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A graphic novel I picked up on a whim, and was glad I did. This is a memoir of a young boy who has to move from the US to Saigon in the early years of the Vietnam War. His father is a Vietnamese diplomat and becomes the personal interpreter to the Prime Minister of South Vietnam. It was fascinating to read of his experiences.

A beautifully illustrated graphic memoir of a young French-Vietnamese boy living in Vietnam with his family during the 1960s. Marcelino Truong‘s father worked as a translator for Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem in the 1960s. The family moves from the US, where they had been living for the past three years, to Vietnam.

Read the rest of my review https://reallifereading.com/2018/05/06/asiannlitbingo-such-a-lovely-little-war-b...

#uncannyoctober day 2: #nfaboutacountryyoudliketovisit

Cannot pick just one....
Have you been to any of these places? From top left: Iceland, Turkey, Vietnam, Wales

I really enjoyed this graphic novel memoir of a young boy who has a unique perspective on the Vietnam War. Marco's father was one of the top translators for the South Vietnamese president, and he presents the political happenings of 1960s Vietnam is a way that I think we never consider as Americans. The illustrations are lovely and this is exactly what I wanted from my research. 🇻🇳

Had a bunch of holds come in today, so my research books on Vietnam 🇻🇳 are all gathered! Now to make time to sit and read them!!!

A #graphicmemoir of the early years of the #Vietnam #war from the POV of a young boy named Marco. There are not many books out there about Vietnam #history and since this is my first read about Vietnam, it's an #eyeopening one for me. I enjoy the #illustrations and the story though it was confusing at times. #nonfiction #bibliophage #memoir #bookworm #booknerd #bookstagram #librarybooks #readforlife #philomath #read150 #calgarylibrary

I can't get enough graphic memoir, but this felt more like a history lesson. Most chapters are dedicated to explaining the factors that led up to the Vietnam War, and the major players' motivations. I wanted to hear more about his mother's mental illness instead 😕 The story doesn't feel very personal and the panels have a confusing flow that forces you to read dialogue out of order. Tons of footnotes too, which has the eye straining to keep up

Mireille (age 11) added this story to a letter to our Saint-Malo grandparents.
Monsieur and Madame are at quiet war with each other. For a week, they haven't spoken, but since life has to go on anyway, they exchange little notes. One evening, Monsieur puts a note on the bedside table: "Wake me tomorrow at 7." The next day, he woke up at 9 and found a note: "Wake up, it's 7."

I swallowed his explanations about the mystery of transubstantiation. No problem. Everything was possible in Vietnam.*
*In Vietnam, people sometimes drink blood to seal a pact. Whose blood? No idea.

It was more history lesson than I expected in this graphic memoir, but then how could it not be so, because Marcelino Truong is writing about 1961-1963 in Saigon. He was able to piece together a detailed account of his childhood and his parents' turbulent relationship by reading the many letters his French mother had sent to her parents. Truong's art renders people and the setting especially well. Smooth translation by David Homel.

I like best when the author shares his memories of being preschool age in Vietnam in the early 60s:
"This propaganda image reminds me of the barbers in Saigon. They would blow on the back of your neck to cool down the burn from their shears."

Back then, if you said "Madame," everyone knew you meant Madame Nhu.

Women "played a considerable role during the wars in Vietnam. Yet once victory was secured, they went back to their traditional roles."

In 1962, the armed branch of Vietnamese president's wife Madame Nhu's Women's Solidarity Movement wore uniforms inspired by Star Trek. "Episode 45 of Star Trek, entitled 'A Private Little War' (1968), was inspired by the beginnings of American involvement in Vietnam."

"For the reporters of the time, it was still a lovely little war, with just enough adrenaline. To see it, you showed up at dawn at the Saigon airport."

Today's #libraryhaul. I hardly know where to start - I want them all, right now. 😀📚😀

Interesting read from an era of the Vietnam War that isn't covered as often. Truong mixes history and memoir quite seemlessly. I especially liked learning more about the militant women (this lovely cover is hidden beneath the jacket!) and Madame Nhu--I added Finding the Dragon Lady to my TBR years ago and now have renewed interest in reading it!

Bonus realization while reading this--I can count it for my #ReadHarder #SoutheastAsianauthor!