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A review by bruinuclafan
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
5.0
An amazing, amazing reading (listening) experience about the end of the Vietnam War and the experience of some South Vietnamese who fled to America. The main character--whose name we never learn--is a spy for the North who has infiltrated a South Vietnamese General's staff. The book opens as the General is fleeing during the fall of Saigon, and our narrator receives his instructions to flee with the General to America. What ensues is a fascinating narrative and observational account of how the losing side of the war adjusted to life in America and pursued the American dream (or not).
The book is also a compelling account of America's role in starting the war and perhaps, at least by some accounts, failing to fully commit to it. One theme in this book is the relationship between America and Vietnam on the one hand, and Americans and Vietnamese (or really all Asians), on the other hand.
The book also takes on American race-relations through the unique perspective of Vietnamese refugees. One of our narrator's love interests in America is Japanese-American, and it is through her that we see the contrast between her, a full Asian-American, and our narrator, a recent refugee.
But perhaps the biggest theme of the book is the duality of being torn between two sides. The narrator is half Vietnamese, half French. He is also a bastard. He's a spy for the North but he is from the South. He's ostensibly a communist but lives a capitalist life. Etc. This is where the title must come from (in my opinion) because our narrator can sympathize with two-sides.
And then there is communism itself. The book has something to say about that. No spoilers here, though.
I thought the pace of this book was terrific. The writing kept me drawn in, and the plot was continuously interesting. I think there could be a Part II someday as well. I really never got tired of being in this world.
The book is also a compelling account of America's role in starting the war and perhaps, at least by some accounts, failing to fully commit to it. One theme in this book is the relationship between America and Vietnam on the one hand, and Americans and Vietnamese (or really all Asians), on the other hand.
The book also takes on American race-relations through the unique perspective of Vietnamese refugees. One of our narrator's love interests in America is Japanese-American, and it is through her that we see the contrast between her, a full Asian-American, and our narrator, a recent refugee.
But perhaps the biggest theme of the book is the duality of being torn between two sides. The narrator is half Vietnamese, half French. He is also a bastard. He's a spy for the North but he is from the South. He's ostensibly a communist but lives a capitalist life. Etc. This is where the title must come from (in my opinion) because our narrator can sympathize with two-sides.
And then there is communism itself. The book has something to say about that. No spoilers here, though.
I thought the pace of this book was terrific. The writing kept me drawn in, and the plot was continuously interesting. I think there could be a Part II someday as well. I really never got tired of being in this world.