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Out of the Dragon's Mouth
After the fall of South Vietnam, fourteen-year-old Mai, a young Vietnamese girl of Chinese descent, is torn from a life of privilege and forced to flee across the South China Sea in the hold of a fishing trawler. Mai finds tenuous safety in a refugee camp on an island off the coast of Malaysia, where a greedy relative called Small Auntie offers her a place to stay―but her hospitality isn’t free. With her father’s words “You must survive” echoing in her ears, Mai endures the hardships of the camp, which are tempered only by her dreams of being sponsored by her uncle for entry into America. But when an accident forces Mai to leave the safety of Small Auntie’s family, she meets Kien, a half-American boy who might be the only person who can keep her alive until she’s sent to the United States. Coinciding with the fortieth anniversary of the fall of Saigon, Out of the Dragon’s Mouth is a poignant look into life ripped apart by the ravages of war.
“Given the dearth of material about the exodus of the families that supported democracy in Vietnam, this novel has value in helping to bring home to modern readers the great costs they suffered.”― Kirkus Reviews “This well-written…story puts emotions and a face to the word “refugee.”
― School Library Journal
“Given the dearth of material about the exodus of the families that supported democracy in Vietnam, this novel has value in helping to bring home to modern readers the great costs they suffered.”― Kirkus Reviews “This well-written…story puts emotions and a face to the word “refugee.”
― School Library Journal
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Burns Zeiss
1 book6 followersJoyce Burns Zeiss has always wanted to be a writer. After retiring from teaching junior high school, she became a member of Off Campus Writers Workshop in Winnetka, IL. Her experiences with resettling a Chinese Cambodian refugee family in 1979 and her subsequent trips to work in refugee camps in Africa have fueled her interest in the plight of the refugee.
Zeiss' first novel, OUT OF THE DRAGON'S MOUTH, is based on the true-life experiences of a fellow teacher who fled Viet Nam as an adolescent to cross the South China Sea in the hold of a fishing boat. It is forthcoming in 2015 from FLUX publisher.
A graduate of Northwestern University, Joyce also holds an M. A. from DePaul University in English, and a reading specialist degree from National Louis University. She is represented by The Purcell Agency, LLC.
She and her husband reside in a suburb of Chicago with their dog, Charcoal. When she isn’t writing, she tutors at-risk children in reading, babysits for her grandchildren, and sneaks away several times a year to travel the world.
Zeiss' first novel, OUT OF THE DRAGON'S MOUTH, is based on the true-life experiences of a fellow teacher who fled Viet Nam as an adolescent to cross the South China Sea in the hold of a fishing boat. It is forthcoming in 2015 from FLUX publisher.
A graduate of Northwestern University, Joyce also holds an M. A. from DePaul University in English, and a reading specialist degree from National Louis University. She is represented by The Purcell Agency, LLC.
She and her husband reside in a suburb of Chicago with their dog, Charcoal. When she isn’t writing, she tutors at-risk children in reading, babysits for her grandchildren, and sneaks away several times a year to travel the world.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 24, 2015
Vivid and hard to put down and I cared so much about these characters.
April 23, 2020
The story follows a young girl as she flees her country, together with her uncle and attempts to find refuge elsewhere. No punches are pulled in her incredible journey and reading this is sure to give readers an insight into what it is like to leave behind everything you know as well as the kindnesses and cruelties many refugees face along the way.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
April 1, 2015
Out of the Dragon's Mouth is a moving, important story. In all my years of reading young adult titles, I don't think I've read anything quite like it. I keep wanting to compare it to Island of the Blue Dolphins because it's about a girl who must fend for herself—on an island—without the support of her family. But in Out of the Dragon's Mouth, it's the 1970s, not the 1800s, and our heroine is a Vietnamese refugee. For most of the book, she is stuck on an island off the coast of Malaysia, waiting for her name to be called on the loudspeaker. One day, she hopes, it will be her turn to travel to her new home in the United States.
