What do you think?
Rate this book
Snow in Seattle: A Novel
Freedom comes with high risks and disillusioned dreams. "Snow in Seattle" is the second book in the Snow trilogy and is the sequel to Amy M. Le's debut, historical fiction novel, "Snow in Vietnam". After escaping Vietnam with her daughter and nephew, Snow finds herself living in the refugee camps of Galang and Singapore. When she receives news of sponsorship to America, Snow's dream of starting a new life of freedom in Seattle comes true.
Life in the United States, however, is nothing like the grandeur she imagined. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and lack of resources are just a few challenges. Snow continues to push herself to the limit emotionally, physically, and mentally, to keep her family together and adapt to her new surroundings. She immerses herself in American society and the community around her. Along the way, she discovers not everyone is welcoming of the Vietnamese refugees and the soldiers she met in Vietnam have their own demons to face in a country that treats them as burdens, not heroes.
Snow's quest to make Seattle her new home will test her grit and tenacity, her patience and love, and her willingness to forgive. This story is dedicated to the refugees and veterans of war. The novel won honorable mention in the 2020 Oklahoma Writers Federation literary contest.
PRAISE FOR SNOW IN SEATTLE:
"I highly recommend this book for those that want to learn more about refugees coming to this country and veterans returning home. Amy has touched on a subject that has been kept quiet for far too long."
-Charles Peters, Vietnam War Veteran
"What I especially enjoyed about Le's two novels is her literary mastery of real life. As you read the book's dialogue it's as if you're actually hearing the words with your ears instead of reading them with your eyes. That is a true gift. Too often, even today, when people say the word "Vietnam," they are referring to the Vietnam War. Le's novels, based on her family's true story, help American readers see that Vietnam is a country, not a war-and one that many of its people felt forced to flee. It's the amazing strength of those people that Le illustrates so well in these novels."
-Bill McCloud, Vietnam Veterans of America
"Author Amy M Le writes another brilliant book relating to the continuing saga of Snow, Dolly, and Tree as they arrive in a new land, new culture, and more importantly a new beginning. The books will give you more of an appreciation of the freedoms many of us at times take for granted."
-Greg Simpson, Vietnam War Veteran
Life in the United States, however, is nothing like the grandeur she imagined. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and lack of resources are just a few challenges. Snow continues to push herself to the limit emotionally, physically, and mentally, to keep her family together and adapt to her new surroundings. She immerses herself in American society and the community around her. Along the way, she discovers not everyone is welcoming of the Vietnamese refugees and the soldiers she met in Vietnam have their own demons to face in a country that treats them as burdens, not heroes.
Snow's quest to make Seattle her new home will test her grit and tenacity, her patience and love, and her willingness to forgive. This story is dedicated to the refugees and veterans of war. The novel won honorable mention in the 2020 Oklahoma Writers Federation literary contest.
PRAISE FOR SNOW IN SEATTLE:
"I highly recommend this book for those that want to learn more about refugees coming to this country and veterans returning home. Amy has touched on a subject that has been kept quiet for far too long."
-Charles Peters, Vietnam War Veteran
"What I especially enjoyed about Le's two novels is her literary mastery of real life. As you read the book's dialogue it's as if you're actually hearing the words with your ears instead of reading them with your eyes. That is a true gift. Too often, even today, when people say the word "Vietnam," they are referring to the Vietnam War. Le's novels, based on her family's true story, help American readers see that Vietnam is a country, not a war-and one that many of its people felt forced to flee. It's the amazing strength of those people that Le illustrates so well in these novels."
-Bill McCloud, Vietnam Veterans of America
"Author Amy M Le writes another brilliant book relating to the continuing saga of Snow, Dolly, and Tree as they arrive in a new land, new culture, and more importantly a new beginning. The books will give you more of an appreciation of the freedoms many of us at times take for granted."
-Greg Simpson, Vietnam War Veteran
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2020
About the author
Amy M. Le
11 books29 followersAmy M. Le is the award-winning author of the Snow trilogy: Snow in Vietnam, Snow in Seattle, and Snow’s Kitchen. She is a Vietnam War survivor and Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) warrior. Amy was born in Vietnam, raised in Seattle and Orange County, and now lives in Oklahoma with her husband, son, and pets.
Amy is the founder of Quill Hawk Publishing and helps authors indie publish their work. She also co-founded The Heart Community Collection, an online cooperative bookstore for the CHD community.
Amy is a member of several organizations including the Asian Author Alliance, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc., Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., Telltale Authors, the Yukon Writers’ Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
For fun, Amy loves to cook, watch NFL, UFC and F-1 events.
Amy is the founder of Quill Hawk Publishing and helps authors indie publish their work. She also co-founded The Heart Community Collection, an online cooperative bookstore for the CHD community.
Amy is a member of several organizations including the Asian Author Alliance, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Oklahoma City Writers, Inc., Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., Telltale Authors, the Yukon Writers’ Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
For fun, Amy loves to cook, watch NFL, UFC and F-1 events.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2020
A continuation of Snow’s incredible journey as she transitions into life in the States. Humorous and emotional like the its predecessor but I did find the writing to be a bit choppy and not as fluid. Some religious excerpts seem out of place and other content such as Sky’s buddy’s poem was exceedingly long. The back half of the book was more interesting and brought it together to a memorable ending. If you liked the first book, you’d easily find yourself engrossed in this one. Thank you Amy for sharing your unforgettable story. It is said in the prologue that it’s fictional and “a product of the author’s imagination” but it reads like it was written from the heart and soul. Your “fictional” mom SNOW should be so proud.
December 23, 2020
After reading the first book in the series “Snow In Vietnam” I couldn’t wait to read this one. It was very informative and eye opening because we rarely hear the stories of what it was like for immigrants from Vietnam coming to America after the war. Amy’s writing is so raw and makes you feel like you knew Snow and her family. I couldn’t put it down! I found myself smiling, crying, and laughing throughout the book. I am only twenty, but still felt a connection and a new understanding for history. I recommend this book and the series 100%!
February 15, 2022
If reading is an emotional rollercoaster, I never want to get off the ride! Thanks to this masterpiece, I never will!
This wonderful and deeply beautiful writer delivers her second novel with the passion, grace and emotion rarely seen by new authors. Amy Le is forever a hero of mime. Her story drives deeply into the soul of the reader through her life, her pain, and her triumphs. While everyone has a story, Amy shared a part of her that others should be so honored to experience through her words. A true must read!!
This wonderful and deeply beautiful writer delivers her second novel with the passion, grace and emotion rarely seen by new authors. Amy Le is forever a hero of mime. Her story drives deeply into the soul of the reader through her life, her pain, and her triumphs. While everyone has a story, Amy shared a part of her that others should be so honored to experience through her words. A true must read!!
August 21, 2020
After fighting to survive in war-torn Vietnam, Snow struggles to rebuild her life in a foreign country as a new immigrant in America. Love and forgiveness are the themes throughout this novel as Snow's friendship with a Vietnam vet strengthens. Together, they forge a pact to let the past go, face their trauma and PTSD head-on, and learn to thrive again.
Snow in Seattle is the sequel to Snow in Vietnam and was published on August 21. The novel won honorable mention in the 2020 Oklahoma Writers Federation literary contest.
Available now on Amazon.
Snow in Seattle is the sequel to Snow in Vietnam and was published on August 21. The novel won honorable mention in the 2020 Oklahoma Writers Federation literary contest.
Available now on Amazon.
April 28, 2022
If Amy M. Le does not have her own brand of tissues, she should think about it. I felt so many emotions reading this second book in Snow trilogy, as I laughed and cried my way through Snow in Seattle. With vivid detail and unfailing humor and empathy, Le takes us along as her mother Snow continues the journey she began as one of the ‘boat people’ who escaped Vietnam with great difficulty after the fall of Saigon. We witness her arrival in the United States with her rebellious nephew and her daughter Dolly, who finally undergoes a successful heart operation after so many years of struggle and hardship. The book is written in first person, allowing Snow to share her many hilarious encounters with English idioms (“picking the short straw,” “a sight for sore eyes,“just to name a few) as she masters the language. Snow, in real life, is the author’s mother, and this book is a beautifully written and heartfelt tribute to a brave, resolute, and loving parent.
A highlight in the book for me is Snow’s reunion and friendship with Skyler, a US soldier she first met in Vietnam, where together they witnessed the death of Sam, the American soldier Snow was engaged to marry. Sky’s episodes of PSTD are heartbreaking and through his attempts to readjust to civilian life we relive the hell that draftees who were sent to Vietnam went through when they returned home to hostility and indifference to the trauma they brought back with them. Sky’s friendship with Snow, and his supportive parents, bring him some healing and readers will root for him all the way.
Since I live in Seattle, I enjoyed all the scenes set in nearby Kent – the picture Le draws of American suburban life, right down to trips to the mall, friendships formed with neighbors, and a hilarious ugly sweater party, is right on the money.
Snow in Seattle is a must read for anyone who wants to see through the eyes of a remarkably resilient and compassionate woman who not only adjusts and eventually succeeds in her new life but also preserves the essence of her Vietnamese way of life while letting go of her painful past. The photographs are the icing on the cake!
Highly recommended!
A highlight in the book for me is Snow’s reunion and friendship with Skyler, a US soldier she first met in Vietnam, where together they witnessed the death of Sam, the American soldier Snow was engaged to marry. Sky’s episodes of PSTD are heartbreaking and through his attempts to readjust to civilian life we relive the hell that draftees who were sent to Vietnam went through when they returned home to hostility and indifference to the trauma they brought back with them. Sky’s friendship with Snow, and his supportive parents, bring him some healing and readers will root for him all the way.
Since I live in Seattle, I enjoyed all the scenes set in nearby Kent – the picture Le draws of American suburban life, right down to trips to the mall, friendships formed with neighbors, and a hilarious ugly sweater party, is right on the money.
