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Quiet As They Come
"Heartbreaking tales of ordinary people lost between the extraordinary circumstances of history. Bitter and beautiful all at once."—Sandra Cisneros
"We call it naturalization, but these bright, authentic, well-made stories both personalize and illuminate just how unnatural the first twenty years in America felt for thousands of Vietnamese families who fled to San Francisco to escape the Vietnam War. Angie Chau writes with humor, intensity and forgiveness about lives full of danger, insult, momentary reprieve, unending tenacity and undying hope."—Pam Houston
"Quiet As They Come is a beautifully rendered, intimate, and dramatic story of family and country. Each character is drawn with such honesty and generosity, such insight and imagination. Angie Chau has impressed and enthralled me and I was very sorry to come to the last page."—Karen Joy Fowler
“Quiet As They Come announces the arrival of an astonishing literary talent with a great deal to say about the intricacies of family life, coming of age, emigration, and—above and—above all—the treasures buried in the human heart.”—Carolina De Robertis, author of The Invisible Mountain
Quiet As They Come is a beautiful and at times brutal portrait of a people caught between two cultures. Set in San Francisco from the 1980s to the present day, this debut collection explores the lives of several families of Vietnamese immigrants as they struggle to adjust to life in their new country, often haunted by the memories and customs of their old lives in Vietnam. While some are able to survive and assimilate, others are crushed by the promise of the "American Dream." No matter their fate, you will never be able to forget the people you meet in this remarkable collection.
"We call it naturalization, but these bright, authentic, well-made stories both personalize and illuminate just how unnatural the first twenty years in America felt for thousands of Vietnamese families who fled to San Francisco to escape the Vietnam War. Angie Chau writes with humor, intensity and forgiveness about lives full of danger, insult, momentary reprieve, unending tenacity and undying hope."—Pam Houston
"Quiet As They Come is a beautifully rendered, intimate, and dramatic story of family and country. Each character is drawn with such honesty and generosity, such insight and imagination. Angie Chau has impressed and enthralled me and I was very sorry to come to the last page."—Karen Joy Fowler
“Quiet As They Come announces the arrival of an astonishing literary talent with a great deal to say about the intricacies of family life, coming of age, emigration, and—above and—above all—the treasures buried in the human heart.”—Carolina De Robertis, author of The Invisible Mountain
Quiet As They Come is a beautiful and at times brutal portrait of a people caught between two cultures. Set in San Francisco from the 1980s to the present day, this debut collection explores the lives of several families of Vietnamese immigrants as they struggle to adjust to life in their new country, often haunted by the memories and customs of their old lives in Vietnam. While some are able to survive and assimilate, others are crushed by the promise of the "American Dream." No matter their fate, you will never be able to forget the people you meet in this remarkable collection.
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2010
97 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Angie Chau
3 books20 followersAngie Chau was born in Vietnam and currently lives in Northern California. She earned an MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Davis where she was the fiction editor for The Greenbelt Review. She has been awarded a Hedgebrook Residency and a Macondo Foundation Fellowship. Her work has appeared in the Indiana Review, Santa Clara Review, Night Train Magazine, Slant, and the anthology, Cheers to Muses. In 2009, she won the UC Davis Maurice Prize in Fiction. Her debut story collection, Quiet As They Come was released by IG Publishing in 2010. She lives in Northern California."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 18, 2012
I first discovered this book on Kindle when a one chapter offering (Quiet As They Come) was made available for free. (Many of the reviewers gave a low rating due to a misunderstanding about this sample chapter being called a free book. This was Kindle’s marketing error and the author Angie Chou should not be penalized for the mistake.) I loved both the writing and the story. It touched me and I bought the full book. I’m glad I did. It’s now one of my favorites. The Kindle copy has a handful of errors but nothing to distract too much from the fine storytelling.
It is a collection of interlinked short stories (each of which stands well on its own) telling the tale of several Vietnamese families and their struggles and adaptations to the ‘new world’ lifestyles. These tales are both heartwarming and heart wrenching. Angie Chou did a brilliant job of showing her characters hopes and fears as they try to accept and live in America.
We follow several of the families and their experiences from childhood in the new world to their regrets of old traditions lost. Some weather the storm well, some just survive.
The final story left me with a bit of an awkward sense but I understand why the author chose it for the ending.
