Monsoon

by Di Morrissey

Monsoon... is a journey into the hearts and memories of those caught in a certain time in a particular place. Sandy Donaldson has been working for a volunteer organisation in Vietnam for the past four years. As her contract nears it end, she is reluctant to leave so she invites her oldest friend, Anna, to come for a holiday and discover its beautiful tourist destinations. Both girls have unexplored links to this country. Sandy's father is a Vietnam vet and Anna's mother was a Vietnamese boat person. During their travels, they meet Tom, an old Australian journalist who covered the war and plans to report on the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. It is Tom who tries to persuade Sandy's father to return to Long Tan and settle the ghosts that have haunted him for 40 years, and suggests that Anna should delve into her mother's past. But the girls are reluctant, swept up in their own concerns, relationships, and a business deal that has the potential to go horribly wrong. However, it is the near-blind Buddhist nun living alone in the pagoda atop one of the karsts in Halong Bay who might hold the key.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Book Club, Australia, Contemporary

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Di Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.

Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.

In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.

After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars


Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Kate Hood
Duration:13 hrs, 27 min. 1.25x Speed

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having traveled to Vietnam, I loved the descriptions and historical backgrounds of many of the places that I visited. The story was decent, however, parts of the book were a bit of a mess: wooden dialogue (I'm sorry but no one who works for or even remotely knows what an NGO is calls it a 'non-governmental organization' in day to day dialogue, unless you are telling someone what NGO stands for), unlikeable characters that don't evolve, and WAY too many plot lines (the entire plot about exporting Vietnamese antiques could have been cut and you still would have had a decent story). The book itself could have used more organization - chapters would jump from character to character; while I know lots of books do this, it didn't really make any sense in this book. It was almost as if the author thought oh wait, I can't forget to tell you what these characters are currently doing. I think that relates back to having too many plots and too many characters.

This review sounds so negative, but I should say it's a decent read, just not the best. A little more focus on what the author wanted to achieve with this story and who the main characters are would have made this a better book.

[Kellie Van · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nearly a waste of time. Wooden dialogue and one dimensional characters..... The information on the Vietnam war and Tom the war correspondent are the only things saving this book from no stars. Harsh?! I dare you to read and give more;)

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

The dialogues don't seem real to me - the Aussie character use Aussie slang as if it's mandatory to use at least one word in each sentence - it's not how I hear real Australians speak. The scene setting is forced. Couldn't finish it.

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second Di Morrissey book and I didn't quite enjoy it as much as my first.
Characters were a bit flat with traits that annoyed in some not developing further, or being acknowledged openly by others, which I acknowledge may be the case for some people in reality, but why Carlos remained on the scene to the end still bemuses me.
The depiction of Vietnam's city and country life evoked memorable images from my visit to Da Nang and HCMC (Saigon) years ago. The war history looked at from both sides was dealt with believably with some good ptsd support tips offered for returned Australian soldiers.
If I was frustrated at some character portrayals- lack of depth-I related to the portrayal of ex servicemen families and many people's support of positive change after the havoc wrought in years gone by where many demonstrated strength and self sacrifice and others let years slip by.
The buddhist nun reference on the flap jacket didn't live up to the potential suspense it evoked, despite her tranquility giving a glimpse into the serenity offered by Buddhism. The portrayal of cultural awareness and respect, versus callous or ignorant dismissal by others, rang true with regular reminders throughout the book that people have more complex inner lives than what it may appear at first glance.
As one who has worked for an NGO (I'd always use the initials too) and has first hand experience of local staff and expats working in country, the novel did suggest a lot of research went into it. Work often entwines with life -those who blend in well do indeed work together and learn about language and culture.East or west, past family experiences often impact newer generations life experiences.
Reader who don't mind jumping back and forth to find out what character are up to, while learning about others will enjoy this book. I was left wanting to know more of what Anna's aunts and uncles experienced in the intervening years between when her mum left Vietnam and she arrived, not to forget being pleased her dad kept mementos although he declined to participate in any direct exploration of the past. And whether Sandy and her family could share more than DNA give that father and daughter both have strong ethics and leadership qualities, but mother and brother seem non entities.
Perhaps the final message is that it's time to move forward for all characters just as the countries involved in the war need to forge ahead and work together now in spite of past hurts and differences.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. Whilst the storyline was fairly predictable and non challenging, I still had some enjoyment with this book. Having travelled through Vietnam, especially to the Australian base at Vung Tau etc, I enjoyed all the references to the areas, cafes etc mentioned in the book. And not just there, but in Hanoi, Hue Ho CHi Minh City, Ha Long Bay etc. So that for me was the best part of the book, revisiting in my mind places I had been. Would I have enjoyed it had I not travelled there? Probably not. So, three stars if you have a connection with Vietnam, 2 stars if you don't.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Enjoyable but nothing special. But I am disappointed that Carlos's controlling behavior was never addressed. Letting that go is something I find very difficult. And the Australian accents throughout the book are seriously overdone. We don't sound like that. On the other hand I really liked the descriptions of Vietnam and the rest of the plot.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the story of Sandy and Anna, first book of Di Morrissey that I have read. Lovely descriptions of Vietnam and respectful treatment of the suffering by the Australian soldiers and the Vietnamese people.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to give this up half way through, just couldn't warm to the characters, they seemed very false. Shame, as I was looking forward to the historical element of the Vietnam War

