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Title: Paradise of the Blind : A Novel by Thu Huong Duong, Nina McPherson ISBN: 0-06-050559-1 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.38 (16 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: The Struggle: Paradise of the Blind
Comment: Hearing people complain about their lives and how the world treats them so unfairly will really make one think about the reality of what they are saying after they read the novel, Paradise of the Blind. Coming from a Vietnamese background, I was intrigued to read this novel because I saw a slight connection, but after just a few chapters, I realized that people from all ethnic backgrounds could appreciate this novel. Paradise of the Blind deals with the struggle of three women in Vietnam and how they try to overcome their obstacles in their communist world and make a future for themselves and their family.
Hang, the main character of the novel, is summoned in the first chapter to go attend to her sick uncle. The story takes place on the train to Russia where Hang remembers back to her life living in communist Vietnam. She reminisces about her mother, Que, who would do anything to keep her and her daughter healthy and happy. She can still remember playing the streets of Vietnam while her mother was out selling odds and ends to keep them alive. Along the way, we hear details about Hang's father and about his death that Que never wants to tell Hang about. With Hang's father, comes Aunt Tam. She is the rich aunt that won't deny Hang anything. Paradise of the Blind tells about the life of these women and how through land reforms, death, poverty, love, and hate, these women survive and make a life for themselves.
The accounts of these women left me with a sense of knowledge about the restrictive time period that they lived in. Although very profound, this novel can surely be enjoyed by all audiences. The simplicity of the language helps the reader understand the real meaning that this novel is trying to share, and a truth like this one should not be kept in the dark.
Rating: 5
Summary: Beautiful and Truthful
Comment: If anyone wants to truly understand Vietnam's history and what life under communism is like, they should read this book. Duong Thu Huong reveals a reality I had not known about until I read Paradise of the Blind. This book captures the idealistic hope and devastating betrayal and disillusionment of those who gave their lives and hopes to communism, only to discover it is a lie. I will never be able to look at Vietnam and the war the same way again. The fact that this book is banned in Vietnam only reveals its power. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.
Rating: 3
Summary: Vietnam under communist rule.
Comment: This book gives a good picture of the atmosphere in the country: dictatorial power of corrupt party bosses, no free speech, hunger, inflation, collective suspicion, spying.
It is well constructed: a mixture of flashbacks and actual facts.
But I feel that the main characters are not integrated in the country's political and social system. There is a gap between the comments on the political and social environment and the experiences of the protagonists.
To the bargain, the novel is full of family reunions with enumerations of long lists of dishes, what makes the reading sometimes boring.
I prefer by far the work of Truong Nhu Tang 'A Vietcong Memoir'.
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Title: Memories of a Pure Spring by Thu Hng Dng, Nina McPherson, Phan Huy Duong, Duong Thu Houng, Huy Ng Phan, Duong Thu Huong ISBN: 0140298436 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 02 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Novel Without a Name by Thu Hng Dng, Duong Thu Huong ISBN: 0140255109 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: June, 1996 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Age of Iron by J. M. Coetzee ISBN: 0140275657 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: September, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam by Bao Ninh, Frank Palmos, Phan Thanh Hao, Bao Ninh, Bao ISBN: 1573225436 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: April, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family by Duong Van Mai Elliott ISBN: 0195137876 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: April, 2000 List Price(USD): $22.50 |
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