Mai is forced to grow up quickly, mostly on her own. She is confronted with betrayal, loss, ghosts, loneliness, and deprivation. While she sometimes gets overwhelmed and depressed by her circumstances, the book itself isn’t grim and hopeless. Even in this bare-bones refugee camp, there is joy to be found. Her friendship/budding romance with Kien is endearing, but I was especially affected by the way her relationship with Lan developed.
Favorite passage:
Mai is forced to grow up quickly, mostly on her own. She is confronted with betrayal, loss, ghosts, loneliness, and deprivation. While she sometimes gets overwhelmed and depressed by her circumstances, the book itself isn’t grim and hopeless. Even in this bare-bones refugee camp, there is joy to be found. Her friendship/budding romance with Kien is endearing, but I was especially affected by the way her relationship with Lan developed.
Favorite passage:
Kien sprinted to catch up with her. They crossed the beach by the pier, the wind blowing in their faces. Their open mouths gulped in the sea air. Their feet, dodging debris scattered on the beach by the storm, made deep prints in the wet sand. Mai felt like the kite she’d flown with Hiep, the wind ready to pick her up and blow her into the sky until she became only a small insignificant speck on the horizon.
January 7, 2016
I received this free from the publishers via NetGalley
Mia and her family live in Vietnam. She is from a life of privilege and is soon forced from that life when her parents help her to attempt to flee to America. She crosses the South China Sea and arrives at a refugee camp on an island near Malaysia. There she waits anxiously for her name to be called and sponsored by her Uncle so she can make her way to America.
I was really excited for this because the premise seemed really interesting and a part of history we rarely see in Young Adult fiction. However, I was sadly disappointing.
I felt as though the writing was very juvenile and I don't think that helped with the development of the character, Mia. I felt as though the dialogue was really forced and stunted and I could never really feel the emotion of any of the characters. The writing seemed to tell us how the characters were feeling, but never really showed it so when Mia was upset I never really felt like she was actually upset.
I felt like all the characters were really two dimensional and did not have any depth or development to them. This really took my enjoyment from the story because I was really expecting something more. I felt like the plot was dull and boring and I don't believe the historical setting was done very well because I just did not get a sense of the time.
Overall, a poor historical fiction which had plenty of promise but was executed poorly.
Mia and her family live in Vietnam. She is from a life of privilege and is soon forced from that life when her parents help her to attempt to flee to America. She crosses the South China Sea and arrives at a refugee camp on an island near Malaysia. There she waits anxiously for her name to be called and sponsored by her Uncle so she can make her way to America.
I was really excited for this because the premise seemed really interesting and a part of history we rarely see in Young Adult fiction. However, I was sadly disappointing.
I felt as though the writing was very juvenile and I don't think that helped with the development of the character, Mia. I felt as though the dialogue was really forced and stunted and I could never really feel the emotion of any of the characters. The writing seemed to tell us how the characters were feeling, but never really showed it so when Mia was upset I never really felt like she was actually upset.
I felt like all the characters were really two dimensional and did not have any depth or development to them. This really took my enjoyment from the story because I was really expecting something more. I felt like the plot was dull and boring and I don't believe the historical setting was done very well because I just did not get a sense of the time.
Overall, a poor historical fiction which had plenty of promise but was executed poorly.
September 4, 2021
Bought this book by a local author at a local bookstore 6 years ago, and finally read it!
The subject matter that of a Vietnamese girl escaping after the fall to the communist government in the 1970’s, and her time waiting on an island of refugees for her turn to come to America, is a new, fresh perspective that I have never read before. I love that this is a YA novel because I think it’s so important for the youth to have exposure to alternate experiences and realities than their own.
The book has some extremely beautiful and descriptive sections especially those detailing the island, I could picture it so clearly. However the dialogue and inner monologue of the main character felt young and flat, like it was aiming to a much younger audience than 13-17 year olds. However, this was definitely YA material as it dealt with puberty, rape, and cannibalism, not in a super graphic way but with enough detail that it doesn’t feel appropriate to me for younger than that. This being the author’s first and only book, I’m sure with more experience her writing will continue to improve.
The subject matter that of a Vietnamese girl escaping after the fall to the communist government in the 1970’s, and her time waiting on an island of refugees for her turn to come to America, is a new, fresh perspective that I have never read before. I love that this is a YA novel because I think it’s so important for the youth to have exposure to alternate experiences and realities than their own.
The book has some extremely beautiful and descriptive sections especially those detailing the island, I could picture it so clearly. However the dialogue and inner monologue of the main character felt young and flat, like it was aiming to a much younger audience than 13-17 year olds. However, this was definitely YA material as it dealt with puberty, rape, and cannibalism, not in a super graphic way but with enough detail that it doesn’t feel appropriate to me for younger than that. This being the author’s first and only book, I’m sure with more experience her writing will continue to improve.
August 13, 2015
Books like this are the ones I live for. It's written to make people think about worlds that are not their own. Too often, I personally get trapped in this bubble, forgetting that bad things are happening around me and that there are people suffering and I'm not doing anything; it's not a novel that will make you feel horrible about your first world life though. It broadened my view on one thing I've never done: immigration. It's an experience I will never truly feel to the extent of Mai but the author has written it in a way that I can learn from the character's own experiences.
The book is about a 14 year old girl named Mia who leaves communist Vietnam in hopes of a better life. Her parents only have enough to send out one child, and through an odd set of events, she is the one chosen. Fortunately she does not have to do this alone for her uncle is there with her. Instead of going where they intended, their story hits a bump as their boat stalls and they are forced to live on a refugee island until their passage for America is paid. Through the eyes of a growing girl, the reality behind this time is revealed.
Once I finished the book, it was all I could think about for a long period of time.
That's the sign of a good book,
And I give it 5 stars.
The book is about a 14 year old girl named Mia who leaves communist Vietnam in hopes of a better life. Her parents only have enough to send out one child, and through an odd set of events, she is the one chosen. Fortunately she does not have to do this alone for her uncle is there with her. Instead of going where they intended, their story hits a bump as their boat stalls and they are forced to live on a refugee island until their passage for America is paid. Through the eyes of a growing girl, the reality behind this time is revealed.
Once I finished the book, it was all I could think about for a long period of time.
That's the sign of a good book,
And I give it 5 stars.
April 7, 2020
If you ever get your hands on this book, let me tell you… you’re in for a heart wrenching, soul ripping short historical fiction story based on the Vietnamese boat people who fled Vietnam at the end of their war in 1975. I may have started with good words, but there may have been more than a few disappointing aspects of the book. Out of the Dragon’s Mouth by Joyce Burns Zeiss had me when I read the back cover and as a reader who’s inclined to pick up a historically based book, this was satisfactory.
For starters, I enjoyed the story’s background, it was placed into context nicely by the author. She used descriptive like figurative language to set the scene in both Vietnam and Thailand. The author did well picking out and fully describing the small yet impactful moments of a refugee’s life from standing in line at the food stall to being cramped up in the base of a boat. She clearly describes her surroundings from the smell of the sea to the braids on the people’s hair. The abundance of details varies not only from the ways of refugee camp life but also to the luscious beauty of the Thailand island that she is on. Her use of imagery was almost like you could follow and see whatever the author was describing and what the characters were looking at.
Another thing I liked about the premise and where the book was going seemed enlightening to the privileged modern audience. In this day and age where people live in such a technology-based first world country, it really shows you the struggle of people in a third world country at an awfully rocky time like that. It makes the audience feel grateful and lucky for what they had because sometimes the safety that we have now is often taken for granted. The author made sure to let the audience know this by creating a plot that really attacks one’s feelings.
