Welcome to Litsy!

I was surprised to find that these stories about the varieties of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans‘ lives after the war ended was written by a white American. The stories were so perfectly crafted and felt so universal even though they were specific to one war‘s impact. I think this is the best book I‘ve ever read where a writer explores another country/people‘s lives - so much variety and heart this is absolutely how it‘s done.

Such a surprising collection of stories. Most of them are sad, but a lot have some moments of lightness and humor as well. I very much enjoyed this.

This is the best short story that I have read in a while.

Some of these stories bored me to death. Some surprised me, interested me, and intrigued me. It's one of those "take it or leave it" short story collections. All are about the Vietnamese. 3/5 stars

#AprilBookShowers #TitleWithGood

I have several in my TBR with the word "Good" or "Goods" in it. Like all of my TBR, I'll read them... someday. ??

Butler is a skilled writer and some of these stories were very poignant. But, I just couldn't get past the cultural appropriation- white man writing from the viewpoint of the Vietnamese.

This is a book of short stories about Vietnamese living in Louisiana - it's poignant and thoughtful and gently empathetic, and all around excellent. 10/10, would read again.

His kitchen was full of such smells that you knew you had to understand everything or you would be incomplete forever.

There were women around Jesus when He died, the two Marys. They couldn't do anything for him. But neither could the men, who had all run away.