"Cherry Truong’s parents have exiled her wayward older brother from their Southern California home, sending him to Vietnam to live with distant relatives. Determined to bring him back, twenty-one-year-old Cherry travels to their homeland and finds herself on a journey to uncover her family’s decades-old secrets—hidden loves, desperate choices, and lives ripped apart by the march of war and currents of history.
The Reeducation of Cherry Truong tells the story of two fierce and unforgettable families, the Truongs and the Vos: their harrowing escape from Vietnam after the war, the betrayal that divided them, and the stubborn memories that continue to bind them years later, even as they come to terms with their hidden sacrifices and bitter mistakes. Kim-Ly, Cherry’s grandmother, once wealthy and powerful in Vietnam, now struggles to survive in Little Saigon, California without English or a driver’s license. Cherry’s other grandmother Hoa, whose domineering husband has developed dementia, discovers a cache of letters from a woman she thought had been left behind. As Cherry pieces their stories together, she uncovers the burden of her family’s love and the consequences of their choices.
Set in Vietnam, France, and the United States, Aimee Phan’s sweeping debut novel reveals a family still yearning for reconciliation, redemption, and a place to call home."
Sounds good right? Since my parents immigrated in the 70s, I love immigrant stories. Some of my favorite films (The Namesake, Under the Same Moon, and Shades of Ray) delve into the challenges immigrants and their children face. Personally I have always felt that being the child of immigrants means having one foot in each country. Now let me tell you how to enter.
If you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada and would like to win a paperback of The Reeducation of Cherry Truong, comment with your email address below. A winner will be selected and announced March 13th.
And what I got out of this post: I wonder is The Namesake movie is better than the book? lol
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it yet. But I've heard it's great.
DeleteI loved both the book and movie, but for separate reasons! The film was spellbinding in a way the book was not, but Lahiri's words in The Namesake had me sobbing at 3 a.m.
DeleteOh wow. You reallly make me want to read it now. :)
DeleteI found the book to be very well written but just a bit plodding for my taste.
DeleteRight on Melissa. Thanks for the warning. :)
DeleteI adore these kinds of stories and I particularly love ones about Vietnam and immigrants uncovering secrets. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesavvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com
You're such a sweetie! Terrific giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love immigrant stories, too -- they're always so moving. And when characters arrive in the U.S., we get such a different perspective on the country. Some of my favorite books ever have been immigrant stories, actually! (The Namesake, How To Be An American Housewife.)
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this one -- thanks!
writing.meg [at] gmail.com
You bring an excellent point about a different perspective! I realllly need to read The Namesake. Did you see the film?
DeleteOh this sounds so lovely...! I read Ellis Island last year (one about an Ireland gal who came to America), it was so good.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway
willowdust@gmail.com
Right on! I should look that up :)
DeleteMy grandparents immigrated waaay before your parents do. I've heard all of my mother's stories and do love a good immigrant story. Please enter me. kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
ReplyDeleteWhere did they immigrate from? :)
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful read! Thanks for the chance, Juju.
ReplyDeletetruebookaddictATgmailDOTcom
Juju, I got a copy to review... the publicist said you referred her to me. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's true :) As soon as I read the summary, I thought of you. I figured it would be right up your alley.
DeleteWow - that actually sounds awesome! I don't read a ton of adult fiction, but I'd love to make an exception for this one :) Thanks for the chance to win! katiedekoster(@)gmail(.)com
ReplyDeleteJuJu - Enter me in! I'm taking a Global Search for Justice class in April and it's about women and immigration. I would love to read this book and perhaps refer others to it.
ReplyDeletebookbelle0819@comcast.net
How very very cool!
DeleteOoh, ooh, ooh, me too please! *waves hand wildly*
ReplyDeletemary@mchristineweber.com
:0)
Oooh sounds really good chick!!! *looks at TBR pile* ... *sigh*
ReplyDeleteImmigrant stories are filled with so much emotion and I love reading about life in the home country v. life in America. Please enter me anovelsource@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteO yes I do like hearing the comparisons :)
DeleteSounds so good!
ReplyDeleteakaleistar (at) gmail (dot) com
Oh, I really like that cover. Thanks for the giveaway - this book sounds great!
ReplyDeletebookloversdiary@yahoo.com
I, too, have typically enjoyed stories of immigrant families. This book sounds wonderful. Please enter me to win. beth.diiorio@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteNo need to enter me.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fab book! I enjoy immigrant stories because they are such an inspiration. To pick up and move to another country is such a brave thing to do, and sometimes the only choice one has. Thanks for bringin this to my attention Ju-Ju!
So true. It takes enormous amounts of courage. Especially when you don't know the language.
DeleteSounds fascinating, Juju. Would love a copy. How did you like Daughters of the River Huong? I truly loved it! Email: atiba1997@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Gayle! :) I can't say I've read that one. :) I will look it up.
Deletethis one does sound good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeletereflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for the fab giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome and that's so cool your parents were immigrants! My grandfather came over from Sicily in the 1930s and my mom still feels a close connection with Italy! I haven't read a book with an immigrant family, it sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway Juju!
callmecrazyreviews (at) rocketmail (dot) come
Oh right on! :) I dream of visiting Italy.
DeleteSounds interesting...best of luck everyone!
ReplyDelete(not an entry)
Twitted about your contest at: https://twitter.com/#!/cherrymischivus/status/177806405032620032
ReplyDeleteGoodluck to everybody entering!! :)
Cherry Mischievous
(not an entry)
(non-US/Can)
You're the best Cherry darling! *hug*
Delete***Please note: A winner was selected and announced 3.13.12.
ReplyDelete(http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2012/03/contest-winner-reeducation-of-cherry.html)
Thank you for entering. The winner was selected with help from Random.org.***