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mrblackbean11's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts out pretty lukewarm... it's all about the $$$ and it gets a little tiring after a while. Watching the father build up and lose his fortune multiple times and have it all end in tragedy is ... expected for modern fiction, but not my favorite. This is a 3.25 stars, and I would recommend if you are looking for some complex fiction about war time.
jeremychiasson's review against another edition
2.0
The first two-thirds were a bit of a slog. I almost gave up on it a few times, and I fell asleep more than once reading it. But the last third of the book was very good and finally provided some sort of payoff.
The descriptions of medical procedures were, unsurprisingly, wonderful. The sex scenes were vividly portrayed as well. I got really sick of the repetitive historical details and the focus on currency though.
I know this book is supposed to be highly-anticipated, but I predict the reception will be lukewarm (critically and commercially). An adequate work by a better than adequate author.
The descriptions of medical procedures were, unsurprisingly, wonderful. The sex scenes were vividly portrayed as well. I got really sick of the repetitive historical details and the focus on currency though.
I know this book is supposed to be highly-anticipated, but I predict the reception will be lukewarm (critically and commercially). An adequate work by a better than adequate author.
bookthia's review against another edition
3.0
I cannot deny that Vincent Lam is a gifted writer. But while I appreciated the story itself, even enjoyed it in parts, I struggled. The main character of Percival Chen was difficult for me to like, because of his wilful ignorance. How could he not have known what was happening all around him? His weak nature allowed everyone to take advantage of him. His apathy towards the political realities of his community, coupled with his greed, meant thst he lost everything that mattered to him. And I had a hard time finding empathy. Still, the story itself, set in Vietnam during and just after the US invasion when North and South Vietnam are embroiled in civil war, is gripping and a chilling glimpse at the realities faced by the people of Saigon during that period. And for that glimpse, this book is worth reading.
lostinagoodread's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on Cozy Up With A Good Read
I was happy to get to read this book. I absolutely love Canadian books and authors. I was really interested to read something by Vincent Lam (never have before) and see how he can add all this into a story and base it around the Vietnam war. I can tell you that this was definitely a beautiful story!
I found this book difficult in the beginning, but I pushed through and am really happy I stuck with it because as the story went on I found myself really invested in everything that was happening. Vincent Lam takes a lot of the beginning of the book to have his readers understand Percival, he goes into his history a bit to show what he has already been through. That was the part I had a few issues getting through, the book went back and forth between Percival's past and the present time of the story without actually mentioning that (each chapter goes back and forth). Though I did enjoy that Vincent invests a lot of the beginning of the book into the history of the main character because it has the readers understand his situation more, and why he does some of the things he does.
I enjoyed how the book was broken up into different parts. Each part of the story represented a new part in Percival's life. It was a good way to break the book up and it really shows when the important events are happening. Vincent Lam also has a way with words, his descriptions throughout the book are beautiful and bring everything to life for the reader.
I really enjoyed connecting with Percival's character, I found myself being more invested in the story in the second half. There was a lot more drama happening and I found I was seeing more of Percival's emotions later on. He was a very interesting character for me throughout the book. It seemed that Percival was ignorant of the events around him (or pretended to be ignorant). It was interesting to see how the Vietnam war really affected the story, I was not expecting it to revolve so much around the war, but I found many instances where the war helped decide the outcome of an event in Percival's life.
The love story was very interesting for me. I found it different than other love stories that I have previously read. The hardships the characters go through are much different, and the way the characters deal with these were interesting. I was very surprised at how things were wrapped up at the end. This story definitely pulls you in and keeps you invested in reading to find out what happens next.
Vincent Lam brings a beautiful story to life in ugly times of war. This story makes you think about your life and how you would do things if you were in that position. Pick this book up, it is definitely great Canadian literature!
I was happy to get to read this book. I absolutely love Canadian books and authors. I was really interested to read something by Vincent Lam (never have before) and see how he can add all this into a story and base it around the Vietnam war. I can tell you that this was definitely a beautiful story!