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into Monsoon, I've never really had an interest in Vietnam or the impact that the war had. I ended up loving this book, not wanting it to finish.

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Cheri Luyt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monsoon had a well researched history of the war in Vietnam. I loved Sandy and Anna grew on me throughout the story. I liked that Anna found a little of her family in Vietnam and that the search wasn't a waste of time for her. I liked her connection to the Buddhist nun. I'm interested in the effect of the shrimp farming practices on the environment but it was only briefly mentioned twice.
The proposal with Sandy and Jean-Claude was too fast and if Anna loves Carlo then that's fine but Carlo's business deal went south because he didn't care to know who he was dealing with and research them by asking around. If Barney knew who Carlo was dealing with he would have warned him straight away. Carlo needs to be more open to Anna's heritage and be more supportive of her researching her family history.
Overall my rating is 3.5/5 stars

[Lil April · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. My first Di Morrissey and just found it boring. Flat, unrelatable characters (sweet, ditsy girls and manly, jovial older Aussie man). The narrator was annoying and add to the stereotypes of the characters.

The expats and tourists kept going on about how annoying the tourists were and what a shame it was that Westerners were “spoiling” the true Vietnam - with absolutely no irony.

Also, the way Anna’s coercive/abusive relationship with Carlo was described was so trite.

Overall, I decided to ditch it because it was just so boring and I couldn’t force myself through it. Sorry to any hardcore Di Morrissey fans out there 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a lot of Di Morrissey and usually enjoy her writing but for some reason I didn't enjoy this book as much as her others. I am not really sure why but I think there was too much going on with too many story lines. I felt the stories of the two girls travelling through Vietnam did not really mix well with the stories about and the battle of Long Tan and the journalist.

[Joy Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book wasn't quite sure why Carlos was added and it seemed weird why he was included in the story. Liked the way that it showed just what had occurred in Vietnam in the war. More and more I appreciate more and more what it must've been like to be in (the army)and death,loss and psychological injured and still we are helping people to come to and hopefully can move on

[Paul McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story, takes place in Vietnam. Blending Australian participation in the Vietnam war with the present (early 2000’s). Two lifelong girlfriends one who has been working for a NGO in Vietnam for 4 years and her best friend who is half Vietnamese.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow to read, impossible to be enthusiastic about.

[Jean Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think at some time I have read this book . The characters were mosstly interesting bar one. Once again tooo much romance in it for my liking but it is well written.

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Takes a very long time for anything to happen

[Jenny Rushforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. It’s a MUST READ

[Margaret Stickland · Rating 1 out of 5]

First book for the year and what a waste of time, though the very hot days helped pass the time.
Do you know an Aussie who speaks like that not bloody likely? Disappointing book

[Caitlin Ballhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very leisurely read. Lots of info about Vietnam’s culture and the war, but not a book where you just couldn’t put it down. A little bit lacking in *something*.

[Liv Uebergang · Rating 1 out of 5]

A terrible book, made no sense. The amount of plot lines were ridiculous.

[Cynthia Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nup. Couldn't persevere with the stilted, novice writing style. Been spoiled by great authorship.

[Trevor Kloeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

ii enjoyed it partly because I have been to Vietnam and knew most of the places mentioned.

[deLille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently returned from Germany where I met a woman from New Zealand who was reading this book and she gave it to me to read after she was finished with it. Since it was the only book I had to read in English while I was in Germany, I read it, and my feelings on it are mixed. The writing style is very simplistic -- it seems as though the author, Di Morrissey is deliberately trying to write to a mass market audience -- which is rather disappointing because I feel that she is capable of so much more. This book is set in Vietnam and I think Morrissey describes well the feeling and mood of the place; it is in her ability to capture a few little images so that the whole scene comes alive that hints at her true writing ability. I enjoyed this book for its ability to transport one to another place... she is a good "travel writer". If you have any interest in traveling to Vietnam, I would recommend this book.

