A review by amartinios
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

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

4.5

A beautiful and magical story about a young teenage boy struggling with his homosexuality and the question of when and how to tell his parents. The stories of the characters are beautifully mirrored in each of the fairy tales used in this story.
I found the last one, told by Tiến's mother, the most beautiful, as it perfectly illustrated her acceptance of her son. That even if neither of them fully knew the words in Vietnamese to discuss it and understand it, that she loved him, all of him, and wanted to see him grow up and be happy.
A magical and touching story, told in beautiful illustrations. 
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