jmalone3's review
3.0
This book is heartbreaking and beautiful, but not my cup of tea. I understand that Vietnam has been brutalized in so many ways, but to read this book was having trauma thrown in my face for every single page and unfortunately with the last few pages meaning to bring hope, all I felt was empty. The author did a wonderful job and I cannot say enough how fantastic of a writer she is, but this book just wasn't for me.
samraetom's review
I listened to this book on Audible and really loved it. It was hard at first to keep up with as it changes from past to present throughout the book. But I think that would not be an issue in hard copy.
She shares the stories of her family for three generations as they face the political unrest and war in Vietnam from the perspective of a northern landowner. This perspective and the storytelling of the author give you an interesting view of the era. I learned so much about the culture.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning a new perspective on history.
She shares the stories of her family for three generations as they face the political unrest and war in Vietnam from the perspective of a northern landowner. This perspective and the storytelling of the author give you an interesting view of the era. I learned so much about the culture.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning a new perspective on history.
emmareeser's review
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
guate_a_cuban's review
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
chloeoldroyd's review against another edition
5.0
The book had me bawling my bloody eyes out. Such an amazing historical fiction.
hannii_1310's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
greenej's review against another edition
4.0
The Mountains Sing tells a sweeping story of Vietnam across the 20th century, from the perspective of a young girl and her grandmother. It has been compared to Pachinko, although the main parallel I see is that in both novels the plot moves along briskly and engagingly. There's much hardship and pain in this story but it is not by any means depressing--it is illuminating. I learned a lot, particularly about the terror involved in land reform of the 1950s. We need a film made from this book, to tell the story of the Vietnam war from a Vietnamese, not American, perspective.
the_bibliophile_archives's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0