Small Bamboo: How my family's journey on a leaky boat led to our wonderful life in Australia: Growing Up and Growing Old with My Vietnamese Australian Family

by Tracy Vo

An extraordinary story of escaping Vietnam to create a happier life in Australia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography, Australia

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first part of the story which was about Tracey’s family and their lives in Vietnam before, during and after the Vietnam war, and their eventual escape. When writing about her family and their experiences - as pilots, soldiers, prisoners, black marketeers, and eventually new immigrants, the pages were filled with depth and character. Yet, the second part of the story, Tracey’s own, was told with much less colour and much more name dropping, and as a result It took away the initial enthusiasm I had for the book.
Overall, it was a good read, probably 3.5 stars, and I thank her for telling it.

[The Bookish Gardener · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Life Writing tutor, I like to read memoir as much as I like to breathe.
My writers often want me to recommend genres similar to their style of memoir writing. I found this book in the library and started to read.
I wasn't familiar with journalist and Channel Nine presenter Tracy Vo as I rarely watch commercial TV news, yet her story sounded interesting.
The first section of the book told the story of how her parents met in Vietnam and how her father's family fled after the Fall of Saigon. This part of the story gripped me and I was moving quickly through the book. There were a lot of family members, but I didn't lose track of who they were as each separate person was vividly drawn. Some of the scenes described in this fleeing of Vietnam had excellent tension and I couldn't wait to see what happened.
When her family was settled in Western Australia, in a relocation program, the story took a different tone and pace. I found this part of the story not as compelling. Tracy's parents quickly found work and like many migrants and refugees, worked hard to make the most of their lives in a new country to improve opportunities for their children.
Tracy seemed to have different accounts of growing up. She found lifelong friends and colleagues who became like family. And while she said her family rarely faced racism, she did recall how hard it was particularly as a young girl being different to her peers. The family was blessed with pleasant connections and 'gentle' men who helped them along their way in a new world. I was pleased for the family, but as a reader, I wondered where the tension lay.
I almost gave up at this point, as another of my writers told me she did, but I pressed on.
The next part of her story, when she moved to Sydney to work as a young journalist interested me, as I too walked a similar, but different path. Some of the people Tracy mentioned, I had worked with too, many years ago.
The memoir finished by talking about Tracy's life, but as a greedy reader, I wanted more. I wanted to know about her own life, where she lived and who she loved, but the private part of her life was kept private and fair enough. It's her memoir, it's her call. It seemed to be too much smooth sailing and it did make me wonder what had been left out and why. Toward the end, Tracy mentioned a police incident where she transversely became a part of the news. The story then picked up pace for me and I quickly followed it to the end.
It's good to see she is now back presenting the news in Western Australia. There is no doubt she too worked hard to get herself to where she is today.

[Wheely Big Bike Trip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last year, I've started picking up reading again. Most of the books, that I've been reading, have been about cricket (KP's autobiography), railway travel (The Great Railway Bazaar), a handful of short narrowboat books, and one by a long distance bicycle tourer riding across Siberia in winter. Then I started this book in March. I can only say, this is one of the most gripping books I've read, for quite a while. Tracy tells an absolutely heartfelt story of her family, as they flee from Vietnam. Suffice to say, it doesn't go smoothly - there are several setbacks. It really does feel that you've been with them, in person, as they go through their trials and tribulations.

If you're looking for a book to read, this year, make this one of them. You won't be disappointed!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really heartfelt, genuine recount of family experiences. A very positive recount from a fabulous journalist. Her book appealed to me as an adult but has genuine appeal to young adult readers. However, appeals to such a wide audience, I have recommended to my high school library as a purchase. As an english teacher, I can recommend this text to a number of my students from stage 4 to 6. There are probably students in stage 3 that would enjoy this honest appraisal of Tracy's accommodations and lack thereof. An easy read but heartwarming, full of hope. Should be more of the same.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Vo's parents' escape from Vietnam is one that seems particularly poignant in light of the current Syrian crisis. And I still can't get over the idea of her paternal grandma giving birth to 24 kids! When Vo talks about her own life, it does read a little simplistically and with minimal colour. Maybe this is Vo's background in factual news reporting, or emotional cautiousness, but her tenacity in pursuing her career has no doubt led to her success. I'm sure she's given inspiration to so many Asian kids who now have proof they can end up on Australian tv too.

[Rebecca Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first part of this book, where Vo recounts her parents youth, lives in Vietnam, escape from Vietnam and subsequent new life in Australia were all quite interesting. The rest of the novel, Vo talking about her own life and experiences thus far felt a bit bland by comparison. The book also felt like it was written quite simply - good for a general audience but no literary masterpiece.

[Denita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do so I didn't really know whether I wanted to read Small Bamboo as it would be much the same. Of course it was in some respects but so different in others. The biggest lesson I learnt from both these books were that both these families were so grateful that another country would take them in and that they would work hard and make a life here.

[Michele Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great privilege to read Tracy's story, a fascinating insight into 3 generations of her family, and her own success as a stellar journalist. A book all young people should read, to appreciate the good life we live here in Australia. Well done Tracy.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant writing and a very interesting story about the author's parents escaping Vietnam by boat and being accepted as refugees in Perth. We also learn about growing up in Perth as the only Asian in her year group at school. Highly recommended reading!

[Brookex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book about a brave family. Was hard to read at times due to what they were going through. Read it in 1 night, couldn't put it down. Favourite part was reading about my grandparents & seeing their picture! X

[alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really was attached to this book tbh, i found myself being able to relate to tracy vo a lot more as we both grew up in a country not of our ethnic background, though i wasn't born in australia unlike her. still we both faced the same struggles regarding our asian and australian identities.

[Katerina Whitefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracy writes so gracefully about her family and her history.

[Piyumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracy vo is media superstar, the book talks about her family's journey to the Australia. It shows some selfless amazing people who work hard to bring her parents to the Australia.

[Karlie Teis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Small Bamboo. What a beautiful family Tracy has. This family has been ripped apart by war, and bounced back on their feet. They have good morals and ethics and her parents have raised a successful, hard working daughter. It really is a great story about a family who had nothing to lose taking enormous risks and it paid off. They have sacrificed a lot for a second chance and worked hard to create a better life for their family.