The Best We Could Do

Early in the book, Thi Bui writes something to the effect that when it comes to family, proximity is not closeness. This remarkable book charts her discovery of her parents' story, particularly their lives in Vietnam and what they had to do in order to escape the country in the wake of the Vietnam War. For anyone who has parents, the story will resonate as she learns things about them that she never new. For Americans in particular, the book is instructive about how Vietnamese experienced the "Vietnam War," and were affected by changing demands of loyalty and shifts in power.

Very resonant story of reexamining ones parents while becoming a parent.

Wow. What a poignant read ! A hard reminder that history repeats itself. I learnt about the history of Vietnam. I could map the story and relate it to the situation in Srilanka too.

Poignant and interesting.