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

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A testament to the importance of own voices in literature, ‘The Mountains Sing’ immerses you in Vietnamese history and culture. Transported to Ha Noi, 1972. You are witness to the lasting impacts of war and conflict though the eyes of Hương and her grandmother, Trần Diệu Lan.

While this novel is harrowing, it is also hopefully. The characters are passionate, resilient and loving. The poetic but powerful prose uncovers the beauty shrouded by the devestation of war. The idioms throughout and the explanations of meanings and importance of family names, keeps the language and memories alive of those lost.

Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai’s multi award winning writing is just one example of her continued effort to promote peace and  awareness.

“𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦'𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.”
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