I found this book difficult in the beginning, but I pushed through and am really happy I stuck with it because as the story went on I found myself really invested in everything that was happening. Vincent Lam takes a lot of the beginning of the book to have his readers understand Percival, he goes into his history a bit to show what he has already been through. That was the part I had a few issues getting through, the book went back and forth between Percival's past and the present time of the story without actually mentioning that (each chapter goes back and forth). Though I did enjoy that Vincent invests a lot of the beginning of the book into the history of the main character because it has the readers understand his situation more, and why he does some of the things he does.
I enjoyed how the book was broken up into different parts. Each part of the story represented a new part in Percival's life. It was a good way to break the book up and it really shows when the important events are happening. Vincent Lam also has a way with words, his descriptions throughout the book are beautiful and bring everything to life for the reader.
I really enjoyed connecting with Percival's character, I found myself being more invested in the story in the second half. There was a lot more drama happening and I found I was seeing more of Percival's emotions later on. He was a very interesting character for me throughout the book. It seemed that Percival was ignorant of the events around him (or pretended to be ignorant). It was interesting to see how the Vietnam war really affected the story, I was not expecting it to revolve so much around the war, but I found many instances where the war helped decide the outcome of an event in Percival's life.
The love story was very interesting for me. I found it different than other love stories that I have previously read. The hardships the characters go through are much different, and the way the characters deal with these were interesting. I was very surprised at how things were wrapped up at the end. This story definitely pulls you in and keeps you invested in reading to find out what happens next.
Vincent Lam brings a beautiful story to life in ugly times of war. This story makes you think about your life and how you would do things if you were in that position. Pick this book up, it is definitely great Canadian literature!
emmkayt's review against another edition
4.0
I found this hard to put down - it was a real page-turner for me. Hadn't read anything set in Vietnam before, and found the particular setting (expatriate Chinese community) very interesting. The interpersonal stuff was pure melodrama, but none the worse for it. Although it's in the third person, the reader sees events and people only through the eyes of the main character. Consequently I found the female characters and the Vietnamese characters rather one-dimensional. However, I'm not quite sure how that could have been avoided given the eyes through which the reader is seeing them. One female character, in particular, came across as the exotic other par excellence.
yangyvonne's review against another edition
3.0
As a child, Percival Chen saw his father leave China for Saigon and the promise of more money. When his mother died and the Japanese began to occupy, he fled with his bride of convenience to his father in Saigon. He used his father's business as a way to make even more money as an elite school for the English-Language studies. By the 1960's, he was well-versed in bribing officials, gambling, and local women. When his son is arrested for what is seen as a political offense, Percival is forced to use all of his strength, connections, wealth, and creativity to fight for his release. When released, he is drafted into the military and must serve. Percival manages to help him escape to China, but had no idea his son would then fall prey to the Communist movement and be harassed due to his family's wealth. Percival also learns that the child he has been raising with a local girl is actually his grandson and he was tricked. They leave for America as things worsen in Vietnam. In the end, Percival is waiting for a refugee boat, going to reunite with them in America.
This is seriously one of the most hopeless and depressing books I have ever read. Percival just could not catch any breaks and really did nothing to help his situation. Every gambling outing made me nervous. The beating he underwent at the hands of his best friend was brutal. The fact that he didn't know his friend was Viet Kong was horrible and then to drive-up on his burnt, dead body in a car later was horrific. Getting the lead-up story to the Vietnam War was fantastic and especially so from the viewpoint of a non-American foreigner. I was shocked at the twist that his youngest son turned-out to be his grandson, but even more shocked that he was willing to give-up his children (by sending them away) without more of a fight. I would bet he never makes it to America or that the boat he is waiting for is ambushed, if only based on his history of bad luck. But, I appreciate the open ending because it is the only real hope in the book.
