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katerina_l's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and War
Minor: Drug use
skyfluff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
claire_michelle18's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
A beautifully written saga about Anh and her two brothers, who flee as refugees from Vietnam in the 1970s and eventually end up in the UK. I found Anh's story achingly sad but, in the end, hopeful as she gradually builds a life for herself and her family. Pin's writing is stunning, with the story mainly told from Anh's perspective but with snippets from other perspectives, moving forwards and back through time to add layers of depth to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
annabella's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Stunning work. I want to read it again - this was an audiobook and I thought the narration brought more emotion to it but I want the physical book to annotate as well. It has such nuance in exploring the experience of family, unbelonging, grief and connection. Written from mostly one perspective but also including other characters too. Poignant and poetic. And exploring the injustices of the world and how systems fail people. It’s sad but also hopeful, and understanding. One of my favourites of the year and something that will stay with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
lindsaylhunter's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.5
A deep dive into the long lives of three siblings left adrift in England when they lose their family. Their exploration of grief is harrowing.
This one could easily be a five star read for me - next time I read it, it will be the print version and not the audiobook (though it was beautifully read).
This one could easily be a five star read for me - next time I read it, it will be the print version and not the audiobook (though it was beautifully read).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
elizabethgreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
A tough story to read filled with grief, yet ends in a very hopeful tone. The story focuses on an immigrant families experience in immigrating from Vietnam to the UK. It shows the heartache and the triumphs. The ending chapter was absolutely wonderful. I loved the look at intergenerational trauma and the healing the family experienced. The sentiments how why stories are important made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
internationalreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Rape and War