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A review by leahgustafson
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
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? Yes
4.5
This book wasn’t initially on my radar, but after hearing Thao Thai talk about it on a podcast, this sounded like a perfect fit for me!
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This is probably my favorite kind of book—a multi-generational family story filled with complex characters and complex family dynamics/relationships. This story is told from the perspectives of three generations of women (a mother, daughter, and grandmother), each of which is grappling with her own identity, purpose, and secrets. Multiple perspectives is the perfect format for this story, and it adds so much to the complexity. I really like how I could connect/empathize with all three women at various times throughout the story. The alternating narrators allows the reader to understand a character’s motivations and decisions while also understanding how these choices could be misunderstood/misinterpreted by the other women in their family.
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This story is a great exploration of the effects of intergenerational trauma, motherhood/maternal instincts, and the will to survive. I really look forward to reading other books by this author!
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Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
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This is probably my favorite kind of book—a multi-generational family story filled with complex characters and complex family dynamics/relationships. This story is told from the perspectives of three generations of women (a mother, daughter, and grandmother), each of which is grappling with her own identity, purpose, and secrets. Multiple perspectives is the perfect format for this story, and it adds so much to the complexity. I really like how I could connect/empathize with all three women at various times throughout the story. The alternating narrators allows the reader to understand a character’s motivations and decisions while also understanding how these choices could be misunderstood/misinterpreted by the other women in their family.
•
This story is a great exploration of the effects of intergenerational trauma, motherhood/maternal instincts, and the will to survive. I really look forward to reading other books by this author!
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury