Her: The Flame Tree

by Khanh Ha

Winner of the Gival Press Novel Award
“In this almost folkloric saga of a royal eunuch, his adopted daughter and the tragedies and triumphs of love in their lives from the days of the emperor’s court to the war with America, Khanh Ha takes us deeply into the heart of traditional Vietnam in a tale told in such lushly poetic, descriptive language that it immerses the reader deeply and sensually into the gorgeousness of the land, the texture and taste of food, and the complex humanity of the characters. The Flame Tree is an intricately woven, seductively fascinating story of family, sacrifice, loyalty and redeeming love in the face of heart-breaking loss that breathtakingly weaves the lives of individuals we come to know and care about into the saga of Vietnamese—and American—history.”
—Wayne Karlin, author of Memorial Days

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Award winning author Khanh Ha is a ten-time Pushcart nominee. He is the recipient of the Sand Hills Prize for Best Fiction, The Robert Watson Literary Prize, The Orison Anthology Award, The James Knudsen Prize, The C&R Press Fiction Prize, The EastOver Fiction Prize, The Blackwater Press Fiction Prize, The Gival Press Novel Award, The Red Hen Press Fiction Award, The Unleash Creatives Fiction Prize, and The Next Generation INDIE Book Award.





Visit author’s website at: https://authorkhanhha.jigsy.com/

Reviews

[Teddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘HER: The Flame Tree’ centers around the life of Phuong. She was adopted by a eunuch of the Imperial of Huế, in Vietnam. Her name represents the flame tree’s flowers the are all around Huế.

The eunuch had invested in a noodle shop for Phuong to run as a teenager. He tried to dissuade her, pointing that he could care for her until she marries but she had an independent spirit. It was while she was working in her noodle shop that she met Jonathan Edward. He was looking for the daughter of his deceased lover.

Thus begins the story of the eunuch of the last dynasty of Vietnam and his adopted daughter. It covers his young love of high-ranking concubine and how he eventually adopted his daughter, around the fall of the dynasty.

Decades later, Minh, an expat of Vietnam travels back to his home country to speak with Phuong, now an old woman. About her life and that of her father’s.

HER, brings us on a at times beautiful but at times painful journey as we follow Phuong’s and her father’s journey through time in Vietnam. Ha’s poetic prose captures the times and place with the force of the powerful flame tree. He captures the beauty and brutality of life. It is so atmospheric; it just takes your breath away! I have found all of his books to be both beautiful and brutal but this may just be his best one to date! I highly recommend that you read ‘‘HER: The Flame Tree’ and if you haven’t already done so, all of his books. He just captures the human condition, unconditionally, warts and all in a beautiful, almost spiritual way.

[Bookgirl86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is, in truth, three stories rolled into one.
First, the story of a young Vietnamese/American man who travels to Vietnam to look for a woman named Phuong, the adopted daughter of a former eunuch of the Imperial Court.
Second, the story of Phuong's father, the eunuch, and how he met and came to care for the last concubine of the Emperor. And how their forbidden romance eventually became a tragedy.
And, lastly, the story of Phuong's own love affair with an American named Jonathan Edward, who traveled to Vietnam during the war to find the parents of his recently deceased lover.
All three stories are magnificently interwoven throughout the novel in a way that almost seems like magic, but, in fact, is simply the writing talent of author Khanh Ha.
Having read a few of Ha's books before, I was expecting great things from 'Her: The Flame Tree,' and it most certainly did not disappoint! Though this novel is a little different than his usual works, I found myself immediately being whisked away to a different time and place by his writing.
Ha's ability to create an atmosphere that makes a reader feel totally transported is unparalleled. Every time I read one of his books, I feel as though I am following the characters around, watching their every move as a silent, invisible observer. And this novel was no different.
At different times, I laughed, wept and found myself cursing along with the characters. I appreciated their strength and vulnerability, and rooted for them throughout the entirety of the novel, even knowing that not all of the stories could end well.
To call this a five-star book seems almost lacking in comparison to the writing, but unfortunately, that is the full amount that I can give it. In my heart, I give these 10 stars!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Miss Phượng passed to me this image. By a lotus pond
stood the concubine watching the maids pluck the lotus
seedpods, her hair draped over her shoulder in one long,
black swath. Her body curved gracefully, one shoulder
dipped slightly. Her eyelids drooped in a gentle curve,
pensive and serene.”

This novel brought me more peace than I've had from a story in a long time. 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is not just a novel, but a full-on spiritual reading experience. Khanh Ha's has an incredible writing talent! The beauty of this story took me away to a land that I have never seen in a totally different time.

