Scan barcode
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Huong lever med sin mormor i Hanoi. Hennes far är utkallad i kriget och hennes mor, som är läkare, har gett sig ut i kriget för att leta efter honom. Medan de hukar undan amerikanska bomber och väntar på föräldrarnas hemkomst så får Huong ovärderliga lektioner om livet av sin mormor.
Det här är en gripande och fantastiskt skriven skildring av ett land och en släkts historia. Vietnam koloniserades av Frankrike under 1800-talet och direkt efter andra världskriget utbröt Indokinakriget (1946-1954), som fördes mellan den vietnamesiska motståndsrörelsen och Frankrike. Fransmännen besegrades och lämnade landet. Detta resulterade i en delning av Vietnam i Nord och Syd och fortsatte sedan med Vietnamkriget. Det är nästan ofattbart att ett land kan "återuppstå" efter så många år av ständiga krig. Familjen vi får följa är med om fruktansvärda händelser och det är självklart jobbigt att läsa om. Tack och lov finns där ljusglimtar i form av beslutsamhet, hopp och kärlek, så det är inte bara elände.
Det känns som om jag kommer karaktärerna nära, de känns som riktiga människor. Jag älskar alla "inslängda" vietnamesiska ord och citat, det blir väldigt äkta, och jag är glad att jag lyssnat så jag fått höra uttalen. Jag lärde mig också en hel del om Vietnams historia, utan att det kändes som en historielektion, och numera vet jag t ex vad "jordreformen" innebar. Jag är väldigt glad att jag läste den här boken, särskilt med tanke på att jag läser alldeles för lite litteratur från Asien. Rekommenderas varmt!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
thevietvegan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
annreadsabook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Mountains Sing is a truly powerful and heartbreaking family saga that spans multiple generations, focusing specifically on the women in the Trần family through almost a century of Vietnamese history. Each of the characters in the novel is so carefully crafted and their experiences and emotions so vivid and complex. There is the tension between Hương’s experiences of American-ness through the lens of Little House in the Big Woods compared to the damage the U.S. wreaked on Vietnam; shifting ideas of “enemy” throughout the novel; and an examination of community, compassion, and family. The relationship between Hương and Grandma Diệu Lan is so endearing and beautiful, and I loved the way that passages focusing on Grandma Diệu Lan are written as though telling a story to Hương. Just precious.
This was definitely a difficult read given the heavy nature of the content, and anyone who is interested in this book (I hope everyone is because it is just phenomenal) should check out the content warnings before delving in.
If you love historical and intergenerational fiction like Do Not Say We Have Nothing, Homegoing, or Pachinko, you should absolutely get your hands (or ears) on The Mountains Sing. I hear that Dr. Nguyễn is writing another book called Dust Child and I’m already sold, sight unseen—her writing is just THAT good.
This was definitely a difficult read given the heavy nature of the content, and anyone who is interested in this book (I hope everyone is because it is just phenomenal) should check out the content warnings before delving in.
If you love historical and intergenerational fiction like Do Not Say We Have Nothing, Homegoing, or Pachinko, you should absolutely get your hands (or ears) on The Mountains Sing. I hear that Dr. Nguyễn is writing another book called Dust Child and I’m already sold, sight unseen—her writing is just THAT good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Rape
alexhaydon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism and Rape
hilarylouise's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Terminal illness
mirrie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder
readwithffi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Oh Guava, I used to think that we were the ones in charge of our destinies, but I learned then that, in time of war, normal citizens were nothing but leaves that would fall in the thousands or millions in the surge of a single storm"
CW: war, murder, rape
The Mountains Sing is an incredible book. Probably my favourite ever. So, if you haven't got time to read through this review, just trust me that you need to put this at the top of your TBR!!
So, a quick synopsis: The Mountains Sing is a multi-perspective historical fiction book based in Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War. Hương is growing up during the war, and lives with her Grandma Diệu Lan, while the rest of her family has gone to the frontlines. For half of the book (every other chapter), we hear about Hương's life in Hà Nội, and for the other half, Hương's Grandma leads us through tales of her past during the rise of Communism in Northern Viet Nam and The Land Reform.
I really think OwnVoice historical fiction books are the best reading experience you can get. I truly truly love knowing that the author is having their voice/the voice of their ancestors heard in some way.
Clearly the plot had me hooked, but the writing!! Every page transported me to the beauty of Viet Nam. Strangely, the most 'beautiful' passages were often against the backdrop to the most gruesome scenes in Grandma Diệu Lan's chapters. I think there's definitely something to be said about finding beauty in places of darkness as a key theme in this book.
In the depths of war, life can be treated as disposable. But The Mountains Sing gives the reader hope and a sense of humanity. I feel a deep love for Grandma Diệu Lan and her ability to afford kindness to everyone she crosses - even though those people often don't act the same way towards her.
Somehow this was the most gruesome, yet beautiful and hopeful book I've read in a while. And I HIGHLY recommend it.
CW: war, murder, rape
The Mountains Sing is an incredible book. Probably my favourite ever. So, if you haven't got time to read through this review, just trust me that you need to put this at the top of your TBR!!
So, a quick synopsis: The Mountains Sing is a multi-perspective historical fiction book based in Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War. Hương is growing up during the war, and lives with her Grandma Diệu Lan, while the rest of her family has gone to the frontlines. For half of the book (every other chapter), we hear about Hương's life in Hà Nội, and for the other half, Hương's Grandma leads us through tales of her past during the rise of Communism in Northern Viet Nam and The Land Reform.
I really think OwnVoice historical fiction books are the best reading experience you can get. I truly truly love knowing that the author is having their voice/the voice of their ancestors heard in some way.
Clearly the plot had me hooked, but the writing!! Every page transported me to the beauty of Viet Nam. Strangely, the most 'beautiful' passages were often against the backdrop to the most gruesome scenes in Grandma Diệu Lan's chapters. I think there's definitely something to be said about finding beauty in places of darkness as a key theme in this book.
In the depths of war, life can be treated as disposable. But The Mountains Sing gives the reader hope and a sense of humanity. I feel a deep love for Grandma Diệu Lan and her ability to afford kindness to everyone she crosses - even though those people often don't act the same way towards her.
Somehow this was the most gruesome, yet beautiful and hopeful book I've read in a while. And I HIGHLY recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Murder