REVIEW: The Mountains Sing (Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai)

Book: The Mountains Sing

Author: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Premise: Trần Diệu Lan, who was born in 1920, was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Land Reform as the Communist government rose in the North. Years later, her young granddaughter, Hương, comes of age as her parents head off to fight in a conflict that tore apart not just her beloved country, but also her family.

This is the story of a family living through 20th century Vietnam, spanning multiple generations. It switches between the grandmother's past and the granddaughter's present. There was so much that I learnt from reading this book as I didn't know much around the context and build up to the Vietnam War. The story is of hardship and horrors, which makes for a shocking read at times. But yet it was captivating and I couldn't help but get attached to the narrators.

A really good book and a new favourite for me.