author: Anthony Grey
name: Kim
average rating: 4.35
book published: 1982
rating: 5
read at: 2018/02/01
date added: 2018/07/14
shelves:
review:
Read this after watching Ken Burns’ excellent documentary on the Vietnam War. Although this book is historical fiction, it is still an excellent expose on the background and events that led to the tragedy of the region, starting with colonialism in general, and the French exploitation in particular. It’s an epic story centered around an American family and their interaction with Vietnam spanning generations and five decades.
Grey very cleverly places his characters into actual events, and he manages to paint all the main characters as human beings with all their flaws and ambiguities, leaving it to the reader to take sides (or not).
An excellent read for anyone interested in the history of the region and the devastating effects of colonialism.