Morrissey's plot line also delivers enough adventure to keep one turning the pages, but it's a bit predictable and in some cases, a little unbelievable. I kept feeling like I was reading a book targeted to the "young adult" (teenager) demographic, but upon further reading about the author, I've come to understand that she is a best selling fiction writer among adults in Australia. She is not a "young adult" writer, although if she were, I would have probably given this book four stars.

Oh, well, I'd rate this book in the same manner as I rated "The Red Tent", which was all the rage in the US a few years ago, but I personally thought was very poorly written. (No one else seems to agree with me on that point, though!) However, I give "Monsoon" a higher star rating than "The Red Tent" just for its ability to evoke the feeling of present-day Vietnam.

This book was not in Amazon's or Good Reads databases so I had to enter it in manually. Here is a synopsis of the plot by Pan MacMillan Australia:

"Monsoon... is a journey into the hearts and memories of those caught in a certain time in a particular place.

Sandy Donaldson has been working for a volunteer organisation in Vietnam for the past four years. As her contract nears it end, she is reluctant to leave so she invites her oldest friend, Anna, to come for a holiday and discover its beautiful tourist destinations.

Both girls have unexplored links to this country. Sandy's father is a Vietnam vet and Anna's mother was a Vietnamese boat person.

During their travels, they meet Tom, an old Australian journalist who covered the war and plans to report on the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. It is Tom who tries to persuade Sandy's father to return to Long Tan and settle the ghosts that have haunted him for 40 years, and suggests that Anna should delve into her mother's past.

But the girls are reluctant, swept up in their own concerns, relationships, and a business deal that has the potential to go horribly wrong. However, it is the near-blind Buddhist nun living alone in the pagoda atop one of the karsts in Halong Bay who might hold the key."

Okay, my opinion is that the "near-blind Buddhist nun living alone in the pagoda" was a weak attempt to interject some Buddhist spirituality into the novel, but the description of traveling to her pagoda was quite interesting and you could almost feel yourself actually being there.

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monsoon... Is a journey into the hearts and memories of those caught in a certain time in a particular place. Sandy Donaldson has been working for a volunteer organisation in Vietnam for the past four years. As her contract nears its end, she is reluctant to leave so she invites her oldest friend, Anna, to come for a holiday and discover its beautiful tourist destinations. Both girls have unexplored links to this country. Sandy's father is a Vietnam vet and Anna's mother was a Vietnamese boat person. During their travels they meet Tom, an old Australian journalist who covered the war and plans to report on the fortieth anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. It is Tom who tries to persuade Sandy's father to return to Long Tan and settle the ghosts that have haunted him for 40 years, and suggests that Anna should delve into her mother's past. But the girls are reluctant, swept up in their own concerns, relationships, and a business deal that has the potential to go horribly wrong. However, it is the near-blind Buddhist nun living alone in the pagoda atop one of the karsts in Halong Bay who might hold the key.

This was a pretty good read but for me not as good as "Barra Creek" or "The Valley"

[Muphyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, a bit too scratching on the surface and happy ending for me but entertaining enough to keep my attention as a light read. The setting in Vietnam was actually quite interesting, especially as I've recently heard an interview on Australian Vietnam War veterans and the long-term effects they're still suffering from.

Carlo was probably THE most annoying character, and I just kept rolling my eyes why Anna put up with him. I really wanted her to get over him, but alas, I didn't get my wish...

The writing is nothing to shout about (but I had low expectations to start with so it didn't bother me too much), and all in all it was just a nice diversion that I probably won't remember in a few weeks time.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is about two Australian women travelling through Vietnam while dealing with aspects of their past. The actual main plot is really enjoyable and the descriptions of Vietnam actually made me want to travel there. However, there were so many sub plots and extra characters that the story just got tedious. If the author had just stuck to her main plot then my rating would have been much higher.

[Janice Torrance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vietnam was an area that I have not read a lot about, so it was interesting in that respect. The story had different aspects to it, covering returned serviceman from the war, adventures and romances of two young women who were friends. Corruption in businesses from opportunists that took advantage of the resources there, and a little about the Budist faith and lifestyles of the ordinary people of the land. A bit of a struggle to finish the book, but pleased I did.