A review by sagoprojector
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Viet Tranh Nguyen’s style in examining what the Vietnamese experience is like in the land of the free is a double-edged sword: an espionage thriller that manages to be witty and full of satire, but with prose that doesn’t always work for me. Nonetheless, this is still a good book detailing not only the struggle of being a spy and an immigrant post-Vietnam War, but also an authentic tale of friendship shared in times of calamity.