Hackley Public Library Book Club discussion

Mark your calendar for this upcoming book discussion, 6 PM on Monday, June 8, about the compelling novel “The Mountains Sing.” This epic story narrates the powerful and painful history of 20th century Vietnam.

Is this a Zoom discussion or comments here discussion?

Pam wrote: "Is this a Zoom discussion or comments here discussion?"

Hi there! It'll be a discussion in comments, and HPL's Adult Services Librarian Analiese will be leading the discussion tonight.

so is this the right place to be?

Pam wrote: "so is this the right place to be?"

Yes, indeed! The discussion will begin at 6 pm.

Hi everyone! This is Analiese, librarian at Hackley Public Library, and I wanted to start out by saying thank you for joining our online book discussion of The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.

Whenever we do a book discussion, I like to hear what everyone's initial thoughts were of the book. Did you read it or listen on audio?

I listened to it and thought the reader did a wonderful job. This is certainly a deep book which had me in tears in many parts but I liked the way it had the story of both (Grandma) and Huong.

What about you?

Please keep in mind you may need to refresh your browser to see replies in real time.

well....I will talk to myself. I loved the book. Got the hardcover book because in the 70's our church, Trinity Lutheran, New Era sponsored a Vietnamese family with 6 kids. I thought I would pass my book around to our church members...whenever I see them again!

Pam wrote: "well....I will talk to myself. I loved the book. Got the hardcover book because in the 70's our church, Trinity Lutheran, New Era sponsored a Vietnamese family with 6 kids. I thought I would pass m..."

That's a wonderful idea, Pam. I'm glad you loved the book. Was there anything in particular you liked about it?

Let's discuss Diệu Lan’s (Grandma) children and her influence on each of them. Did any characters in particular stand out to you?

Our family must have been in Southern Vietnam. The Father had a great business, lost it. Decided to flee with the kids. His idea was to split the family and get on 2 boats so that at least if one got turned back, the others would possibly make it to asylum somewhere. His wife nixed that idea. All were on one boat and then it turned out the other boat trying to escape DID get stopped.

Hola...anybody here besides me?

Pam wrote: "Our family must have been in Southern Vietnam. The Father had a great business, lost it. Decided to flee with the kids. His idea was to split the family and get on 2 boats so that at least if one g..."

Hi, Pam,
Yes, I am here. That must be so difficult to make a choice like that and split up your family.

The boat trip was horrible. I forget how long they were on the cramped boat but sea sickness was rampant. A Norwegian Navy ship came by and rescued them and the first man to speak to them looked like an angel to them.

Pam wrote: "The boat trip was horrible. I forget how long they were on the cramped boat but sea sickness was rampant. A Norwegian Navy ship came by and rescued them and the first man to speak to them looked li..."

It certainly sounds that way.

The author has earned acclaim as a celebrated poet. Discuss how you think her background in this form influenced
The Mountains Sing novel.*

In addition to her own personal experience witnessing war’s devastation, author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai collected
hundreds of true stories from families to form the basis of this novel and study the aftermath of war across generations. Discuss how trauma is handed down through the decades and how it evolves between generations.

Especially in regard to the character of Sang, discuss political ideology’s potential to drive families apart.

One of Grandma’s phrases of wisdom offered to Ngọc was “If you bear grudges, you’re the one who’ll have to bear the burden of sorrow.” Discuss Diệu Lan’s deep well of forgiveness and courage. How do you think she summoned suchcourage to release these deep wounds?

They spent a couple years in a terrible refugee camp on a tiny island around Singapore somewhere. They waited so long because not many organizations wanted to take on 6 children! Anyway, the family thrived. Almost all the boys went into the military and went far. Now their boys are in the military. The girls are physicians and a researcher. We are so proud of them.

Well, not the book you were supposed to have a discussion on, but I told you why I read it. There was a lot I didn't know about the Vietnam War. I knew enough that if I was old enough I would have been an anti war protester!

This concludes my book discussion with myself. I will go enjoy my gardens now. Pretty disappointed I couldn't discuss this book with someone.

Peace. Be Safe.

Have you traveled to Vietnam or studied the country’s history? How did this book compare to that experience? How about for other war-torn regions of the world? How did visiting or learning about those places affect you?

Again, I apologize for the technical trouble.
We will be trying a different platform for our next book club so keep a look out for that on our website, hackleylibrary.org or our Facebook Page.

Our next book discussion will be on The Gown by Jennifer Robson. https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/1...

Want a preview? Listen to an excerpt of it read live by me, Analiese, on Tuesday, 6/9 at 1:30. It will stream to our Facebook Page and our Youtube channel.