for reunification and peace today, and recognize our responsibility as a Vietnamese citizen in peaceful time.

The book has helped me learn and memorize the history of my country faster than many years I spent in the school’s history classes. The story of the family Tran from Nghe An province is going to be something I remember for a very long time to come.

I have many more to say about this book. But most importantly, i was not biased prior to picking up this book, I was actually very doubtful and didn’t want to immediately like a book just because it is about Vietnam, but I fell in love with it more and more as the stories go on. And completely as the stories came to an end.