The Mountains Sing

The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Mountains Sing tells the story of a Vietnamese family over several generations. This story moves from when Viet Nam was a French colony prior to World War II through the Viet Nam conflict and then ends in the present day. Not being very familiar with the history of Viet Nam, The Mountains Sing provides an up close look at the horrific experiences of the Tran family throughout several generations. Told primarily from the grandmother's point of view, the story follow them as their family rises to a place of influence, is brought down to the depths of poverty and despair, and cycles through everything between and in particular highlights societal conflict among the Vietnamese people.

The Mountains Sing is not a fast or easy read. The story is a bit slow-paced as the narrator changes from the grandmother to the granddaughter frequently. Their experiences are frequently horrific and not easy to read. The story also provides a first-hand look at the customs and beliefs of the primarily Buddhist characters. Readers who enjoy reading diverse books or family sagas may enjoy The Mountains Sing.

I received a complementary copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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