There are really three stories to this book that intermingle together throughout, and each story is equally compelling. Firstly, there is Minh, the reporter who comes back to Vietnam after years of living in America to track down a woman that he once read about. Phuong is that woman. The adopted daughter of a former court eunuch, Phuong is now an old woman and she agrees to tell Minh about her life and the life of her father, Canh.

I loved Phuong's part of the story. Her tenacity and strength of spirit made her into such a great character. She was such a strong character, it made perfect sense that the book would center around her and that Minh would seek her out to hear about her life.

Everything about 'Her: The Flame Tree,' was brilliant, from the characterization to the atmosphere of the writing. I loved everything about this book, and I'm positive that anyone who reads it will love it, too! I cannot praise this novel enough for the limited space that I have here. Just trust me, you're going to want to pick this one up!

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story with both a strong plot and emotionally complex characters-- 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is just the right novel for anyone who loves literary fiction.

Many years ago, in the country of Vietnam, there lived an emperor. This emperor had many people in his household, of course, but two of those people were particularly special. There was a eunuch, and there was a final concubine.

The story of 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is not just the story of the growing love between these two characters, but it is, in fact, two other stories as well. There is the eunuch's adopted daughter, Phuong, a curious young girl who grows into a confident and beautiful woman and there is also the reporter, Minh.

Minh returns to Vietnam from his new home in American to find Phuong and hear her story. But he finds much more than he bargains for. Even as an elderly woman, Phuong is a force to be reckoned with, and she tells him the story of not only her own life, but her father's with just the type of grace and dignity that was so characteristic of her generation. Minh slowly begins to realize that hearing Phuong's words, listening to her stories, is changing him more than he thought it would, just as it does for the reader.

This novel is breathtaking-- there is no other way to sum it up.

Khanh Ha is such a talented writer that he is in a league of his own when it comes to atmospheric storytelling. He does not just write the words, he makes the reader feel the heat of the country, smell the food cooking and hear the birds calling.

It is as if he transports you to another time and another place entirely.

'Her: The Flame Tree,' is utterly gorgeous!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“From behind a dune dense with filao trees, Miss
Phượng’s house looked toward the sea. The evening was
windy and the wind stripped filao cones from the trees
and they fell like hail on her roof. In the lull, the sound
of falling cones stayed with me.” - 'Her: The Flame Tree,' by Khanh Ha

The narrator of this book, Minh is a reporter who returns to his native country of Vietnam from America to find one very mysterious woman. Many years before the start of the novel, Minh read an article about the woman, Phuong that interested him and he sets out to find her so that he might hear the full story of her life from her own lips. But when Minh finds Phuong, the old woman is not at all what he'd expected.

Phuong is the adopted daughter of a former eunuch from the Imperial palace. Despite no longer serving the emperor, Phuong's father, Canh was still highly revered. But Canh held a secret that defined his life-- he had been in love with the last concubine of the emperor. Their love with mired in tragedy, and they could never really be together.

Through the retelling of Phuong, the story of her father's life and love, as well as her own tragic love affair are told in stunning prose.

'Her: The Flame Tree,' is a book that begs to be enjoyed by any reader-- and one that will envelope you in it's delicate but powerful atmosphere. I am ready to bestow the absolute highest of praise on this novel and tell you that I think this is a book that anyone will love. I already plan to recommend it to friends and family.

[Liam W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You don’t worry about your fortune until your life is disturbed.”-'Her: The Flame Tree,' Khanh Ha
A captivating novel that I simply could not put down. 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is another stunning look at the Vietnamese people and their culture from the brilliant author Khanh Ha.

I felt as though I was transported to another world. A world that contains both the purest beauty, and the darkest secrets. All of the characters in this novel certainly have their secrets, and there is one man that is determined to unlock them.

Minh is a Vietnamese man who currently resides in the U.S., but decides to return to Vietnam to find the daughter of a former Imperial Eunuch. This woman, Phuong, is now elderly, but she has lived quite a life.

'Her: The Flame Tree,' follows along three different timelines and each one blends seamlessly into the last. First, there is the 1990s, the timeline that features Minh returning to Vietnam. Second, the story that Phuong tells about her childhood and into her adulthood, where she met a man called Jonathan Edward. Lastly, the story of Phuong's father, Canh, the palace eunuch.

Though all of the stories were interesting, I found Canh's story particularly fascinating. The strength of his character, the tragedy of his love with the emperor's concubine, and his love for his daughter were all so touching and beautiful.

In fact, I found myself often moved to tears by this book.

Ha’s writing leaps from the page and pulls you in! It’s amazing how he captures both the beauty and horrors in such a wonderful way! I can't wait to see what he comes out with next, and I can only hope that it happens soon!

[Smitty Blu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A musical novel with three intertwining stories, 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is a masterpiece of fiction from author Khanh Ha.