It’s a good novel and I’m glad I read it.
Devlin
It is a collection of interlinked short stories (each of which stands well on its own) telling the tale of several Vietnamese families and their struggles and adaptations to the ‘new world’ lifestyles. These tales are both heartwarming and heart wrenching. Angie Chou did a brilliant job of showing her characters hopes and fears as they try to accept and live in America.
We follow several of the families and their experiences from childhood in the new world to their regrets of old traditions lost. Some weather the storm well, some just survive.
The final story left me with a bit of an awkward sense but I understand why the author chose it for the ending.
It’s a good novel and I’m glad I read it.
Devlin
August 31, 2016
This is a remarkably engaging quick read. My rating 4.5.
Viet Tran was known by his friends in Vietnam as a quiet man of letters; co-workers consider him a hard worker and great listener. Viet is a slight, unimposing figure who prefers to maintain a low profile. Viet works through tai chi to help control his emotions. But behind his quiet façade are roiling emotions with memories he tries to forget. When a co-worker shows disrespect towards Viet's young daughter the man has no idea what demons he may awaken.
Quiet As They Come is just one short story from the collection of stories about the lives of Vietnamese immigrants trying to adjust in San Francisco in the 1980s. This was a pleasant surprise! It is just a short story but packed with a lot of life experience and emotional depth. Chau portrays her character with depth and dignity. Based on the surprising smoothness and depth of this one book, I expect that the full collection would be wonderfully engaging and insightful.
Viet Tran was known by his friends in Vietnam as a quiet man of letters; co-workers consider him a hard worker and great listener. Viet is a slight, unimposing figure who prefers to maintain a low profile. Viet works through tai chi to help control his emotions. But behind his quiet façade are roiling emotions with memories he tries to forget. When a co-worker shows disrespect towards Viet's young daughter the man has no idea what demons he may awaken.
Quiet As They Come is just one short story from the collection of stories about the lives of Vietnamese immigrants trying to adjust in San Francisco in the 1980s. This was a pleasant surprise! It is just a short story but packed with a lot of life experience and emotional depth. Chau portrays her character with depth and dignity. Based on the surprising smoothness and depth of this one book, I expect that the full collection would be wonderfully engaging and insightful.
October 25, 2010
Excellent short story--a Kindle freebie. Did what a short is supposed to do--set the stage quickly, got you into the characters well, and proceeded with the story. I thought it was interesting and engaging, and opened a window into a group not many americans really know.
All in all, enjoyable, and I'll likely get the rest of the book.
All in all, enjoyable, and I'll likely get the rest of the book.
April 12, 2022
Hhhmmmm🤔
This short story seemed to be a recounting of a horrible experience by the narrator. The vivid description of events and emotions made it easy to identify with the main character. However, I was very disappointed that the antagonist was portrayed as the stereotypical Black man🤔 That was a deal breaker for me. I was initially intrigued by the writer’s style and considered looking for other stories to read. But, I won’t now and will not recommend the story to my book club members.
This short story seemed to be a recounting of a horrible experience by the narrator. The vivid description of events and emotions made it easy to identify with the main character. However, I was very disappointed that the antagonist was portrayed as the stereotypical Black man🤔 That was a deal breaker for me. I was initially intrigued by the writer’s style and considered looking for other stories to read. But, I won’t now and will not recommend the story to my book club members.
June 7, 2018
My Thoughts See You
Vietnam was a difficult time and place. And watching others, of always interpreting ,clearly their If not correctly was problematic.
Vietnam was a difficult time and place. And watching others, of always interpreting ,clearly their If not correctly was problematic.
March 12, 2019
A really wonderful set of intertwining short stories.
February 3, 2020
Devastatingly poignant
May 7, 2020
11 truyện ngắn là 11 lát cắt xoay quanh một đại gia đình dân nhập cư gốc Việt. Không có truyện nào thật sự xuất sắc, bù lại, Angie Châu có cách kể chuyện bình dị, tinh tế.
May 17, 2020
A surprising find. Elegant, emotional and easily nostalgic
July 12, 2023
Not long enough
I loved the story but was confused as thinking there should be more to the story. Was this a blurb from a a more elaborate tale? Left wanting more.
I loved the story but was confused as thinking there should be more to the story. Was this a blurb from a a more elaborate tale? Left wanting more.
