40 pages 1 hour read

GB Tran

Vietnamerica: A Family's Journey

Nonfiction | Graphic Memoir | Adult | Published in 2011

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Vietnamerica by GB Tran is a graphic memoir tracing four generations of the Tran family, focusing on GB’s parents, Dzung Chung and Tri Huu. The narrative interweaves stories of their youth in wartime Vietnam, experiences as refugees in the US, and GB's journey to understand their sacrifices and heritage, culminating in a family trip back to Vietnam. The memoir includes depictions of emotional and physical abuse.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

GB Tran's graphic memoir Vietnamerica has been praised for its heartfelt storytelling and intricate artwork, which vividly captures his family's history and the Vietnamese American immigrant experience. Critics commend its blend of personal and historical narratives. However, some note that the non-linear timeline can be confusing. Overall, it’s a powerful exploration of identity and heritage.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Vietnamerica?

Fans of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi or Maus by Art Spiegelman will resonate with Vietnamerica by GB Tran. This graphic memoir is ideal for readers interested in personal, intergenerational stories of immigration, cultural identity, and the Vietnam War, depicted through evocative visuals and poignant storytelling.

RecommendedReading Age

15-18years

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Family

Relationships: Fathers

Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Period

Vietnam War

Topics

Military / War

Immigration / Refugee

History: World

Genre

Biography