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Draft:The Mountains Sing

The Mountains Sing
AuthorNguyễn Phan Quế Mai
PublisherAlgonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Publication date
March 17, 2020
Pages352
ISBN978-1-616-208189

The Mountains Sing is a 2020 historical novel by Vietnamese writer Nguyen Phan Que Mai. This novel was published by the Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill company and has received widespread praise for its narrative of the Vietnamese experience over the 20th century while focusing predominately on the Vietnam War and its aftermath.

Background

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The Mountains Sing is a novel rooted deeply in Nguyen Phan Que Mai's personal and family experiences which is leveraged to greatly illuminate the intertwined history of both her family and Vietnam. The novel is written in English which is significant in reaching a wider audience marking a step forward in the author's overall career. The narrative of this book boasts a resounding spirit amidst the Vietnamese people also reflecting their deep resilience through the lens of a single family. The author provides personal perspective on events such as the French colonial era, the Japanese occupation, land reforms, the Vietnam War, and even its lingering aftermath.

Plot Summary

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The Mountains Sing tells a story about the Tran family dating back several generations. The overall plot is based around the highly resilient matriarch Dieu Lan and her granddaughter, Huong. The story alternates between their two perspectives spanning all the way from the French colonial period through the Japanese occupation, land reform, the Vietnam War, and post-war Vietnam.

Dieu Lan dives deeper into her chilling experiences having survived a great number of hardships such a the Great Hunger and Land Reform. Her granddaughter, Huong, offers a more modern view expanding on the aftermath of the Vietnam War and ongoing struggle experienced across the Vietnamese people. This novel does a phenomenal job capturing the sheer strength and resilience of the Vietnamese people and an enduring bond of family during a harrowing time.

Themes

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Family and Resilience

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This novel shines brightly on the unbreakable and unnerving bond of family. Although having faced incredible adversity, the Tran family supports each other through thick and think. This showcases a true and unshakeable bond of family, love, and unity. Deiu Lan reflects "Family is the only thing that stands the test of time" (Nguyen, p. 65)[1], illustrating the crucial role of family in persevering through life's challenges.

War and Trauma

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The Mountains Sings highlights the traumatic effects of the Vietnam War and the impact it had on both individuals and families. It expressively captures the physical and emotional wounds left by the conflict and the overall long-term impact that violence and displacement had. Huong narrates "War devours not only the bodies, but also the souls of those it touches" (Nguyen, p. 142)[1]. This quote emphasis the astoundingly deep psychological injuries that have continued to impact the characters long after the ending of the Vietnam War.

Cultural Heritage and Identity

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Nguyen Phan Que Mai emphasized the great importance of cultural heritage as well as identity. Through the story told of Dieu and Huong, we gain a valuable insight about the traditions of the Vietnamese people, their folklore, and a very deep sense of connection with the characters and Vietnam. This is evident by Dieu Lan's reflection "Our ancestors are the roots that anchor us to this land" (Nguyen, p. 210)[1]. This highlights how the characters find strength and resilience in their unique cultural identity, showing the importance of heritage and cultural continuity which is a reoccurring theme throughout the novel.

Reception

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The Mountains Sing was widely praised for many reasons, highlighted from the New York Times, it was emphasized for its lyrical prose, rich storytelling, and historical depth. Critics have praised the author for her great skill and ability to integrate personal and national histories together in a highly compelling novel as described by Publisher Weekly.

Gaiutra Bahadur, writing for The New York Times, described the novel as a "stirring family saga" that brings to light a highly taboo history in Vietnam through emphasizing the novel's tremendous emotional weight and narrated complexity. Bahadur also highlighted the novel's creative way of weaving personal and national histories together. This review notes how it provides a unique exploration of the great human cost of war and the astounding resilience of the Vietnamese people.[2]

Publishers Weekly commended Nguyen Phan Que Mai for very skillfully intertwining of both historical events and personal accounts. Highly praised in this review is the novel's lyrical prose and detailed depiction of Vietnam's past. The review discusses how the author's background in poetry enriched the overall narrative, adding layers of emotional depth and cultural acumen enhancing the reader's understanding of the characters' experiences.[3]

Library Journal's Shirley Quan praises on the novel's rich multigenerational narrative and captivating storytelling. Nguyen Phan Que Mai is described as having brought to life key personal events that reflect a deep resilience and endurance of her characters while also lending crucial insight into the historical and social context of Vietnam. Quan further describes the novel as exploring personal and national trauma combined with a focus and strength of family bonds.[4]

The novel has received the following awards:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Nguyễn, Phan Quế Mai. The mountains sing: A novel. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2020.
  2. ^ Bahadur, Gaiutra (2020-03-17). "A Stirring Family Saga Tells a Taboo History of Vietnam". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  3. ^ "The Mountains Sing by Que Mai Phan Nguyen". Publishers Weekly. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  4. ^ Quan, Shirley (2020-01-01). "The Mountains Sing". Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
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