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Folklore
Xai and Sia are newlyweds who live on the edge of a village just beyond a haunted forest. When Xai is taken by an unknown sickness, Sia makes plans to see him again on the day of his burial. Their culture and lifestyle are surrounded by lore and superstitions, so when Sia sees an opportunity to rescue her departed husband from death, she follows him into the netherworld in an attempt to bring him back to the world of the living. Sia quickly learns that there's more truth to the stories she grew up with as she embarks on more than one journey to save the man she loves.
201 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 15, 2023
Our library's May book club pick was Folklore by Bao Xiong. Copies were generously donated by Cia Siab Inc.
We were lucky enough to host the author and had an absolutely wonderful morning together! Our readers loved the book, despite it being quite different from what they normally choose. Bao's descriptions are so vivid that several members commented how easy it was to imagine it all playing out like a film. And since Bao has a background in film and screenwriting, that's no surprise.
We loved learning how Bao adapted the original story she heard from her mother into the novel. The crux of the tale of Xai and Sia is there, but she also added in many extra cultural references of other creatures, spirits, clothing, charms, curses, and more! Bao had a reason for everything! And even when she didn't, there was a reason for why not - fascinatingly enough, some stories are so old that they're dialogue was partially told in an ancient Hmong dialect, so Bao and her family no longer know what the words mean. And Bao took great care to translate the story of Xai and Sia from Hmong to English and shared that was one of the biggest challenges she faced when writing as not everything had a same to same translation.
Everything Bao shared about the folklore was so interesting and our book club LOVED having her and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.
We were lucky enough to host the author and had an absolutely wonderful morning together! Our readers loved the book, despite it being quite different from what they normally choose. Bao's descriptions are so vivid that several members commented how easy it was to imagine it all playing out like a film. And since Bao has a background in film and screenwriting, that's no surprise.
We loved learning how Bao adapted the original story she heard from her mother into the novel. The crux of the tale of Xai and Sia is there, but she also added in many extra cultural references of other creatures, spirits, clothing, charms, curses, and more! Bao had a reason for everything! And even when she didn't, there was a reason for why not - fascinatingly enough, some stories are so old that they're dialogue was partially told in an ancient Hmong dialect, so Bao and her family no longer know what the words mean. And Bao took great care to translate the story of Xai and Sia from Hmong to English and shared that was one of the biggest challenges she faced when writing as not everything had a same to same translation.
Everything Bao shared about the folklore was so interesting and our book club LOVED having her and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.
August 30, 2021
Epic, eerie, and engaging!
Folklore is an adaptation of a Hmong legend about a husband and wife, Xai and Sia. The truly creepy start which began back in time hooked me right away! The rest of the story reads like a fable with lessons woven throughout the dialogue. I loved the world building as Sia braves the underworld and deals with the light and dark of it. The author is really great at the scary scenes especially. Beware the Demon Bride!
Folklore celebrates bonds (between sisters and spouses), shares rituals and beliefs of Hmong culture, and definitely entertains! Fair warning, there's a bit of a cliffhanger, so expect more to come!
Folklore is an adaptation of a Hmong legend about a husband and wife, Xai and Sia. The truly creepy start which began back in time hooked me right away! The rest of the story reads like a fable with lessons woven throughout the dialogue. I loved the world building as Sia braves the underworld and deals with the light and dark of it. The author is really great at the scary scenes especially. Beware the Demon Bride!
Folklore celebrates bonds (between sisters and spouses), shares rituals and beliefs of Hmong culture, and definitely entertains! Fair warning, there's a bit of a cliffhanger, so expect more to come!
June 15, 2021
I enjoyed reading the story of Sia and Xai, and the adventures Sia had. The very straightforward writing style seemed like a mix between spoken word and a novel, and because of that I think I would have enjoyed it more as an audiobook. I could easily see this one book being a trilogy instead, if greater detail was added and the scenes were built out more.
December 26, 2023
Loved it!
A little scary at times. But still wonderful!
I look forward to the next book in the saga! ;)
A little scary at times. But still wonderful!
I look forward to the next book in the saga! ;)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews