The Boat: Stories
by Nam Le
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Book Summary Information
Author: Nam LeEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-08-11
ISBN: 0307388190
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Vintage
Book Reviews of The Boat: Stories
Book Review: Excellent eclectic ethnic fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
I almost didn't get beyond the first (really good in spite of the predictable event near the end) story in this collection, about the relationship between a Vietnamese man and his Vietnamese-American son, not sure that I wanted to read six more on similar subjects (no, I hadn't read the titles). Fortunately, I continued on, as the second one, in which a fourteen-year-old boy assassin is forced to deal with the consequences of defying his boss, contains a less expected, though appropriate, ending. Tale number three, Meeting Elise, is set in the US and follows an elderly artist's attempt to meet his estranged daughter, who he abandoned (along with her mother) in exchange for life with a young model. The fourth story, set in yet another country (Australia) contains another male main character, a high school aged boy. After the girlfriend of the town brute wraps this kid around her little finger, he tries to handle the situation while dealing with worries about his sick mother, distant dad, and family's uncertain future. Hiroshima (country number five), set in Japan during WWII, is about a young girl forced to live away from her parents (for safety reasons), Imperialism, and the war. Story six, set in Tehran, follows a broken-hearted American woman as she visits an old female friend who works, dangerously, in support of women's rights. Arriving during a holy holiday and period of political unrest, she spends most of her time with others, has a scary encounter with some locals, and realizes how little she really knows about her friend. Le tops off the collection with the bleakest of all, Vietnamese persons try to travel to safety by ultra-overcrowded boat. Sickness, death, and in the midst of it all, is the story of a young girl's relationship with new acquaintances, a mother and her young, sweet-singing son.
The most original short story collection I've read in years, Nam Le shows that his mad skills at telling a compelling tale are only exceeded by his ability to do so with varying characters and settings (seven stories set in six countries). Although a bit racy at times, the best of the book is its bleak theme. Also good: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, Graceland by Christopher Abani, and A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
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