Imagine a world where the trees glow with red flowers that make them look as though they were on fire. That is the world of 'Her: The Flame Tree' and, more accurately, that is Vietnam.

Phuong's name is the same as the name of those trees, and she is just as beautiful. It is difficult to call Phuong the main character of the novel. In truth, I think that title may be more appropriate to give to Minh, the reporter who, after many years, tracks Phuong down in order to hear the story of her life. But the elderly woman is perhaps the subject of the novel and her presence weaves itself seamlessly throughout.

There are three stories to this novel. One, the story of Minh interviewing Phuong. Two, the story of Phuong's childhood and young adulthood. And three, the story of Phuong's adopted father, the palace eunuch's doomed love with the emperor's concubine. The stories are braided together like a young girl's hair, and each one informs on the others.

If it wasn't obvious from this review, I was enchanted by this novel. I can think of few reading experiences that I've ever had that were quite this magical. Ha's writing is one of a kind, and he creates a wonderfully unique reading experience!

From the strong, fully realized characters, to the breathtaking atmosphere, to the fascinating bits of Vietnamese history, I can't remember another book that captivated me so much! 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is well worth the read for any reader. I know that I will be personally recommending it to several of my friends.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his latest offering, master story teller, Khanh Ha, immerses us in the lush, exotic world of Vietnam, tainted with a dark side. This time, the stories of his complex characters are interwoven, spanning 3 time periods in the history of the country. His sensuous descriptions draw us into the world of the concubines and eunuchs in the last days of the Imperial court. Bo, who rose in the ranks of eunuchs, serves the Emperor's third concubine, An-Phi. When the Imperial court is dissolved by the French colonists, he returns to ordinary life and adopts a half caste girl, part French and part Vietnamese, named Phuong. In later years, nearing the end of her life, when an American of Vietnamese heritage comes, Phuong recalls Bo's life as well as her years growing up during the war in the 50's and 60's.

Tangled relationships, unrequited love and hidden secrets are revealed in each time period, eventually drawing the stories of all characters together, often with devastating consequences. In contrast with the exotic, but lonely and regimented life of the concubines, we learn of the horrors initiates endured to become eunuchs. The life of the rich Imperial court and its powerful members contrast starkly with that of the hardships endured by the common labourers. The beautiful gardens, animals, birds and perfume of the flora are invaded by the dangers of deadly snakes, catastrophic floods and spirits both human and unworldly inhabiting the cane fields after dark.

This is the author's third book, that I have read. He excels at rich description that draws you into his story and the lives of his characters. As a Canadian and being young at the time of the Vietnam War, I don't really know much about Vietnam. But with each book, the author tells more and more about the history of his ancient homeland and its people. I eagerly await his next book.

To win a copy for yourself, follow the tour at: https://theteddyrosebookreviewsplusmo...

[Bettybee306 · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Phượng. Dawn or dusk, you could see mottled-brown sandpipers
running along the seashore, legs twinkling, looking for
food. Twilight falling. I followed their tracks, like twiggy
skeletons strewn across the marbled sand until they ended
under the frothing waves.'

I have to admit, the title of this book intrigued me the moment I saw it. 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is an undeniably compelling thing to call a novel. I had to know what this book was about and I found that, through reading it, the title took on a whole new meaning that I wasn't even expecting!
This is a novel about life. A novel about love. A novel about friendship. All three are told through three interlocking stories through the magic of author Khanh Ha.

Set in Vietnam, 'Her: The Flame Tree,' tells the unforgettable story of a woman named Phuong and the men who changed her life in very different ways. Phuong's father, Canh was the first man who changed her life after he adopted her as a baby from an orphanage.

Canh was a eunuch, and, therefore, unable to have children of his own, so he adopted the infant Phuong despite little being known about her birth parents. As Phuong grew, she took in the lessons that her father taught and the stories that he told her about his time as an Imperial eunuch for the emperor. These stories are woven throughout the novel, as well as the story of a man named Jonathan Edwards, whom Phuong fell in love with as a woman.

This is a novel for lovers and for dreamers. The kind of book that you know will stay in your heart for a long time after you are done reading it. I was so impressed and moved by the author's writing that I found myself tearing up at some points and unable to put the book down to do anything!
'Her: The Flame Tree,' is truly a work of literary art like no other. I encourage you to read this as soon as you can get your hands on it!

[Laura Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Women stood and cranked pasty rice dough that wormed through a wire
mesh, the dangling strands oozing and dropping into the
boiling water. In the center of the shack, three men took
turns pounding rice grains with a long wooden pestle in
a huge, squat rock mortar. White dust hung like smoke
around them.”

I hope it isn't too early to call this my favorite book of the year! 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is simply a work of art. Written by author Khanh Ha, this novel takes place in Vietnam during three different time periods.

