A review by serendipitysbooks
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai

emotional 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

4.0

 Banyan Moon is a satisfying, solid multigenerational family saga. When Ann receives the news that her beloved grandmother Minh has died, her life is already at a crossroads with an unplanned pregnancy and the growing realisation that her perfect boyfriend might not actually be perfect for her. So she returns to the family home in Florida, and her estranged mother Hu’o’ng. This book ticked so many boxes for me - women centred, a strong focus motherhood and mother-daughter relationships, dual timelines, immigration, family secrets, multiple points of view, a cross-cultural component, meaningful character growth, and beautiful writing. There is also what might be termed magical realism, which isn’t normally my favourite but it worked here and was culturally significant. It was interesting to note the parallels in the lives of the three women despite their differences. I also liked the ending - happy but not unrealistically or stereotypically so, and with a strong focus on new beginnings.
 
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