Scan barcode
zainub_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I, embarassingly, knew nothing about the political struggles and wars in Vietnam during the 60s and 70s or anything about its history of foreign occupation. Not knowing much of anything made this book a bit challenging as it is set against the backdrop of Vietnam's troubled past as well as the rise of Mao in China.
Despite some confusion caused by my political ignorance this was an extraordinary book that traces the life of Percival Chen from his childhood in China where he is abandoned by his fortune seeking father, through his doomed marriage to a wealthy classmate, on to his new life in Vietnam where he makes his own fortunes but suffers immensely in his personal life. This is a story about gambling everything away for love. It's about what the heart will wager to cling that which is more important than any sum of money in the world--family. It is a book with political intrigue, betrayals, and torture of the mind and body. It is about love so deep that anything might be sacrificed on its altar.
Don't expect to come out of this book unscathed. The amount of suffering packed into this book (fairly long as it is) begins to wear the reader down. There were times when I thought I couldn't go on as the tragedies piled up so high I thought I might drown in them myself. But I developed such an attachment to the protagonist that I was compelled to see him through, and know his eventual fate. Along the way I learned some things about the history of Vietnam and China as I silently begged for an ending that would include some redemption and peace.
Despite some confusion caused by my political ignorance this was an extraordinary book that traces the life of Percival Chen from his childhood in China where he is abandoned by his fortune seeking father, through his doomed marriage to a wealthy classmate, on to his new life in Vietnam where he makes his own fortunes but suffers immensely in his personal life. This is a story about gambling everything away for love. It's about what the heart will wager to cling that which is more important than any sum of money in the world--family. It is a book with political intrigue, betrayals, and torture of the mind and body. It is about love so deep that anything might be sacrificed on its altar.
Don't expect to come out of this book unscathed. The amount of suffering packed into this book (fairly long as it is) begins to wear the reader down. There were times when I thought I couldn't go on as the tragedies piled up so high I thought I might drown in them myself. But I developed such an attachment to the protagonist that I was compelled to see him through, and know his eventual fate. Along the way I learned some things about the history of Vietnam and China as I silently begged for an ending that would include some redemption and peace.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
A lot happened in this book, where to start? It took place over a few decades and even if a lot did not always happened to the character, then the world around him was re-shaped.
Percival is the principal of an English school. Is he a good guy? Well what is a good guy? He is kind (sort of), he cares about his family and tries to make their lives better. But at the same time he spends a lot of time gambling and whoring. But I would call him a good guy, a naive stupid man who is neither good or bad. Just human.
He leaves China when the Japanese comes. Then they come to Vietnam too (damn war is evil!). He marries, he has a son. He finds his father. The French, the Americans and later the Northern Army all fight over Vietnam (arghh I do not get communists! Fair, fair? There is nothing such as equal rights with them.) Yes this is a country that sees war, but it's not always present. He manages to stay away from much of it. But we do get a taste of the brutalities too.
Other people we get to know is his son, his ex-wife, who was a sort of a harpy but I liked her. Teacher Mak, Percival's mistress and many more. It's not a happy book so all of these wont be happy in the end. I felt sorry of the country, and of the people, and all the metisse children. But war and shaping a new country is never easy. It's bloody, horrible and disgusting.
I did come to realize that I know way too little of this era. Mostly cos what I know has been shaped through US eyes. And here we get the view of a Chinese man, who does not have it easy either as he is not liked either.
An interesting story
Percival is the principal of an English school. Is he a good guy? Well what is a good guy? He is kind (sort of), he cares about his family and tries to make their lives better. But at the same time he spends a lot of time gambling and whoring. But I would call him a good guy, a naive stupid man who is neither good or bad. Just human.
He leaves China when the Japanese comes. Then they come to Vietnam too (damn war is evil!). He marries, he has a son. He finds his father. The French, the Americans and later the Northern Army all fight over Vietnam (arghh I do not get communists! Fair, fair? There is nothing such as equal rights with them.) Yes this is a country that sees war, but it's not always present. He manages to stay away from much of it. But we do get a taste of the brutalities too.
Other people we get to know is his son, his ex-wife, who was a sort of a harpy but I liked her. Teacher Mak, Percival's mistress and many more. It's not a happy book so all of these wont be happy in the end. I felt sorry of the country, and of the people, and all the metisse children. But war and shaping a new country is never easy. It's bloody, horrible and disgusting.
I did come to realize that I know way too little of this era. Mostly cos what I know has been shaped through US eyes. And here we get the view of a Chinese man, who does not have it easy either as he is not liked either.
An interesting story
kimcheel's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading about the Vietnam War from a non-Western perspective, but I had a really hard time connecting with Percival. Good read though.
kathleenww's review against another edition
5.0
This was a book I selected to read and be the moderator for on an online (Facebook) book group. Initially, I was hesitant and a bit worried, since I was not sure if I would like this book, the premise sounded weird. Do not fear, I was immediately sucked into this story. It reads like an Amy Tan story (the close family ties, hopes and dreams of a Chinese family for their future and children), but is set in Vietnam during that terrible conflict.
Percival is a person with many faults, but his worse fault may also be most beneficial to his survival: he is in constant denial of the actual situations in front if him. Whether it is about his son, his father, his ex-wife, his new girlfriend, or the person he entrusts his family business to, he really never seems to be able to acknowledge what the truth is. Percival's story is both painful and illuminating, and his experience as a Chinese national in Vietnam in the 1970's will have the reader nervous. Tons of symbolism and interesting statements for discussion here, this would truly be a great read for any book group. Historical fiction at its best!
Percival is a person with many faults, but his worse fault may also be most beneficial to his survival: he is in constant denial of the actual situations in front if him. Whether it is about his son, his father, his ex-wife, his new girlfriend, or the person he entrusts his family business to, he really never seems to be able to acknowledge what the truth is. Percival's story is both painful and illuminating, and his experience as a Chinese national in Vietnam in the 1970's will have the reader nervous. Tons of symbolism and interesting statements for discussion here, this would truly be a great read for any book group. Historical fiction at its best!
mrstupper's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
ldv's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know if it is social commentary, stereotype, or simply characterization that led Lam to make his title character a Chinese ex-pat with such stereotype values, that of making money and love for his son, but that is what propels this story.
The setting is primarily Vietnam, from Japanese occupation to Northern Viet Cong "liberation." Percival is headmaster at an English school. He has the benefit of befriending someone who is very well connected and crafty to make the impossible happen. Good thing, because while Percival can gamble and pick up prostitutes, he is rather single-mindedly focussed on his son, his money, and his selfish desires.
I expected the book to be a typical tragedy in which the protagonist is at the top of his world only to be brought down low on a rollercoster ride, but that is not quite how the story progresses. Percival has a lot of luck (he does like to wager, a theme that carries throughout the story). The question sits with the reader: should Percival be making all these wagers or is he foolish to do so, even though he wins often enough? When should a person go "all in" for something they feel strongly about? Set in the historical period and setting it is makes this question more interesting than if it was in Las Vegas, for example.
It's a long story, sometimes frustrating because I did not 'care' for the headmaster, as I often prefer to feel for the protagonist. I was frustrated by his obsession with his son, but I was still pulled through the novel.
Not a top ten for me, but certainly interesting particularly because of its context.
The setting is primarily Vietnam, from Japanese occupation to Northern Viet Cong "liberation." Percival is headmaster at an English school. He has the benefit of befriending someone who is very well connected and crafty to make the impossible happen. Good thing, because while Percival can gamble and pick up prostitutes, he is rather single-mindedly focussed on his son, his money, and his selfish desires.
I expected the book to be a typical tragedy in which the protagonist is at the top of his world only to be brought down low on a rollercoster ride, but that is not quite how the story progresses. Percival has a lot of luck (he does like to wager, a theme that carries throughout the story). The question sits with the reader: should Percival be making all these wagers or is he foolish to do so, even though he wins often enough? When should a person go "all in" for something they feel strongly about? Set in the historical period and setting it is makes this question more interesting than if it was in Las Vegas, for example.
It's a long story, sometimes frustrating because I did not 'care' for the headmaster, as I often prefer to feel for the protagonist. I was frustrated by his obsession with his son, but I was still pulled through the novel.
Not a top ten for me, but certainly interesting particularly because of its context.
scallywag316's review against another edition
4.0
Well written characters kept me reading, the history intrigue me and of course Percival’s pride and prejudices which are ingrained in his character just as much as the traditions of his culture.
ibebrie's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting perspective on the Vietnam War. Even more interesting how the War was so far in the background. Enjoyed the mix of blatant and subtle irony as well as the cyclical manner of time and events.