September 19, 2025
Powerful, heartbreaking short story.
March 24, 2011
Angie Chau is a Vietnamese woman who emigrated to the United States as a child. Her collection of stories is based on that experience and on her coming of age in a Vietnamese immigrant community in San Francisco.
The writing is incredibly good. I have read a number of books, fiction and memoir, about Asian immigrants growing up in America and this one is right up there with those by such writers as Amy Tan and Lisa See. Ms Chau captures the confusion, the sense of being lost between two cultures and the effects of this on both the parents and the children.
The most heartbreaking story was about Kim, who renamed her two children Sophia and Marcel, after her favorite movie stars. She is waiting and longing for the husband she had to leave behind because he had been captured by the Vietcong and imprisoned. When he is finally released and makes it to San Francisco, he is so traumatized that he finds it impossible to reunite with his family.
In another story, a mother treats her sick daughter with traditional remedies, one of which leaves bruises on the girl's spine. Soon after, a worker from Social Services arrives at their home to make sure the girl is not being abused. The poor mother, who did in fact cure her daughter, is deeply embarrassed by the social worker.
I loved this book and will from now on look at any Vietnamese person I meet with increased respect.
The writing is incredibly good. I have read a number of books, fiction and memoir, about Asian immigrants growing up in America and this one is right up there with those by such writers as Amy Tan and Lisa See. Ms Chau captures the confusion, the sense of being lost between two cultures and the effects of this on both the parents and the children.
The most heartbreaking story was about Kim, who renamed her two children Sophia and Marcel, after her favorite movie stars. She is waiting and longing for the husband she had to leave behind because he had been captured by the Vietcong and imprisoned. When he is finally released and makes it to San Francisco, he is so traumatized that he finds it impossible to reunite with his family.
In another story, a mother treats her sick daughter with traditional remedies, one of which leaves bruises on the girl's spine. Soon after, a worker from Social Services arrives at their home to make sure the girl is not being abused. The poor mother, who did in fact cure her daughter, is deeply embarrassed by the social worker.
I loved this book and will from now on look at any Vietnamese person I meet with increased respect.
September 26, 2012
In a series of interlocking stories, Angie Chau tells a tale of survival—survival of events that unfolded during my adult life—events that I have wanted to know about, but have been too shy to ask about. There are boundaries between curiosity and knowledge. Chau fearlessly crosses those boundaries and spells out the evils of a generation, the evils of the inevitable war that resulted from the breakdown of imperialism.
The stories revolve around an extended family of Vietnamese boat people who land in America—a land of hope and of confusion. The lives of the family members are pulled in a million different directions as their new country negotiates social change during the 1970s and 80s. The western mantra advises, follow your passion. The traditional eastern mantra warns that it takes hard work and drive to excel and that the zone of safety and comfort lie in esteemed professions like law, medicine, and education.
The title story of the book,Quiet as They Come, reveals the heartbreaking heroism of hard working parents bent on providing the best opportunities to their children, juxtaposed against the sickening loss of control when the elders’ expectations take shocking turns.
Quiet as They Come is both a history lesson and a social study wrapped within masterful storytelling.
The stories revolve around an extended family of Vietnamese boat people who land in America—a land of hope and of confusion. The lives of the family members are pulled in a million different directions as their new country negotiates social change during the 1970s and 80s. The western mantra advises, follow your passion. The traditional eastern mantra warns that it takes hard work and drive to excel and that the zone of safety and comfort lie in esteemed professions like law, medicine, and education.
The title story of the book,Quiet as They Come, reveals the heartbreaking heroism of hard working parents bent on providing the best opportunities to their children, juxtaposed against the sickening loss of control when the elders’ expectations take shocking turns.
Quiet as They Come is both a history lesson and a social study wrapped within masterful storytelling.
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January 16, 2011"How quickly life changes in a year or even a day. Right as Huong finished this thought ambulance sirens shrieked by and then slipped away quick as a ghost. It was a reminder of how the big turns in her life really happened: the click of a grenade, the snap of a suitcase, a child's last breath."
It's lines like these, at once concise and sweeping, grounded and myth-filled, dark and yearning, that gives Angie Chau's stories their juice.