Yet, an aspect where the book fails to impress me is even though the idea of this book was compelling the author seems to overwhelm the reader with details about what’s going around. The overabundance of details and imagery seem to hinder the emotional feelings of the main character. It’s as if the focus was put too much on the plot and the use of exorbitant detail that the audience was unable to experience or at least tell what the character’s thoughts were.
Another issue was that there were a lot of cultural references, which usually is good and appreciated as it should teach the readers something new. The problem was that they weren’t explained. Since the author had been a refugee herself, there were times where cultural references went unexplained which lead to confusion. The audience would probably be very confused as to what such language means and it was a bit hard to follow. It would’ve been helpful to maybe include footnotes. This would’ve further developed a better understanding of the book.
The next problem which the book presented is that it wasn’t very descriptive with the characters themselves, by that I mean the characters don’t have identifiable or unique traits. There isn’t much attention to the inner emotions of the main character much less the other nonessential characters, yet it would’ve been a nice touch to see more of the other people in the story. I wasn’t really getting the tone of each character. Since it was written in the first-person narrative, it would’ve been nice to at least get the views and personal feelings of the main character. The thoughts and personal emotions of main and supporting characters would’ve been better to see more of as it would deepen what it actually means to be a refugee. The readers are unable to receive the tone and experience a mood due to this which just is not engaging.
The last thing I found to be a let down was how anticlimactic. Although the book is based on true events of the character’s life, it’s still a fictional young adult novel which means a full plot is needed. The exposition of events did not build up to anything intense and left me feeling unsatisfied. It’s necessary to put in something eye-catching as the climax but through the end of the book I ended up searching for something that never really came. It was unclear and anticlimactic.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a melancholy story of a young girl’s journey. This usually isn’t a common topic to write about especially as a young adult novel. So if you liked All The Light We Cannot See then you would love this book.
For starters, I enjoyed the story’s background, it was placed into context nicely by the author. She used descriptive like figurative language to set the scene in both Vietnam and Thailand. The author did well picking out and fully describing the small yet impactful moments of a refugee’s life from standing in line at the food stall to being cramped up in the base of a boat. She clearly describes her surroundings from the smell of the sea to the braids on the people’s hair. The abundance of details varies not only from the ways of refugee camp life but also to the luscious beauty of the Thailand island that she is on. Her use of imagery was almost like you could follow and see whatever the author was describing and what the characters were looking at.
Another thing I liked about the premise and where the book was going seemed enlightening to the privileged modern audience. In this day and age where people live in such a technology-based first world country, it really shows you the struggle of people in a third world country at an awfully rocky time like that. It makes the audience feel grateful and lucky for what they had because sometimes the safety that we have now is often taken for granted. The author made sure to let the audience know this by creating a plot that really attacks one’s feelings.
Yet, an aspect where the book fails to impress me is even though the idea of this book was compelling the author seems to overwhelm the reader with details about what’s going around. The overabundance of details and imagery seem to hinder the emotional feelings of the main character. It’s as if the focus was put too much on the plot and the use of exorbitant detail that the audience was unable to experience or at least tell what the character’s thoughts were.
Another issue was that there were a lot of cultural references, which usually is good and appreciated as it should teach the readers something new. The problem was that they weren’t explained. Since the author had been a refugee herself, there were times where cultural references went unexplained which lead to confusion. The audience would probably be very confused as to what such language means and it was a bit hard to follow. It would’ve been helpful to maybe include footnotes. This would’ve further developed a better understanding of the book.
The next problem which the book presented is that it wasn’t very descriptive with the characters themselves, by that I mean the characters don’t have identifiable or unique traits. There isn’t much attention to the inner emotions of the main character much less the other nonessential characters, yet it would’ve been a nice touch to see more of the other people in the story. I wasn’t really getting the tone of each character. Since it was written in the first-person narrative, it would’ve been nice to at least get the views and personal feelings of the main character. The thoughts and personal emotions of main and supporting characters would’ve been better to see more of as it would deepen what it actually means to be a refugee. The readers are unable to receive the tone and experience a mood due to this which just is not engaging.
