A review by hickorynut
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was an exquisitely illustrated story of a modern family telling stories that combined elements of Vietnamese folklore with the stories of Cinderella and the Little Mermaid. Tien's mother Helen is a Vietnamese immigrant who uses reading out loud to help her converse with her son growing up in America with English as his primary language. The stories of both Cinderella and the Little Mermaid reflect the journeys of each modern family member and the family's immigration story.

The mythological elements were stunning and had a twisted darkness to them. At times I did wish there was a little more depth and emotional processing by all the characters, modern and mythological. But overall the stories were beautifully woven and a lovely read.
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