A review by kittthecat
Paradise of the Blind by Thu Huong Duong, Nina McPherson
5.0
This was an amazing read and my first novel taking place in Vietnam after the war. The translation was done well and fairly reflected the intricacies of the writer's original words.
What impressed me the most was how visceral the description of the setting and the daily lives and practices of the characters. It takes something from a whole other part of the world and conveys it in a way that the reader can level with.
The story is beautiful; Hang is a wonderful character that has to surmount troubles, both her own and those of others, to get to the point of self actualization that I think she gets to in the end. The whole time I was in her corner and wanted things to work out for her so I'm happy that she was able to grow as much as she did.
Not only a book I recommend, but a book that I think should be taught and read in school (high school age/college). While I think it's overreaching to say it will change your life, it will definitely leave a mark. Be ready for that!
What impressed me the most was how visceral the description of the setting and the daily lives and practices of the characters. It takes something from a whole other part of the world and conveys it in a way that the reader can level with.
The story is beautiful; Hang is a wonderful character that has to surmount troubles, both her own and those of others, to get to the point of self actualization that I think she gets to in the end. The whole time I was in her corner and wanted things to work out for her so I'm happy that she was able to grow as much as she did.
Not only a book I recommend, but a book that I think should be taught and read in school (high school age/college). While I think it's overreaching to say it will change your life, it will definitely leave a mark. Be ready for that!