Snow in Vietnam Quotes

“Be strong and persevere. Is that not what Buddha teaches you?” I rub her back and soothe her as if she were a child. “Negative thoughts will lead to more suffering.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“cubed beef marinated in sesame oil, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt, and sugar, then sautéed and enjoyed with a salad tossed in a lime vinaigrette dressing.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“There is a longing in me to return to the old Việt Nam. I miss my country that is lost forever. I miss my family whom I may never see again, at least, not until it is safe to return. I am nothing more than a homeless person stuck between yesterday and tomorrow and two countries that do not want me.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“Buddha teaches us to have perseverance. Only then can we overcome our obstacles,”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“The beach clears and is deserted. Empty, like we were never there. Funny thing about human existence - One day we exist in this world. We breathe, we laugh, and we love. We experience hardships, we go to work, and we enjoy our time with friends, family, and other passions. And then, our bodies slow down. We age, we die, and then we are invisible to those who loved us and talked to us every day.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“I cannot believe the world we live in, here in our own country.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“This city that is so much a part of my heart and mind will never be the same. The sunlight does not shine the same. The trees no longer present themselves as strong and wise. The shops have lost their appeal. I am a small child in this familiar, yet strange, city. Gone are the happy days when I was a university student here. Will Sài Gòn ever reclaim her glory again? If I ever return, will this city welcome me back? Or am I dead to her now? Are we both lost to each other? Goodbye, beautiful Sài Gòn. I will never forget you.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“Brother, she is afraid, and I understand, but this is what they want. They want to divide families, make us spy on each other and our neighbors, and rival one another. They pretend to be nice and helpful, and yet, they restrict us to our hamlets, make our currency obsolete, take away our food, burn our villages, and steal our livelihood. We are not liberated as one country under one flag. We are the conquered people in a land that is no longer ours.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“not only have I lost most of my friends but also my country. I am reminded that I have no husband, no home of my own, no scooter, and no respectable job. I have lost the freedom to go as I please from the city to the countryside unless I have permission or a license, and when I get home, I may not even have my family.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“This is not fair!” I scream and break free of Tâm’s arms. “I have done everything right in my life. I have been good to everyone, to my parents, to my family, to my neighbors, to God! I am good to animals and I never swear! I even went to college five hours from home while you all got to stay here! Instead of marrying Sam, I get an arranged marriage to a man I do not love! And now this? The one thing I want most in my life is to have a baby of my own, who will love me and be with me. My baby is supposed to be beautiful and healthy and smart. She is meant to grow up to be successful.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“Mai also means ‘tomorrow’. She is our future, and she is beautiful like her mother and the blossoms.” Tý caresses my arm. ”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“You and Mông Dơ can be twins.” She is referring to our chicken, whose name means “Dirty Butt”. ”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel

“Grit and tenacity will take you far in life, but love and forgiveness will carry you to the finish line.”
― Amy M. Le, Snow in Vietnam: A Novel