In the beginning, an expatriate reporter named Minh travels from America, back to his home country of Vietnam to find a very unique woman named Phuong. Now, although Minh is the first character that is introduced, Phuong's heartbreaking story is really the meat of the novel, and the reason that it is so compelling.

Phuong was orphaned as a baby and adopted by a well-respected man, a eunuch of the Imperial palace. Respected and well taken care of, Phuong lived a fascinating life with many adventures and Minh remembers her tales as she told them to him. On top of this, there is a third thread through the novel, the stories of Phuong's father, Canh and his love for the emperor's concubine. All three stories are woven together in an intricate tapestry that creates a beautiful novel.

I was so touched by this book, I found myself not wanting to put it down even after I was finished reading it! Adding to Khanh Ha's award-winning collection of novels, 'Her: The Flame Tree,' is a must-read for literature lovers everywhere.

I promise that if you read this book, you will walk away feeling inspired, moved and like the world is full of absolutely endless possibilities.

[Sally S · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But what had he told her about the other world? When
she said that, he cupped his large hands around hers,
making them disappear. He said in his soul he didn’t fear
dying, but he feared the hardship his death would bring
her.” -‘Her: The Flame Tree,’ by Khanh Ha

Another stunning novel from Khanh Ha that explores the cultural and spiritual history of the country of Vietnam. I have come to expect nothing but the best from this author from his past novels and short story collections, and what an addition to his body of work this was!

‘Her: The Flame Tree’ was a story about love, lust, and madness, all told through the lens of an outsider. But perhaps ‘outsider’ is not the right description for Minh. He is an expat, originally from Vietnam and now living in America.

At the start of the novel, Minh returns to Vietnam to track down a woman named Phuong. Phuong is the adopted daughter of a very highly honored former eunuch of the Imperial court. Now an old woman, Phuong lives in the shadow of the life that she once led, haunted by her memories.

This novel tells the story of Phuong’s life, while also recounting events from her father’s life through stories that she tells to Minh when he visits her.

Ha’s writing seamlessly blends reality with metaphor in a way that makes the reader feel as though they are passing through a dream. When I read one of his books, I often lose track of time and find myself getting lost in them for hours at a time. ‘Her: The Flame Tree’ is an unmissable novel for lovers of literary fiction and historical fiction alike.

Trust me when I say, you are going to want to pick this one up!

[Gud Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not very often does one get to read a masterfully woven piece melding some good old tradition, family matters, sacrifice, loyalty, and some redeeming love. However, Khanh Ha does exactly that in this brilliant masterpiece ‘Her: The Flame Tree.’

Reporter and graduate student Minh Tanh has a mission to find an adopted daughter of an elderly imperial eunuch who had served the emperor in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Upon meeting Phoung Bo who is now aged and living a simple rural life Tanh is now curious to know her story. Born when Vietnam is under the French Phuong Bo is half French and half Vietnamese and lacks any knowledge of her family’s history. Later she is adopted by Bo who serves as the grand eunuch for the powerful emperor and who has a good liking for one of the aging Emperor’s concubines something which leads him to some forbidden romance. More mystery arises when a young Phuong is met by Jonathan Edwards an American who is in search of her dead lover’s family who also happens to be of Vietnamese and French origin and who possesses a phoenix necklace identical to the one Phuong has. How will events unfold in this interwoven matrix?

Ha does a marvelous job in this stunningly inventive and deeply moving fiction with complete characters while bringing that creative atmosphere blending different timelines thus taking the reader to various events in this lush and beautiful country’s history while appreciating the country’s political and social structure changes over the centuries. This piece deserving my five-stars!!

[Donna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can something so breathtakingly beautiful be so heartbreakingly sad? Each page of this book is a razor's edge, slicing your veins open and leaving you to bleed. The author goes from wordless wonder to unutterable despair in the space of a sentence, in the blink of an eye, leaving one unable to catch your breath. I've never experienced the power of words in quite this way, not knowing whether to laugh and rejoice or scream and cry.

There are so many layers to this book, so much depth, but you find yourself resisting the less pleasant aspects. You just don't want them to happen. As in real life, you prefer to let the ugliness lie buried underneath, known but unacknowledged, in favor of the beauty and the fairy tales up above. This book shows you what happens when you turn a blind eye to the things you don't want to look at. Ultimately, we all end up looking into the abyss when we seek only the beauty while trodding on the weak or the undesirable. This story won't go away, just like it didn't half a century ago and just like the ones being made today won't.

This author is a master of words and we need more like him. Everyone needs to be reading his work.

***I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is strictly voluntary.***

[Chris Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Khanh Ha. Beautiful prose enveloping a haunting tale, with gorgeous imagery. Most definitely worth the read.