Same Same

by Ly Nguyen

While growing up in Vietnam, Pham Thi Phuong never dreamed of becoming a manicurist. But when Saigon falls in 1975, a pregnant Phuong and her Air Force officer husband, Minh, are forced to flee the country on a fishing boat. With only two dollars in their pockets, Minh and Phuong finally arrive in Seattle, Washington, where they begin a new life filled with seemingly insurmountable challenges. As the young couple welcomes their daughter, Mai, into their uncertain world, Phuong struggles to find happiness and independence in a foreign culture. Despite sensing that her mother is desperately unhappy and that her parents' marriage is rapidly unraveling, Mai tries to remain a loving and strong daughter. In a last ditch effort to make ends meet, Phuong opens a nail salon. Expected to be a dutiful daughter and help the family business grow, the initially reluctant Mai soon develops a deep compassion and respect for her mother and the other women who become a part of the salon. Same Same shares an intimate and heartwarming glimpse into the life of a Vietnamese nail salon worker who somehow remains strong and resilient throughout the trials in her life.

84 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2012

Reviews

[Shelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was written by a young lady that I use to work with, this was her first novella. This was a much anticipated novella. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella, in fact, I couldn't put it down.

I read this novella in 2 days. I could have finished it in 1 day, but I started reading it right before bedtime :-). This novella left me wanting more of the story.....I was very intrigued with what I had read about the Vietnamese's lifestyle and culture. After reading this novella, I now have a new and profound respect for Manicurist.

The novella not only takes you into the world of the workers at the nail salons, but it also tells a story about the life of a Vietnamese couple and their journey from Vietnam to America....during the end of the Vietnam war.

This was the first time that I've read a story about the Vietnamese culture, and I was very intrigued.

The book can be found on Barnes & Noble and Amazon (Nook & Kindle). I couldn't find the book when I searched for it by title,but I did notice that there is another book out with the same title. The book can be found under the Author's name.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished the book. It's a quick and smart read that touches on a personal note for me being from the Vietnamese American community and also having a mom that works in the nail salon industry. Too often we know people in our lives that we share casual and friendly relationships with but really never dig deeper because the relationships are of a service type like hair stylist, lawyers, insurance agents, even neighbors and teachers. In Same Same, Ly Nguyen brings the reader beyond the receptionist table and connects us to the stories of a Vietnamese nail salon owner/worker. Through the relationships of this character with her daughter, her coworkers, and her customers, the book established the warmth and struggles of people that are tied together by much more than nail appointments. Awesome read.