58 pages 1 hour read

Kao Kalia Yang

The Latehomecomer

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2008

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Latehomecomer, Kao Kalia Yang tells the story of her family's journey from Thailand's Ban Vinai Refugee Camp to St. Paul, Minnesota, exploring their Hmong heritage and the resilience required to overcome displacement and hardships. Yang documents her family's struggles and sacrifices to ensure a better life for their children, emphasizing the importance of education and family bonds. The memoir includes sensitive topics such as war, starvation, and poverty.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang is widely praised for its poignant narrative and emotional depth, offering a compelling memoir of the Hmong-American experience. Critics highlight Yang's lyrical prose and vivid storytelling. However, some find the pacing slow at times. Overall, it’s an evocative and essential read for understanding refugee struggles.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Latehomecomer?

Readers who cherish poignant immigrant narratives, cultural heritage, and personal resilience will be riveted by Kao Kalia Yang’s The Latehomecomer. Comparable to works like Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior and Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, it appeals to those valuing intimate family sagas and Hmong American stories.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

890L

Book Details

Genre

Mythology

Biography

Topics

Immigration / Refugee

History: Asian

Poverty

Themes

Relationships: Family