Snow in Seattle is a must read for anyone who wants to see through the eyes of a remarkably resilient and compassionate woman who not only adjusts and eventually succeeds in her new life but also preserves the essence of her Vietnamese way of life while letting go of her painful past. The photographs are the icing on the cake!
Highly recommended!
October 15, 2020
Author Amy-M-Le, writes another brilliant book relating to the continuing saga of Snow, Dolly, and Tree as they arrive in a new land,new culture, and more importantly a new beginning. As one can imagine adjusting to a Western culture as opposed to being born and living in a Far Eastern culture, specifically Vietnam the adjustment was difficult. If that wasn’t enough Snows young daughter Dolly has to undergo a serious heart operation. The reader will get a glimpse into the Vietnamese culture, an added plus. Their is so much more to be devoured in this outstanding book and I encourage you fine readers to buy both “ Snow In Vietnam “ and the follow up book “Snow In Seattle”. The books will give you more of an appreciation of the freedoms many of us at times take for granted. Thank you Amy for sharing your family’s heartbreak and redemption in two wonderful books
July 13, 2021
Just read it.
Such a good book. Snow still had so much to over come. I can’t imagine having to over come all she did. What a Amazing person. The Author really draws you into the story. I feel like I know these people. I will really miss reading about Snow and her friends and family.
Such a good book. Snow still had so much to over come. I can’t imagine having to over come all she did. What a Amazing person. The Author really draws you into the story. I feel like I know these people. I will really miss reading about Snow and her friends and family.
July 6, 2021
Heartwarming
Absolutely beautiful, and heartwarming. Loved this book as much as the first one. It was wonderful to read that Snow, and Dolly's lives were good.
Absolutely beautiful, and heartwarming. Loved this book as much as the first one. It was wonderful to read that Snow, and Dolly's lives were good.
January 13, 2022
Excellent read. It was exciting to read this book that covered how Snow and her daughter and nephew
adjusted to their new life in the U.S. An true insight into how many of the Vietnamese immigrant's
quickly adapted to the American way of life. Historical based fiction at its best! Truly enjoyed these books.
adjusted to their new life in the U.S. An true insight into how many of the Vietnamese immigrant's
quickly adapted to the American way of life. Historical based fiction at its best! Truly enjoyed these books.
February 21, 2021
I did NOTHING over the holidays. I fell right back into my college routine of taking full advantage of Christmas break and did not lift a finger—unless that finger was holding a book
*I must amend this as a mom. I did, I repeat, DID keep my child alive during this admittedly slothful season.
I have about 6 reviews I need to catch up on: Amy Le’s “Snow in Seattle” being one of them!
This is book # 2 in her series, and I think I enjoyed it more than her 1st! The cast was trimmed and already established (already an easier job on the author), the plot was a little bit less emotional (somewhat—PTSD definitely is still heart wrenching), and you know how I love me some happy endings
If y’all like history- Read this book!!
If y’all like women’s fiction- Read this book!!
If y’all like immigrants’ stories- Read this book!!
If y’all like a touch of military- Read this book!!
If y’all like melting pot cultures- Read this book!!
To summarize: Read this Book!
*I must amend this as a mom. I did, I repeat, DID keep my child alive during this admittedly slothful season.
I have about 6 reviews I need to catch up on: Amy Le’s “Snow in Seattle” being one of them!
This is book # 2 in her series, and I think I enjoyed it more than her 1st! The cast was trimmed and already established (already an easier job on the author), the plot was a little bit less emotional (somewhat—PTSD definitely is still heart wrenching), and you know how I love me some happy endings
If y’all like history- Read this book!!
If y’all like women’s fiction- Read this book!!
If y’all like immigrants’ stories- Read this book!!
If y’all like a touch of military- Read this book!!
If y’all like melting pot cultures- Read this book!!
To summarize: Read this Book!
June 7, 2021
This book was even better than the first—heart wrenching and emotional! I loved the conversations Snow had with Skyler. The things they said and emotions they named are things that a lot of people don’t say out loud, but should. The characters are great examples of honesty, forgiveness, and true friendship.
October 31, 2021
A beautifully written story and a wonderful follow up to Snow in Vietnam. The characters were flawed yet, for the most part, sympathetic. It was a very authentic story and I felt I was living it along with the people in the book. The emotions and descriptions were well-conveyed. I definitely plan to read more in the series. Just wonderful! And the cover is stunning.
March 31, 2022
Snow in Seattle
This is a page turner.....Characters are great and realistic. There was so much in this book, the will to survive, the need to create a community, and the need to forgive and forget. War is painful.
This is a page turner.....Characters are great and realistic. There was so much in this book, the will to survive, the need to create a community, and the need to forgive and forget. War is painful.
April 23, 2025
Finished for now. I wanted to see what happened at the end of the first book. I only read a few chapters in this one. I may pick it up again some day.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews