Reviews tagging 'Pandemic/Epidemic'

Wandering Souls by Cécile Pin

5 reviews

maybak's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-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

4.0

I’ve listened to the audiobook version and found it quite enjoyable. I liked how the author, Cecile Pin, mixed fiction with historical facts (Margareth Thatcher’s July 1979 letter to the Nguyen family) and modern news stories (the 2019 Essex lorry deaths of Vietnamese migrants). She has weaved historical context with the experience of modern-day Vietnamese immigrants and their children born in Britain. 

I find that the main character, Anh, was beautifully written. Pin managed to give her a lot of depth and layers as we start the story with Anh as a little girl facing the
loss of her parents and siblings
. We see her coming of age and navigating life in a foreign country with a heavy responsibility on her shoulders—looking out for her two younger brothers, Thanh and Minh. 

I found the way she wrote about how this ordeal each affected them and their relationship as siblings very powerful. Pin created complex characters that seem very realistic with their own flaws, tourments and unachieved dreams. This was a beautiful ode to the migrant experience, and surviving such a great loss at a tender age. 
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caitdonlew's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring sad fast-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? N/A

4.5

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linhsreadinghour's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Wandering Souls is a book I’ve been searching for a very long time as a second generation immigrant whose parents made the same journey as Anh and her brothers. A short book that encapsulates trauma, resilience and sacrifice with tender love and care. I absolutely adore this book, it’s so smart in its writing structure and narratives. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. A must read for anyone who is interested in learning more about Vietnamese British diaspora.
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snapshotsofabookishlass's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I think I spent a good portion of the book not understanding it. Not sure where all the narrative parts were going and how things went together. However soon the interstitials tied together, and helped shift my perspective.

There's so much trauma to deal with, but there's also a bit of joy. Being lost, and wondering if the correct decisions were made. Possibly being mad at fate.
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