The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

How did you learn about the Vietnam War? Was it mainly through the History Channel or BBC documentaries? Or maybe in a small section when learning about the Cold War during GCSE/A-Level history? How often do you come across an account written by a Vietnamese author? The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai was recommended by @sofia_reading and it definitely did not disappoint!

This coming-of-age novel switches between Huoang, lovingly called Guava by her grandmother (as a form of protection from possible evil spirits) narrating the course of her life during the Vietnam War alongside her grandmother Dieu Lan, as she waits for her parents and her uncles to return from the war, and then the narrative of Dieu Lan as she tells Guava her family’s history.

This multi-generational historical novel brings alive Vietnam’s painful modern history, and despite a family history of pain, trauma and loss, there’s also so much faith, resilience, belief in karma, and hope.

I found myself being able to vividly imagine Vietnam thanks to the way Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai beautifully describes the settings, the culture, and the Buddhist faith. It honestly felt like I’d mentally journeyed there!

The book is easy to read, and as a coming-of-age novel the language is simple but not in any way basic. If you’ve been meaning to read this, do! You won’t be disappointed.