Book Review: Postcards From Nam by Uyen Nicole Duong
Postcards from Nam is an unusual book. It is a poem, it is a love letter, and it is a novel within the space of a novella. It is all these things and more. It tells the story of two Vietnamese children, Ma Chua (Mimi) and Nam. It speaks of how their lives intersect, of their unspoken friendship and love and reliance on one another. The story then details how these children are ripped apart by war, immigration and tragedy. It does it with a spare beauty of words lined with tension usually only seen in poetry. I read this book in a single afternoon – unable to put it down.
If you know nothing about the plight of those immigrants fleeing Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Burma, read this book. If ever you have any questions about the necessity for helping immigrants to leave the land of their birth, the land of their torture, read this book. It won’t take long. It might change a life. Maybe even your own.
Speaking about children, you can introdue Lily to children songs like "Ni Wa Wa" (view on YouTube) or "WeN Hou Ge .. KeN Hui CHau". It's a nice addition to books from a foreign country
Great review. This book sounds wonderful!
Amy
Thanks, Giora. I think we have a version of "Ni Wa Wa," but I'm not sure about the other one. I'll check it out!
Thanks, Amy! It really was good – despite being on such a heavy topic it read so fast and beautifully.
Sounds like a good book but not that kind of thing I'd pick up and read I'm afraid.
To be honest, it's not the sort of thing I'd normally pick up either. I like fantasy with unusual settings. That said, I'm glad I read it. It's extremely powerful.
Great review, Victoria. The book sounds good.
Thanks, Rachna!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Postcards from Nam. It looks like an interesting read.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.