Vietnamerica

Vietnamerica
by G.B. Tran [741.5 Tra]

Vietnamerica is a personal graphic memoir by G.B. Tran in which he documents the conversations with his immigrant Vietnamese family. They recount their family history in Vietnam leading up to their escape to America. The illustrations throughout are colorful and unique to the graphic novel genre. Tran also incorporates his father and grandfather's watercolors throughout which adds another strong visual layer. The nonlinear story retraces his parents' and grandparents' lives in Vietnam as they were growing up amidst the controversies of French and finally American occupation. Unlike other Vietnam war stories Tran focuses on Vietnamese familial relationships, which were affected by the political conditions of the time. Further he explores his relationship as a Vietnamese American and his place in both cultures. Tran ends his story in tribute to the memory of his family and the importance for all immigrants to appreciate their ancestral heritage. A great read for all first generation immigrants. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try When Heaven and Earth Changed Places by Le Ly Hayslip, The Photographer by Emmanuel Guibert, Waltz With Bashir by Ari Folman, Che : a graphic biography by Sid Jacobson, Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ G.B. Tran's official blog ]

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