What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chance: The true story of one girl's journey to freedom
"We did not risk death to come to the United States. There were no guarantees of anything. There were no promises. We risked death for a CHANCE." – Hung Quan, Muoi's brother.Finalist for the Oklahoma Book Awards in 2022 and the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in 2023, The Chance tells the story of Muoi Quan. At age nine, she watches in horror as Saigon falls to the Communists. A year later, the military invades her home and destroys her family's business. At age eleven, an escape attempt to China ends in Hanoi at the end of a rifle. When her older brother has the chance to leave Vietnam by boat in 1979, Muoi reluctantly goes to see him off. She is standing at the riverside when a twist of fate pushes her forward, onto the boat, taking the place of a stranger who did not show up. The story that follows is one of storms, pirates, abandonment, and perseverance of the human spirit.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2021
10 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 10, 2021
Well Told
The more I read the harder it was to put this book down. This book pulled me in to another culture and way of life so gently I hardly noticed. And then I was taken in a ride stranger than fiction facing the dangers of refugees fleeing by boat. Dropped into a new world so alien, one comes away with a better understanding of the unbelievable challenge facing refugees as they work so hard to acclimate. Well told!
The more I read the harder it was to put this book down. This book pulled me in to another culture and way of life so gently I hardly noticed. And then I was taken in a ride stranger than fiction facing the dangers of refugees fleeing by boat. Dropped into a new world so alien, one comes away with a better understanding of the unbelievable challenge facing refugees as they work so hard to acclimate. Well told!
March 19, 2026
The Chance: The True Story of One Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Bruce M. Baker and Lisa Cheng is a gripping and emotionally powerful memoir that captures the raw realities of war, displacement, and the unyielding human desire for freedom.
The narrative begins in Vietnam during one of its most turbulent periods, immediately placing readers in the chaos and fear surrounding the fall of Saigon. Through the eyes of Muoi Quan, the story unfolds with heartbreaking clarity from witnessing the destruction of her family’s livelihood to enduring the constant threat of political oppression. These early chapters are deeply immersive, grounding the reader in both historical context and personal trauma.
What makes The Chance especially compelling is the sequence of life-altering moments that shape Muoi’s journey. The failed escape attempt, the looming presence of military authority, and the unpredictability of survival all build toward the pivotal moment at the riverside where a single twist of fate propels her onto a boat bound for uncertainty. This moment encapsulates the essence of the memoir: that survival often hinges not on certainty, but on courage and chance.
The journey that follows is harrowing. Encounters with storms, pirates, and abandonment are portrayed with stark realism, yet the narrative never loses sight of its emotional core. Beneath the danger and hardship lies a profound exploration of resilience, family bonds, and the psychological toll of displacement.
Beyond its gripping storytelling, the memoir carries a deeper message about sacrifice and the immigrant experience. It reframes the idea of “opportunity,” emphasizing that for many, reaching a place like the United States is not the fulfillment of a promise but simply the possibility of one.
At 324 pages, The Chance is both intense and deeply moving, resonating with readers interested in historical memoirs, refugee narratives, and stories of survival against overwhelming odds.
The narrative begins in Vietnam during one of its most turbulent periods, immediately placing readers in the chaos and fear surrounding the fall of Saigon. Through the eyes of Muoi Quan, the story unfolds with heartbreaking clarity from witnessing the destruction of her family’s livelihood to enduring the constant threat of political oppression. These early chapters are deeply immersive, grounding the reader in both historical context and personal trauma.
What makes The Chance especially compelling is the sequence of life-altering moments that shape Muoi’s journey. The failed escape attempt, the looming presence of military authority, and the unpredictability of survival all build toward the pivotal moment at the riverside where a single twist of fate propels her onto a boat bound for uncertainty. This moment encapsulates the essence of the memoir: that survival often hinges not on certainty, but on courage and chance.
The journey that follows is harrowing. Encounters with storms, pirates, and abandonment are portrayed with stark realism, yet the narrative never loses sight of its emotional core. Beneath the danger and hardship lies a profound exploration of resilience, family bonds, and the psychological toll of displacement.
Beyond its gripping storytelling, the memoir carries a deeper message about sacrifice and the immigrant experience. It reframes the idea of “opportunity,” emphasizing that for many, reaching a place like the United States is not the fulfillment of a promise but simply the possibility of one.
At 324 pages, The Chance is both intense and deeply moving, resonating with readers interested in historical memoirs, refugee narratives, and stories of survival against overwhelming odds.
September 11, 2024
Amazing story,
September 23, 2025
Beautiful story, thank you for sharing your life with me. I have been to Pho3Nine because of this book. You are someone to look up to.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews