Reviews tagging 'War'

Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

48 reviews

bookishbee27's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

A fascinating, multi-generational exploration of asylum seeking and immigrant life written beautifully.

The good: I was really drawn in by the historical context Wandering Souls is set in and the issues addressed as the fleeing from Vietnam following the Vietnam War and resettlement of refugees in the UK under Thatcher's government is not something I had any prior knowledge of. Pin has clearly researched this well and paints a comprehensive picture of these issues which I found highly educational. I loved how the characters were written and found their voices to be rich and interesting throughout. 

The not-so-good: For me, Wandering Souls lacked much going on and I would argue it was a slow burn rather than plot driven. At times this meant I wasn't reaching for it or that compelled.

I would draw similarities with Black Butterflies in covering an important and often overlooked period of history and social issues, but needing more plot development.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Deportation

Moderate: Racism, Violence, and War

Minor: Drug use

caitdonlew's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and War

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

viccctk's review

emotional informative reflective sad 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? N/A

4.5

An emotional and thought-provoking read. The book is about three siblings who embark on a journey out of Vietnam with the rest of their family set to follow later. I found it a very moving story as we follow their journey into the unknown. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and War

Moderate: Racism and Violence

linhsreadinghour's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

jennifershepherd's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and War

kara_44's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Violence, Death of parent, and War

Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism

janinagnes's review

dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and War

lady_bountiful's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and War

jhansell's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Racism, Xenophobia, and War

phoevincent's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Racism, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Rape and War