These and the one-liners that sneak up quietly then sear with their release, so full are they with the heat of experience of two decades of Vietnamese families who fled to San Francisco to escape the Vietnam War (or, the American War in Vietnam). One-liners like this one:
"You rape the raped."
This is what Huong tells a young drug-addled criminal who steals valuables from her and the others fleeing Vietnam for the States.
And when the people, including Huong and her family members, arrive to American shores, the real difficulties--and these stories, Quiet As They Come--let loose.
(Beware of periodic editing missteps.)
It's lines like these, at once concise and sweeping, grounded and myth-filled, dark and yearning, that gives Angie Chau's stories their juice.
These and the one-liners that sneak up quietly then sear with their release, so full are they with the heat of experience of two decades of Vietnamese families who fled to San Francisco to escape the Vietnam War (or, the American War in Vietnam). One-liners like this one:
"You rape the raped."
This is what Huong tells a young drug-addled criminal who steals valuables from her and the others fleeing Vietnam for the States.
And when the people, including Huong and her family members, arrive to American shores, the real difficulties--and these stories, Quiet As They Come--let loose.
(Beware of periodic editing missteps.)
January 19, 2011
It took me about 10 minutes, if that to read this 'story'. I've read essay's that were longer. I was really getting drawn into the story, although didn't quite understand why they had it jumping around after just a few paragraph's of telling what was going on. When I got to the end of this 'story', I honestly thought my Kindle had messed up the download or something. I knew it had a larger book as it tells you:
"If you enjoy this free story from Quiet As They Come, consider the full version found here."
And it directs you to where you can pay $9.99 for the full story. Meanwhile, this essay sized book has a retail value of $15.95 so I was excited to get a steal as this was a free download from Amazon. I was expecting it to not finish the story...but to barely start it. I'm so irritated by the 'marketing ploy' that I probably won't purchase the actual book. Guess I'll see after a few real FREE STORIES if I still have an interest in this one and go from there.
Very disappointing.
"If you enjoy this free story from Quiet As They Come, consider the full version found here."
And it directs you to where you can pay $9.99 for the full story. Meanwhile, this essay sized book has a retail value of $15.95 so I was excited to get a steal as this was a free download from Amazon. I was expecting it to not finish the story...but to barely start it. I'm so irritated by the 'marketing ploy' that I probably won't purchase the actual book. Guess I'll see after a few real FREE STORIES if I still have an interest in this one and go from there.
Very disappointing.
April 24, 2011
Excellent book of short stories about a Vietnamese immigrant family in SF. Some of them really reminded me of Jhumpa Lahiri, in her way of drawing you into a story and then bringing it to a poignant end. Chau's stories have more youth to them, as about half of the stories are from the perspective of kids under 18, and are more related, as they follow different members of a family for 12 years, while the kids reach adulthood.
Some books centered in places I know seem fake, as if the author is just name-dropping places to seem hip. QATC seems to be revealing other sides of places I know and love.
The book is flawed, and I didn't like some of the stories as well as others. I really wish that the stories about the girls in high school had included hopes and dreams other than just how boys treated them. But I really liked this book.
I'm doubtful that I'll ever want to miss anything from Angie Chau.
Some books centered in places I know seem fake, as if the author is just name-dropping places to seem hip. QATC seems to be revealing other sides of places I know and love.
The book is flawed, and I didn't like some of the stories as well as others. I really wish that the stories about the girls in high school had included hopes and dreams other than just how boys treated them. But I really liked this book.
I'm doubtful that I'll ever want to miss anything from Angie Chau.
February 10, 2014
Beautifully written, this story of Viet and his family now living in the United States having arrived as boat people.
Angie Chau poetically describes Huong's insomnia, "The lack of sleep curled up in sulky half moons beneath her luminous eyes."
Viet's family has arrived in the United States and are attempting to make a start in this new country. Having been someone esteemed in Viet Nam as a professor, it is hard for him to interview for lowlier positions. So he carries with him to the interviews his yellowed certificates, "reminders of who he was and what he'd once achieved."
This story so well tells the discrepancy between who a person is and who he appears to be because he lacks command of this new country's language.
The terrors that Viet's family experienced as boat people is horrific and gripping to read.
Chau has done a beautiful job of deftly describing the life of this family in their new country.
Angie Chau poetically describes Huong's insomnia, "The lack of sleep curled up in sulky half moons beneath her luminous eyes."
Viet's family has arrived in the United States and are attempting to make a start in this new country. Having been someone esteemed in Viet Nam as a professor, it is hard for him to interview for lowlier positions. So he carries with him to the interviews his yellowed certificates, "reminders of who he was and what he'd once achieved."
This story so well tells the discrepancy between who a person is and who he appears to be because he lacks command of this new country's language.
The terrors that Viet's family experienced as boat people is horrific and gripping to read.
Chau has done a beautiful job of deftly describing the life of this family in their new country.
March 15, 2011
I heard Angie Chau read "In the Season of Milk Fruit" last October at Point Reyes Station and was very impressed. Last week I saw this collection at the local library and picked it up. Chau does a marvelous job of creating a cast of characters who are all very distinct in their desires to make a life for themselves in America. The concept of interlinked short stories was well executed and incredibly well written. For those who only got an excerpt on an e-reader, check out the entire book. I wouldn't be surprised if these stories got made into a short film, Chau writes so vividly.
August 22, 2011
At what point is it okay to retaliate when someone threatens us or when what they say is perceived as a threat? When you know an attack on oneself or a loved one is inevitable? Where does forgiveness come in? In forgiving yourself? In forgiving another?
Viet's wife was threatened by another and he (Viet) took action. Now he's faced with some ugly language against his 13-year old daughter and that doesn't sit well with him.
Not saying more.
Viet's wife was threatened by another and he (Viet) took action. Now he's faced with some ugly language against his 13-year old daughter and that doesn't sit well with him.
Not saying more.
June 21, 2011
A great collection of interconnected stories focusing on the experiences of Vietnamese immigrants and their first generation children. Sad and funny at times; aptly compared to Cisneros' House on Mango Street. Chau doesn't have quite the innocent and observant voice as Cisneros, but her observations about negotiating an American identity while attempting to maintain a cultural identity are powerful.
October 3, 2011
This author came and talked to my book club, so I got some cool insight into this book. It's a Vietnamese immigrant coming of age story in San Francisco in the 70's/80's. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different family member (I guess not all family members, but it jumps around), so that's interesting. Some of the stories are more compelling than others. Good read if you're interest in the immigrant experience.
January 30, 2011
This is a free kindle book, and it's a preview of a collection of short stories about the immigrant's life in the USA. This version is a 10-minute read, but the author was able to capture the characters' essences and thoughts so well. It would have been nice if this sampler had more than one story in it. I will definitely get the whole collection.
June 4, 2011
This was a "Free" teaser on the Kindle. It was not the whole book, just a snipet of one of the short stories within. I don't know if it deserves more or less than 3 stars seeing how it was so short. From what I was able to read I can tell that I would probably enjoy the rest of it. I'll keep my eyes open for the complete book at my local used book store.
July 11, 2011
I loved this save for the last story. Last story put me off. All the other stories were beautiful but I hated not only the last story but how it was the last one. I wouldn't be so annoyed if it wasn't my last impression of the collection of stories, though I understood it's meant to be chronological.
November 14, 2011
This is a series of short vignettes about a family of Vietnamese who are trying to make it in America. They live one family to a room in a dilapidated apartment. There is never enough food or clothing--even love is sometimes in short supply. The writing is beautiful, the stories very touching. It's well worth the read.
March 29, 2012
This book is a series of interlinked short stories of a refugee Vietnamese extended family as they struggle to build new lives in San Francisco. The adults in the book led distinguished lives back in Vietnam, but they become members of the poor working class in the U.S. The author explores cultural, generational, and gender issues peppered with humor and sadness.
March 21, 2014
Great character development. Felt like a thriller: Way too many dangers when making a life in a new country. Watch out for that COWORKER!!! Eek. Following along with the naïveté of Vietnamese teenagers discovering sexuality while making sense of being seen as exotic was the worst! Terrifying. Hide kids; hide wife.
November 29, 2010
One of the first novels I have read from a Vietnamese -American writer. Angie Chau navigates the lives of a number of families who arrive in San Francisco in the 1970's. It is a well written novel which deals with growing pains adjusting to America.
December 29, 2010
i thoroughly enjoyed angie's book - and she's showing a promising career ahead of her. it's great to see another vietnamese american writer on the scene and especially from san francisco where stories are rich and diverse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews