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teaandlibri's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good debut novel A Chinese man watches the beginning of the Vietnam War and beyond in this first novel by Dr. Vincent Lam. I had gone back and forth about whether to read it (the blurb did not intrigue me) but I decided to pick it up on a whim at the library.
And was it a great chance pick, all things considered. Percival Chen is a headmaster at an English school in Vietnam. He has his son, an acrimonious but somewhat civil relationship with his ex-wife, enough money to go gambling and buy prostitutes, what else is there to his life? It turns out there will be a lot more. His son makes what is perceived as a political protest and in fear Percival sends his son to China, his own homeland.
While his missing son becomes a background story that waits to be resolved, Percival falls in love with a prostitute he "won," Jacqueline. A mixed French and Vietnamese woman, she becomes his habit and soon becomes his mistress. He falls in love with her. The biggest problem, he thinks, is that she is not Chinese. But he loves her anyway and finds himself overjoyed that he has a son with her. Percival is not exactly a likeable protagonist--he often thinks how Jacqueline is not Chinese, he perhaps rapes his wife (at the very least she seemed partially unwilling) on their wedding night, sometimes he can have obnoxious tunnel vision about the events going on around him. He loves his sons (both of them, and that love is a big driving force of the book), but sometimes he does see his first son for who he is.
But against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, all is not well. His first-born son is forced into the re-education camps in China. His new family is in danger with the fact that they are of mixed heritage. And Percival finds that those closest to him are hiding secrets of their own.
Initially I wasn't too impressed with the book during the first couple of chapters, which seemed like a boring family conflict. But woven with the historical context in the broad sense (Lam writes in his acknowledgements at the end that his family's history served as an inspiration and is apparently at least partially fictionalized in the book) the book soon becomes much more engrossing than I had imagined.
Unfortunately while it mostly makes for an engaging read, I couldn't help but roll my eyes a bit at some of the romance/love triangle cliches the author used. It was somewhat understandable given the context (women who had been in relationships with US soldiers find themselves with no money, no husband, no way out of Vietnam and a child/family to take care of), I thought it was somewhat ridiculous. It was also conveniently tied off when one member of the triangle dies. It wasn't surprising how he died, but it was convenient for the plot.
Which brings me to the end of the book. For most of the novel we get concrete answers to what happens to various people and what were their motives. What happens to Percival's missing son. How his relationship with his ex-wife is resolved (somewhat). How the love triangle is resolved and how it affects Percival's second family. How that Percival knows just the right people to buy his escape towards the end. But the very end of the novel is cut short mid-scene and the reader is left to imagine Percival's fate. I choose to believe he will end up happy (as happy as he can be at the end of all he's been through), but I just don't understand why the author chose to end the book the way he did.
Overall, though, I was pleased to pick this up. A little slow at first but an engrossing read. Would probably make a great airplane book. But be warned, there are several scenes of violence. Descriptions of a beating, monks immolating themselves in public, children being publicly executed, all described in great detail. It was still an engrossing read and I'd recommend it.
And was it a great chance pick, all things considered. Percival Chen is a headmaster at an English school in Vietnam. He has his son, an acrimonious but somewhat civil relationship with his ex-wife, enough money to go gambling and buy prostitutes, what else is there to his life? It turns out there will be a lot more. His son makes what is perceived as a political protest and in fear Percival sends his son to China, his own homeland.
While his missing son becomes a background story that waits to be resolved, Percival falls in love with a prostitute he "won," Jacqueline. A mixed French and Vietnamese woman, she becomes his habit and soon becomes his mistress. He falls in love with her. The biggest problem, he thinks, is that she is not Chinese. But he loves her anyway and finds himself overjoyed that he has a son with her. Percival is not exactly a likeable protagonist--he often thinks how Jacqueline is not Chinese, he perhaps rapes his wife (at the very least she seemed partially unwilling) on their wedding night, sometimes he can have obnoxious tunnel vision about the events going on around him. He loves his sons (both of them, and that love is a big driving force of the book), but sometimes he does see his first son for who he is.
But against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, all is not well. His first-born son is forced into the re-education camps in China. His new family is in danger with the fact that they are of mixed heritage. And Percival finds that those closest to him are hiding secrets of their own.
Initially I wasn't too impressed with the book during the first couple of chapters, which seemed like a boring family conflict. But woven with the historical context in the broad sense (Lam writes in his acknowledgements at the end that his family's history served as an inspiration and is apparently at least partially fictionalized in the book) the book soon becomes much more engrossing than I had imagined.
