govnogod's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
yoavf's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
What a gripping story. I enjoyed every moment of this book, the places and times it took me to, and how it made me feel.
What a gripping story. I enjoyed every moment of this book, the places and times it took me to, and how it made me feel.
paulh99's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nabilahs's review against another edition
4.0
What an amazing brutal story of pre and post-Vietnam War. A dark narrative of an unnamed narrator who acted as a double agent for both South and North Vietnam. The story started at the Fall of Saigon and a captain try to flee for the US with his family and friends. Safe to say, the central issue is heavy and the writing style is challenging as the text lack of punctuation in dialogue. I must say, this book is not for everyone.
A brilliant epic story of love for the homeland, a poignant love of the refugees, and betrayal --- a great exploration of identity.
A brilliant epic story of love for the homeland, a poignant love of the refugees, and betrayal --- a great exploration of identity.
rockyc5's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Not as much of a thriller as billed as
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
varyaw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
olivialong's review against another edition
4.0
Nguyen’s book is a scathingly witty, satirical novel following a Vietnamese communist sympathizer during and after the Vietnam War. More than that, though, it attacks (in the best way possible) the misconceptions of the ideality of America and everything we have been taught that this country stands for. This book is so so important.
jadom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-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
5.0
champagneghost's review against another edition
3.0
"I was the kind bothered less by sinning than by unoriginality" Nguyen's unnamed protagonist proudly states, and this particular habit of Nguyen mars what would have been a truly spectacular book.
Nguyen is clearly interested in writing a book with an original voice but the end result comes off as being overwritten. Lines like "I liked my scotch like I liked my truth, undiluted" and "...this woman whose divine figure was the symbol of infinity turned upright onto its rounded bottom" made me roll my eyes so much that when the book was due at the library and I was only 2/3 of the way through, I was ready to just let it go. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I did end up getting it from the library again and am glad I eventually finished it. Despite the eye rolling, a lot of what Nguyen was saying also resonated with me -- I found myself nodding emphatically in agreement/recognition at bits like, "If you do not claim America, if America is not in your heart, America will throw you into a concentration camp or a reservation or a plantation." Ultimately, what Nguyen is saying is important & powerful enough to combat how he says it.
Nguyen is clearly interested in writing a book with an original voice but the end result comes off as being overwritten. Lines like "I liked my scotch like I liked my truth, undiluted" and "...this woman whose divine figure was the symbol of infinity turned upright onto its rounded bottom" made me roll my eyes so much that when the book was due at the library and I was only 2/3 of the way through, I was ready to just let it go. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I did end up getting it from the library again and am glad I eventually finished it. Despite the eye rolling, a lot of what Nguyen was saying also resonated with me -- I found myself nodding emphatically in agreement/recognition at bits like, "If you do not claim America, if America is not in your heart, America will throw you into a concentration camp or a reservation or a plantation." Ultimately, what Nguyen is saying is important & powerful enough to combat how he says it.