The last thing I found to be a let down was how anticlimactic. Although the book is based on true events of the character’s life, it’s still a fictional young adult novel which means a full plot is needed. The exposition of events did not build up to anything intense and left me feeling unsatisfied. It’s necessary to put in something eye-catching as the climax but through the end of the book I ended up searching for something that never really came. It was unclear and anticlimactic.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a melancholy story of a young girl’s journey. This usually isn’t a common topic to write about especially as a young adult novel. So if you liked All The Light We Cannot See then you would love this book.
November 19, 2023
"Out of the Dragon Mouth" by Joyce Burns Zeiss skillfully portrays the tumultuous journey of a 14-year-old Vietnamese girl named Mai, who is of Chinese heritage, navigates the challenges of survival amidst the Viet Cong regime. The novel takes readers on a compelling exploration of Mai's life as she is forced to leave her family behind in the pursuit of safety.
Guided by her father and mother's arrangements, Mai embarks on a perilous journey with her uncle Hiep. However, fate takes an unexpected turn for this affluent young girl, as she finds herself thrust into the harsh reality of a refugee camp in Malaysia. Here, she faces the harsh realities of limited resources and encounters unscrupulous individuals who prey upon the vulnerable. Soldiers, once seen as protectors, become a source of fear and uncertainty.
Throughout the novel, Zeiss skillfully captures the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies Mai's transformation from a sheltered girl to a resilient survivor. The author effectively conveys the stark contrast between Mai's privileged past and her current circumstances, highlighting the profound impact of displacement and the loss of security.
Against all odds, Mai's uncle in America becomes a beacon of hope, working tirelessly to navigate the bureaucratic maze of immigration to sponsor her. This aspect of the story not only emphasizes the power of familial bonds but also sheds light on the struggles faced by refugees seeking a new beginning.
"Out of the Dragon Mouth" is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that immerses readers in the harrowing experiences of a young girl grappling with the hardships of war and displacement. Zeiss's vivid descriptions and compelling storytelling invite readers to empathize with Mai's journey, evoking a range of emotions from sorrow to hope.
Guided by her father and mother's arrangements, Mai embarks on a perilous journey with her uncle Hiep. However, fate takes an unexpected turn for this affluent young girl, as she finds herself thrust into the harsh reality of a refugee camp in Malaysia. Here, she faces the harsh realities of limited resources and encounters unscrupulous individuals who prey upon the vulnerable. Soldiers, once seen as protectors, become a source of fear and uncertainty.
Throughout the novel, Zeiss skillfully captures the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies Mai's transformation from a sheltered girl to a resilient survivor. The author effectively conveys the stark contrast between Mai's privileged past and her current circumstances, highlighting the profound impact of displacement and the loss of security.
Against all odds, Mai's uncle in America becomes a beacon of hope, working tirelessly to navigate the bureaucratic maze of immigration to sponsor her. This aspect of the story not only emphasizes the power of familial bonds but also sheds light on the struggles faced by refugees seeking a new beginning.
"Out of the Dragon Mouth" is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that immerses readers in the harrowing experiences of a young girl grappling with the hardships of war and displacement. Zeiss's vivid descriptions and compelling storytelling invite readers to empathize with Mai's journey, evoking a range of emotions from sorrow to hope.
January 16, 2022
From the striking cover to the last page of this book, the reader discovers a world and time period one hopes to avoid. We immediately experience a young Vietnamese refugee’s struggle to survive the Viet Cong’s takeover, following the fall of South Vietnam. At the end of a harrowing, overpacked fishing boat crossing of the South China Sea. fourteen-year-old Mai finds herself stuck in a refugee camp on an island off the coast of Malaysia. She faces betrayal, depression, deprivation, and ghosts. A couple of new friendships help steady the deceit of a relative as she wades through the cruelties in her quest. The poetic descriptions throughout the book make the setting come to life, and the author provides beautifully vivid images for us to feel we are right there, going through Mai’s challenges with her. Based on the true-life experiences of the author’s teacher friend, this novel will definitely serve YA to Adult readers by addressing some very tough subjects along with revealing this horrific time period’s history through its characters. The wonderful story is told in a stark manner, which serves to heighten the tone of desperation, where only raw hope and resourcefulness can serve the young woman as she plows through both her daily mundane emptiness and the tragic threats—two constants in the lives of all refugees. Unfortunately, timeless. Be sure to add this to your must-reads.
November 21, 2021
Read a long time ago.
The Vietnam War has ended, and Mai's family sends her to America. On a boat to a refugee camp near Malaysia, she meets her uncle Hiep, who helps her protect herself from soldiers looking for bribes and worse. At the camp, she meets a distant relative, Small Auntie, who seems helpful at first, but demands payment for everything. When Small Auntie's husband is killed in a collapsed well, she blames Mai and Hiep. They are forced to move to another part of the island where Hiep becomes deathly ill. I liked that Mai was imperfect. She is insecure and looks to others to make things better for her. She is afraid for her future, misses her family, and doesn’t know how to handle Small Auntie's anger. Her friendship with Hiep and others helps her to grow up and become more self-reliant.
The Vietnam War has ended, and Mai's family sends her to America. On a boat to a refugee camp near Malaysia, she meets her uncle Hiep, who helps her protect herself from soldiers looking for bribes and worse. At the camp, she meets a distant relative, Small Auntie, who seems helpful at first, but demands payment for everything. When Small Auntie's husband is killed in a collapsed well, she blames Mai and Hiep. They are forced to move to another part of the island where Hiep becomes deathly ill. I liked that Mai was imperfect. She is insecure and looks to others to make things better for her. She is afraid for her future, misses her family, and doesn’t know how to handle Small Auntie's anger. Her friendship with Hiep and others helps her to grow up and become more self-reliant.
March 15, 2018
This story of a young Vietnamese girl’s flight from her parents and homeland to a refugee camp during the era of Boat People is told with such insight by Zeiss that it’s impossible to look at the news covering the refugees of our times, in Syria, in many places in Africa, with the Rohingya, and not to feel the depth of cost to each life. Zeiss has a real gift for illuminating the experience, both the external, physical experience, and the interior emotional experience, of Mai, so that we are with this young, frightened, and resourceful girl at every step of her journey. Zeiss writes beautifully of places and situations most of us will never face. A must-read book for our times.
February 24, 2015
Out of the Dragon's Mouth is pitched as a realistic portrayal of a Vietnamese refugee. For that reason, I was a bit surprised that so much of the story focuses on paranormal activity. That was when I officially realized this story and I would probably not get along.
I LOVE Historical Fiction; the ones that can make history seem exciting but do it in a way that still it realistic to the time period. This book does neither of those things. It is boring. And the ghost took up the whole story. Seriously. This did not bring this time period to life for me at all; what it did bring to life was a dead man who was mad at Hiep and Mai for no real good reason that I could think of.
The book NEVER gave as a good reason as to why the ghost hated Hiep and Mai so much. The halfhearted reason Mai gave didn't even much sense, and even she admits that.
The other parts of the plot, as I said before, were just dull. They made up for such a fraction of the actual story and it about as good as bringing history to life as the Wikipedia page for Vietnamese immigration camps.
The dialogue was overly simple. It was like I was reading a early readers chapter book. The narration was only slightly better; I don't know why the book made it so juvenile, because it made for lackluster reading; the emotions of Mai and others did not come across well.
The other characters? Very two dimensional. I learned very little about them. Apparently they were Mai's dear friends, but it was never really stated why she liked them so much, and I couldn't ever figure it out because I knew so little about them.
Instead of emotions being described, the book just told the reader what the characters felt. 'She was upset', 'he was happy,'...things like that. I want to know their exact emotions, not just a sentence telling me a basic feeling.
I wish I could recommend this, but I can't. The story that this book tries to tell is so important; it just doesn't do a great job of telling it.
I LOVE Historical Fiction; the ones that can make history seem exciting but do it in a way that still it realistic to the time period. This book does neither of those things. It is boring. And the ghost took up the whole story. Seriously. This did not bring this time period to life for me at all; what it did bring to life was a dead man who was mad at Hiep and Mai for no real good reason that I could think of.
The book NEVER gave as a good reason as to why the ghost hated Hiep and Mai so much. The halfhearted reason Mai gave didn't even much sense, and even she admits that.
The other parts of the plot, as I said before, were just dull. They made up for such a fraction of the actual story and it about as good as bringing history to life as the Wikipedia page for Vietnamese immigration camps.
The dialogue was overly simple. It was like I was reading a early readers chapter book. The narration was only slightly better; I don't know why the book made it so juvenile, because it made for lackluster reading; the emotions of Mai and others did not come across well.
The other characters? Very two dimensional. I learned very little about them. Apparently they were Mai's dear friends, but it was never really stated why she liked them so much, and I couldn't ever figure it out because I knew so little about them.
Instead of emotions being described, the book just told the reader what the characters felt. 'She was upset', 'he was happy,'...things like that. I want to know their exact emotions, not just a sentence telling me a basic feeling.
I wish I could recommend this, but I can't. The story that this book tries to tell is so important; it just doesn't do a great job of telling it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2015
The Viet Cong stripped away Mai’s family’s wealth when Vietnam fell and American troops left the country. Fourteen year old Mai and her sixteen year old uncle, Hiep, have been given the opportunity to leave Vietnam and make their way toward America. The two travel on a packed fishing boat to a refugee camp on an island off the coast of mainland Malaysia. The novel depicts a simplistic yet jarring story of a year spent waiting for the chance to immigrant to the United States.
This story is the author’s first novel and is based on the true-life experiences of a teacher who fled Vietnam during her adolescent years. Zeiss writes with a believable tone depicting a young woman on a frightening journey. Mai deals with greedy distant family members, poor living conditions, and her body’s maturity from girl to woman, all the while waiting anxiously for her chance at a new life in America. This book deals with a not often talked about time in history and would be a welcome addition to historical fiction collections.
Thank you to Net Galley and Flux books for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is the author’s first novel and is based on the true-life experiences of a teacher who fled Vietnam during her adolescent years. Zeiss writes with a believable tone depicting a young woman on a frightening journey. Mai deals with greedy distant family members, poor living conditions, and her body’s maturity from girl to woman, all the while waiting anxiously for her chance at a new life in America. This book deals with a not often talked about time in history and would be a welcome addition to historical fiction collections.
Thank you to Net Galley and Flux books for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2014
Out of the Dragon’s Mouth is a poignant story of escaping from the fall of South Vietnam and then life in a refuge camp. Mai was a child who had been protected and indulged. Her ancestry was Chinese, but her family had lived in Vietnam. She was selected by her family to escape with her uncle. The family’s life was altered dramatically when the Communistic Viet Cong overtook South Vietnam.
Mai is jammed into a fishing trawler with very few possessions. Together with her uncle they are forced to survive in a refuge camp where daily life consists of waiting in lines for food, for water, and for information. The horrors of the limited resources, the betrayal of the family and the constant strain of a new life are brilliantly portrayed in Out of the Dragon’s Mouth. Mai’s life as an indulged daughter does not prepare her for the camp.
This young adult novel is going to be an eye-opening read for many young people. The struggles of survival are going to be so out of their understanding. Out of the Dragon’s Mouth is a must read.
Mai is jammed into a fishing trawler with very few possessions. Together with her uncle they are forced to survive in a refuge camp where daily life consists of waiting in lines for food, for water, and for information. The horrors of the limited resources, the betrayal of the family and the constant strain of a new life are brilliantly portrayed in Out of the Dragon’s Mouth. Mai’s life as an indulged daughter does not prepare her for the camp.
This young adult novel is going to be an eye-opening read for many young people. The struggles of survival are going to be so out of their understanding. Out of the Dragon’s Mouth is a must read.
May 30, 2016
Out of the Dragon’s Mouth has an okay main character, but sadly that was the only good thing about this book. On the whole, the book seemed to drag on and on, with little description, and too much dialogue. Lots of dialogue usually makes for a good story, but in Out of the Dragon’s Mouth, the author choose to write the dialogue as if it went through Google Translate, which confuses the reader. That combined with virtually no descriptions, and the reader becomes detached from the story, and everything seems to happen for no reason. Also, the blurb (which is inaccurate), suggested that the story would focus on the main character’s experience as a refugee, but instead he book focused on unnecessary plot twists, such as ghosts coming to haunt them. This is not a book about refugees trying to survive, it is about a girl whose uncle dies because there is a ghost who seeks vengeance. I would recommend this book to those who are just looking for a quick read, and are interested in ghost stories.
April 25, 2016
Historically set story about 14 year old Mia, a young Vietnamese refugee. Raised in a wealthy family, Mia is naive of the world's workings. When the Americans leave South Viet Nam and the Viet Cong take Saigon, Mia's family is left destitute. Her father arranges to send her to America to live her her aunt and uncle in Chicago. With only three sets of clothes and two gold bracelets, Mia is stowed away on a fishing boat with her 19 year old uncle set for freedom. But the boat leaves them on an island off the shore of Malaysia where they have to survive until their papers are approved for travel. There is very little to eat and they live in tents made of rice bags. She meets an aunt who is not as kind as she first appears, an uncle who haunts her, and girls who become her new family. Tragedy strikes repeatedly before Mia makes her way to America. An easy book for young people to read, based on the real life experiences of a friend of the author.
December 4, 2014
There is a beautiful simplicity about this novel, which tells of a young girl’s struggle to survive after she flees Vietnam. She was a privileged child, stripped of her family and wealth and plunged into suffering. It chronicles both the horrific and mundane aspects of her life in the island refugee camp as she waits to be saved by overseas relatives. And it is all narrated in a stark, unemotional tone. Perhaps it is this frank description that sets this novel apart; there is no embellishment, no frantic play to sway the readers’ emotions. Some people live, others die. Some fates remain a mystery. There is no sense of fairness, and no great underlying destiny that proves trustworthy. All there is for this girl is hope – a desperate, clawing hope for survival.
More reviews at A Story Addict
More reviews at A Story Addict
February 1, 2015
Not my usual book choice, but I really loved this one. I love being surprised by a good book and this one was it for me. The book has a wonderfully strong female character who is incredibly endearing. A great heroine for young girls, who struggles for survival after her wealth is stripped from her and her family and she has to escape the fall of Vietnam. Beautiful, simple and above all well told.
January 17, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It a unique view into what it is like to be a refuge from Vietnam. The characters are very easy to like and the storyline is believable. I found myself swept into the story and hope to read more like this one.
February 6, 2015
This is a story that deserves to be heard, but unfortunately it is not told particularly well. But I am glad Ms Zeiss put it out there and maybe more stories of the refugee experience in Vietnam will follow.
April 21, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and got a very good sense of what life was like at that time. I hope there will be a continuation as I would love to see how things turned out for the various characters.
January 16, 2015
A very simple story but told so well. Achingly familiar, it's still hard to comprehend what it must be kind for refugees then & now.
July 1, 2015
It was a good story, just I could not figure out what the climax was, it was just a steady book...
November 12, 2015
Good story about a young girl who escapes from Vietnam and is trying to reach her uncle in America.
February 29, 2016
3.5 stars. This book was an interesting, sad and eye-opening book. It was an introduction to the cultural beliefs and superstitions that governs their behaviors and their decisions.
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