Unfortunately while it mostly makes for an engaging read, I couldn't help but roll my eyes a bit at some of the romance/love triangle cliches the author used. It was somewhat understandable given the context (women who had been in relationships with US soldiers find themselves with no money, no husband, no way out of Vietnam and a child/family to take care of), I thought it was somewhat ridiculous. It was also conveniently tied off when one member of the triangle dies. It wasn't surprising how he died, but it was convenient for the plot.
Which brings me to the end of the book. For most of the novel we get concrete answers to what happens to various people and what were their motives. What happens to Percival's missing son. How his relationship with his ex-wife is resolved (somewhat). How the love triangle is resolved and how it affects Percival's second family. How that Percival knows just the right people to buy his escape towards the end. But the very end of the novel is cut short mid-scene and the reader is left to imagine Percival's fate. I choose to believe he will end up happy (as happy as he can be at the end of all he's been through), but I just don't understand why the author chose to end the book the way he did.
Overall, though, I was pleased to pick this up. A little slow at first but an engrossing read. Would probably make a great airplane book. But be warned, there are several scenes of violence. Descriptions of a beating, monks immolating themselves in public, children being publicly executed, all described in great detail. It was still an engrossing read and I'd recommend it.
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.
phenomenal_woman's review against another edition
3.0
characters: Chen Pie Sou or Percival Chen, Pai Jai, Cecilia, Mak, Jacqueline, Laing Jai)
Very different from Lam's first book. Historically set in Vietnam during the war, the story of one man and his devotion to his son(s) in trying not to repeat the mistakes of his own father. But I couldn't help wondering, what is Lam trying to say? That we are destined to repeat the mistakes of our parents? That love is blindly optimistic? Good book, but missing a nugget of something for me.
Very different from Lam's first book. Historically set in Vietnam during the war, the story of one man and his devotion to his son(s) in trying not to repeat the mistakes of his own father. But I couldn't help wondering, what is Lam trying to say? That we are destined to repeat the mistakes of our parents? That love is blindly optimistic? Good book, but missing a nugget of something for me.
mkesten's review against another edition
3.0
Many years ago I was chatting with an accountant friend who was of Chinese heritage but who grew up in Indonesia. We were discussing racial stereotypes in the east and in the west. I remember his comment that "The Chinese are the Jews of the East." His point was that outside of China, the Chinese are viewed with suspicion and resentment, and that anytime a society faces a major tragedy or challenge, the Chinese are the first to be blamed. I was reminded of this reading The Headmaster's Wager by Vincent Lam. Racism and racial stereotypes underlie much of the action in this serious novel. I emphasize serious because this is not a happy novel. Lam's protagonist, Percival Chen, is an ex patriot Chinese living outside of Saigon in the cruel years of WWII up until the American withdrawal in the 1970's. The Japanese invaders ruled with legendary brutality. Life in South Vietnam after the Japanese improved, but the regime's sponsors often looked the other way to corruption, violence, and cruelty. And political killings continued after the unification of Communist Vietnam. Chen is a great mirror for events of the time specifically because he is an outsider. Vietnamese usually show him the worst side of themselves, and people see him as just another money grubbing Chinese. He gambles. He whores. He eats sumptuous meals. I think the meals are probably the most appetizing part of the story, an offset to the gross beatings, and disembowelments, and suicide. I'm sure there was something nice about living in Vietnam during this period. The American occupation seems to have brought out the worst and sometimes the best in the very nationalistic Vietnamese. I recommend this story to readers. But be prepared for the worst...and sometimes the best in human ingenuity.
megan_prairierose's review against another edition
3.0
The book was very well written, but the main character was such a jerk that it was impossible for me to have any sympathy for him.
309804490's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mikayladlewis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Following the life of Percival, a Chinese living in Vietnam during the 50s, 60s, and 70s you are taken on a journey of corruption, greed, ignorance, and love.
This book was not an easy read, and I don't think it was meant to be an easy read. The main character is a hot mess and very human, I think that is why I kept reading. His story is tragic, and his perseverance is admirable, I couldn't fault him on his decisions because who is to say I would/wouldn't do any differently. The author created a story that felt very real and honest, painting a brutal picture of this time while also capturing some of the beauty. I struggled with the pacing sometimes and the lack of self-control from the main character, however, it was an excellent story of such a difficult time.
This book was not an easy read, and I don't think it was meant to be an easy read. The main character is a hot mess and very human, I think that is why I kept reading. His story is tragic, and his perseverance is admirable, I couldn't fault him on his decisions because who is to say I would/wouldn't do any differently. The author created a story that felt very real and honest, painting a brutal picture of this time while also capturing some of the beauty. I struggled with the pacing sometimes and the lack of self-control from the main character, however, it was an excellent story of such a difficult time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, War, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Addiction, Transphobia, Torture, Racism, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Infidelity, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide