Kim Thúy's beautiful short story, Vi, is a must read for fiction lovers!

I won't lie, the fact that this book is so short was what drew me to it. I needed a quick read to keep me occupied while I was in a waiting room and this book was short enough to devour in one sitting. While this book might lack in quantity, it hits a real punch on the quality. I'm honestly surprised Kim is not a bigger author, because this book was mind-blowingly awesome. And yes, I am making mind-blowingly a word.

The cultural impact is probably the best part of this novel. Often, you can see silly cultural stereotypes in novels but this one did it right. You could tell Kim knew what she was talking about with the depth and nature of her words. It didn't feel cheap or obnoxious, it felt oddly satisfying to read about another culture that was not my own. Watching Vi's story take place over these pages was a fantastic adventure, since Kim wove her words so beautifully and made this story dance in my mind. I absolutely loved it!

I would have liked a better ending, I found it kind of "blah" compared to the rest of the novel. This book had me hooked and obsessed with Vi's journey and then the end just fell...well, flat. I would have liked something more. That was my only real issue with this novel. It is a translation (and my copy was an ARC) so there were some weird sentences with the translation but that wasn't a con for me. I moved passed those issues really easily when reading it.

Overall, this charming read is a great option if you want a story that will move you and impact your understanding of culture. I 100% recommend this book!

Four out of five stars.

I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads First Reads. ( )

I feel sadness and have many questions upon finishing this novel. I didn't expect to get so sucked into this story. I loved the history of Vietnam and it's culture in this novel and I loved following Vi through her life story but the ending was so sudden! What happened? Did she see her father and mother again? Did she ever find true love? I need to know more! I do recommend this book but just be prepared for a lot of unanswered questions. ( )

I like Kim Thuy's writing style very much; this is the third of her books that I've read.

This story gives us a good perspective of the issues many immigrants have to deal with: family members left behind, balancing the desire to hold on to traditional culture and beliefs while also wanting to adapt to a new home, and the divisions within families that this can cause.

I would have liked more details about Vincent's disappearance....but so would our protagonist, I imagine. ( )

With so much news about refugees and displaced peoples, this novel, written in 2016, reminds us of what many go through to find a home and what they can bring to their new country. In Thùy's case, a brilliant career as a writer in Canada. In Vi she gives readers a before and after view of Vietnam where we can imagine the scent of frangipani flowers and exotic food more than Agent Orange. Her writing is poetic and exquisitely brief without ever missing the crux of the story. Highly recommended. ( )

lovely. kim thúy has such a gorgeous way with language and story, and shiela fischman - once again - does a wonderful job of translation. it is amazing how much thúy conveys in a minimalist sort of style. ( )