This is seriously one of the most hopeless and depressing books I have ever read. Percival just could not catch any breaks and really did nothing to help his situation. Every gambling outing made me nervous. The beating he underwent at the hands of his best friend was brutal. The fact that he didn't know his friend was Viet Kong was horrible and then to drive-up on his burnt, dead body in a car later was horrific. Getting the lead-up story to the Vietnam War was fantastic and especially so from the viewpoint of a non-American foreigner. I was shocked at the twist that his youngest son turned-out to be his grandson, but even more shocked that he was willing to give-up his children (by sending them away) without more of a fight. I would bet he never makes it to America or that the boat he is waiting for is ambushed, if only based on his history of bad luck. But, I appreciate the open ending because it is the only real hope in the book.
salixnivalis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
4.0
After Anouk Markovits' I Am Forbidden blew my mind, I was pretty curious to see what Hogarth's other offerings would be like, and if they continue putting out books as good as this and I Am Forbidden, then I will be a very happy, happy readergirl.
Forgive me in advance for my clumsy attempt to summarize this novel; it is more rich than what I can articulate. Set in 1960s Vietnam, the story follows Percival Chen, a Chinese headmaster living in Cholon with his son. As the country shifts from being a French colony, as the conflict with China grows, as the American presence (and impact) in Vietnam increases, Chen's English-language school gains and loses privilege in the shifting political landscape. When Chen's son makes an stupid, patriotic gesture that has violent ramifications, Chen is forced to confront the changes around him and the loss of power the Chinese community once had. Chen's vices -- women and gambling -- become his escape and his punishment, and he constantly re-evaluates just what he'll wager to save what -- and who -- he loves.
Lam's writing is lovely, descriptive but not weighty. I'm wholly unfamiliar with the Chinese community in Vietnam but I was able to understand Chen's life, his values, his passions, his foibles, as well as the shifting politics of the place, and in Chen, I found a very flawed, very sad, very fascinating character. (Although I'll be honest: I really want a novel about his ex-wife Cecilia! She's a flinty one.)
Even at 400+ pages, this novel read quickly. Lam balances sex, violence, war, and inner turmoil wonderfully; his cast is complicated and interesting. Those who might not consider themselves interested in the Vietnam War will find this a fascinating read for the unusual angle, the focus on family, race, identity, and community. As with Nayana Currimbhoy's Miss Timmins' School for Girls, I loved seeing the 1960s and 1970s in non-Western way.
Forgive me in advance for my clumsy attempt to summarize this novel; it is more rich than what I can articulate. Set in 1960s Vietnam, the story follows Percival Chen, a Chinese headmaster living in Cholon with his son. As the country shifts from being a French colony, as the conflict with China grows, as the American presence (and impact) in Vietnam increases, Chen's English-language school gains and loses privilege in the shifting political landscape. When Chen's son makes an stupid, patriotic gesture that has violent ramifications, Chen is forced to confront the changes around him and the loss of power the Chinese community once had. Chen's vices -- women and gambling -- become his escape and his punishment, and he constantly re-evaluates just what he'll wager to save what -- and who -- he loves.
Lam's writing is lovely, descriptive but not weighty. I'm wholly unfamiliar with the Chinese community in Vietnam but I was able to understand Chen's life, his values, his passions, his foibles, as well as the shifting politics of the place, and in Chen, I found a very flawed, very sad, very fascinating character. (Although I'll be honest: I really want a novel about his ex-wife Cecilia! She's a flinty one.)
Even at 400+ pages, this novel read quickly. Lam balances sex, violence, war, and inner turmoil wonderfully; his cast is complicated and interesting. Those who might not consider themselves interested in the Vietnam War will find this a fascinating read for the unusual angle, the focus on family, race, identity, and community. As with Nayana Currimbhoy's Miss Timmins' School for Girls, I loved seeing the 1960s and 1970s in non-Western way.
kieranyes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
Loved this! This is just such an engrossing, tragic and wild story and the setting is unique and well crafted. It's about a Chinese headmaster living in Saigon from WWII to the Vietnam-US War, and his troubled relationship with "home" and family. A lot of it revolves around the character's gambling, which are in a way how he conducts much of his life. Just great.
txc9649's review against another edition
4.0
It would come as no surprise to me if this book was based on a true story. The Headmaster's Wager is full of historical facts that are told by a Chinese immigrant. Vietnam before and after the war, in his eyes, was a beauty yet also a beast. Even though I'd like to give 5 stars rating for this book, those pages with the sexual encounters were holding me back. I think those pages are vulgar and irrelevant.