A review by kim_j_dare
Butterfly Yellow by Thanhhà Lại

5.0

It’s 1981 and 18-year-old Hằng has just arrived in the United States, a refugee of the Việt Nam War. Her uncle is heartbroken at the deaths of Hằng’s parents and grandmother, and is determine to take his niece into his Texas home. But Hằng is equally determined to find the younger brother who was taken to the United States six years ago by a well-meaning preacher, a separation for which she blames herself. A chance meeting with LeeRoy, recent high school graduate and wannabe-cowboy, sets a series of events into motion that can stretch plausibility at times, but that ultimately leads to a rich and rewarding story. Hằng has repressed many of the horrific memories of the war, and the way that she oh-so-slowly gets to a point where she can start to heal is entirely believable. Thanhhà Lại‘s note about her inspiration for Hằng’s story adds context to this quietly powerful novel.

Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC.