The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss, and Finding Home

by Christina Vo

The memoir starts in San Francisco in 2019. Single, childless, and motherless, Christina Vo is about to turn 40 when she attends her first ayahuasca ceremony. The result is a transformative road trip through the Southwest that ends up lasting two years—a pilgrimage of sorts for the spiritual-but-not-religious generation.

One of this memoir’s distinctive features is that it doesn’t culminate with the author in a romantic relationship; instead, the book ends with Vo claiming her own spiritual authority. And this is the first memoir, as far as we know, by a Vietnamese-American woman who is defying traditional expectations and illuminating a single Asian woman's experience of spiritual seeking in the New Age landscape.

Genres: Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2023

About the author

Christina Vo is a Santa Fe-based author whose work delves into themes such as loss, intergenerational trauma, healing, identity, and the notions of home and reconciliation. Her second book, My Vietnam, Your Vietnam, is an intergenerational memoir co-written with her father. Christina is also the author of The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss, and Finding Home. With a background in international work, Christina has experience at UNICEF, the World Economic Forum, and various nonprofits. She currently works at Stanford University and holds an MSc from the London School of Economics.

Reviews

[Bianca Vandenbos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss and Finding Home

I recently did a Q&A with Christina Vo who is the author of The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss and Finding Home & My Vietnam Your Vietnam and was excited about reading The Veil Between Two Worlds. In January 2021 mid-pandemic Christina Vo is single and childless and in hear early 40s. Christina goes on a road trip with her friend David in search of home and what happens during this road trip is the beginning of a spiritual journey and a season of growth. During this journey Christina is able to make peace with the painful parts of her past so that she can heal and it won’t affect her present.

Writing & Growth

There is a saying by Virginia Wolf and I’m paraphrasing here : If you read a thousand books, your words will flow like a river. While The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss and Finding Home, is a non-fiction memoir, the words definitely flowed beautifully and I can see everything as Christina was on her journey. Whether you’re religious like I am or more on the spiritual side, I think we can all agree that there was a lot of healing and growth on Christina’s end and I would think many of us could relate to her since we all deal with similar if not the exact same struggles. I can definitely relate because I’m learning to let the past go and forgive people and the circumstances that caused the past so it doesn’t affect my present. It’s also important to find where we fall short and learn from that so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Christina speaks about how she wasn’t close to her father and sister but how she realized in a way she was also at fault too.

Overall



This is definitely something you want to read no matter what season of life you are in. If you enjoy non-fiction, memoirs, and books about letting go and growing as a person, I recommend The Veil Between Two Worlds: A Memoir of Silence, Loss and Finding Home. Thank you Christina Vo for writing the book & sending me a copy and the Q&A. I look forward to reading My Vietnam Your Vietnam and doing a Behind The Book Q&A about that one.

[Alexus Munn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really well written and interesting read.

Some pieces resonated deeply, some pieces did the opposite of that. I think it's definitely worth the read and I have some passages marked to return to later.

[Barbara Terao · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brilliant cover alone made me want to read this book! Learning of the author's convoluted and often difficult upbringing made her victories in life that much more satisfying to read about and celebrate. Sometimes the road back to ourselves is a rocky one.

[Amy M. Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply cerebral and enthralling of a read. I wanted to give the author a hug when all was said and done. Ms Vo writes with introspection and a keen reflection of her spiritual and emotional journey to find home and a sense of self. Five stars.

[Linda Ulleseit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very compelling, very moving story told honestly.

[Marianne Bohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very powerful read. Inspiring.

[Irena Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a poignant, eloquent, stunningly honest meditation on how we hold grief and on family, both biological and chosen.

[Patricia Leavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant, inspiring memoir.

[Susan Wands · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story of family and reinvention, Christina Vo tells a compelling story of how she reconnected with her mother's spirit.

[Corie Adjmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and thought provoking, The Veil Between Two Worlds, is an honest exploration. It’s a book about identity, connections and healing. A wonderful read.

[Janet Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

tHIS WAS A GIANT LEAP FOR ME, ESPOUSING IDEAS THAT ARE UNFAMILIAR AND A BIT ALIEN, BUT i QUICKLY FELL IN LINE AND LET MYSELF ENJOY THIS SUBJECT. i PLAN TO READ HER TO HER BOOKS.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read!

[Alicia Blando · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's never too late to explore yourself. Just do it!

[Mary Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir takes us down a road paved with honesty which can sometimes feels even scary. Like the proverbial train wreck you can not turn away.

[Donnaldson Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The veil is, indeed, thin. Beautiful tale of a woman finding home in two worlds.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read… I enjoyed the spiritual aspects of this memoir.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up

[Suzanne Marriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that lifts the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds, taking the reader on a compelling and inspirational journey.

[J.A. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the stunning cover is a beautiful memoir from a generous writer!

[Rica Ramos- Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a memoir fan, and this book checked all the boxes for me. The author covers a lot of emotional ground with honesty and courage. Her journey is layered with insight and heart, which she deftly shares with readers. Well done!

[Laura Eppinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this memoir and Vo's fresh perspective, full review here: https://www.cardiffreview.com/review/...