Finished reading this book the night before 30/4, this is my brief impression on it.
Why did I read this book?
Being brought up in Vietnam, almost everything I’ve ever known about the aftermath of the war come, either from school history textbooks, or the occasional state-sponsored documentaries. The fate of those Vietnamese refugees, or boat people, right after 30/4 are rarely ever mentioned in these heavily sanctioned media.
Western newspapers’ reviews on this book would unvaryingly state that this book bring a fresh new perpective from the mind of these refugees, in constrast with their war movies, churned out by the American propaganda machine.
I have the same thought, I have always wonder about their stories, their feelings and their lives. This book gave me a glimpse of the answer to the questions I’ve often conjured up within my twisted and overthinking mind.
What are their thought on the war?
Who do they blame for their loss?
What are their lives like when they first arrive in America?
Do they hate me?
Is this book political?
Eventhough this book is written through view of “their” side, and a lot of political jargons are thrown unsparingly through out the book, but no matter how sensitive the matter is, this book does not give me the feeling that it is trying to be political, at all. It is rather apolitical for such a delicate subject and focus mainly on the lives and feeling of the refugees.
But my feeling is not important.
The books brutally criticises every warring parties. In its 23 chapters, 20 of those heavily condemn South Vietnam’s government and the American. However, as long as the last 3 chapters remain, I can’t see any future in which it will be published in Vietnam.
On this note, if you’re planning to read I would recommend reading the book in its original language, English, its neutrality is maintained better in this version.
Do I recommend it?
I would highly recommend this book to any one who has the same curiousity and want to have a new perspective on this matter. I give this book 4.5/5
Should you read it?
Eventhough I highly recommend this book, I know this book is not for everyone.
If you have problem with accepting there are people who have an insulting oppinion of a specific public figure, you should not read this book. There’re offensive languages toward this figure.
My opinion is that this book is neutral, but it touches on lot of sensitive subject, other might not feel the same.