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A review by anusha_reads
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
emotional
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
DUST CHILD, BOOK BY NGUYỄN PHAN QUẾ MA
A poignant tale that connects many people affected by the Vietnam War. In this tale, every character is worthy of empathy as they suffer their own. The war affects everybody and the aftereffects or people traumatized by it react in their own way.
This book is a historical fiction/war story that moves back and forth. Each character's tale is moving,and the author has brilliantly portrayed the struggles in their lives. The story shows discrimination based on colour, gender, and class.
Why can't people accept people for what they are?
How does it matter who they are or where they are from?
The author has written in the beginning that this book was a result of her Ph.D. research. The author has projected the traumas and the impact of the war so realistically that one can visualise it. The simplicity of the language and the captivating storyline set a happy and sad tone while creating intrigue and a want-to-know-more kind of situation at the end of each chapter.
On one side, sisters, Trang and Quynh, desperate to help their parents pay off their debts,become bar girls. On another side, an Amerasian orphan, Phong, is frantically looking for his parents. Many years later,Dan returns to Vietnam looking for his girlfriend and child.
I found Trang's story very evocative and kept hoping everything would turn out well for Trang. I loved this character who is shown as a sweet and simple girl who earnestly works to earn money to support and help her parents. She is also a loving and caring sister.
Why do women pardon men if they cheat on them? If one imagined a role reversal ,would the man be able to pardon the wife?
Though Dan is portrayed as being severely traumatised by the war, having seen death face to face is quite pitiable. But I hated this character for dumping his girlfriend and running off. Throughout the story, I couldn’t empathise with him.
Pyong’s trying to feel belonged can be felt throughout the book- for he tries so hard to find a place to call his own! There is a sense of helplessness, exclusion, hostility, and unwantedness that Pyong faces. He is ill-treated, traumatised, and is looked down upon. I felt very bad for Phong.
I hate wars and war-based books, but this is such a beautifully written book that does not showcase the war predominantly but can be felt in the backdrop. I do recommend you read this beauty for sure!
A poignant tale that connects many people affected by the Vietnam War. In this tale, every character is worthy of empathy as they suffer their own. The war affects everybody and the aftereffects or people traumatized by it react in their own way.
This book is a historical fiction/war story that moves back and forth. Each character's tale is moving,and the author has brilliantly portrayed the struggles in their lives. The story shows discrimination based on colour, gender, and class.
Why can't people accept people for what they are?
How does it matter who they are or where they are from?
The author has written in the beginning that this book was a result of her Ph.D. research. The author has projected the traumas and the impact of the war so realistically that one can visualise it. The simplicity of the language and the captivating storyline set a happy and sad tone while creating intrigue and a want-to-know-more kind of situation at the end of each chapter.
On one side, sisters, Trang and Quynh, desperate to help their parents pay off their debts,become bar girls. On another side, an Amerasian orphan, Phong, is frantically looking for his parents. Many years later,Dan returns to Vietnam looking for his girlfriend and child.
I found Trang's story very evocative and kept hoping everything would turn out well for Trang. I loved this character who is shown as a sweet and simple girl who earnestly works to earn money to support and help her parents. She is also a loving and caring sister.
Why do women pardon men if they cheat on them? If one imagined a role reversal ,would the man be able to pardon the wife?
Though Dan is portrayed as being severely traumatised by the war, having seen death face to face is quite pitiable. But I hated this character for dumping his girlfriend and running off. Throughout the story, I couldn’t empathise with him.
Pyong’s trying to feel belonged can be felt throughout the book- for he tries so hard to find a place to call his own! There is a sense of helplessness, exclusion, hostility, and unwantedness that Pyong faces. He is ill-treated, traumatised, and is looked down upon. I felt very bad for Phong.
I hate wars and war-based books, but this is such a beautifully written book that does not showcase the war predominantly but can be felt in the backdrop. I do recommend you read this beauty for sure!