Livingston Parish Library discussion
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The Mountains Sing
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Bookies - The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
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Remember to please answer at least one question and reply to at least two responses from two different members. You may answer more than one question and respond to more people if you like.
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1. How do faith, religion, and ritual play into this story?
2. For those discussing the book who have received a Western-based education, in what ways did you feel the book aligned or deviated from your understanding of the Vietnam conflict, historical events, and culture?
3. The author has earned acclaim as a celebrated poet. Discuss how you think her background in this form influenced The Mountains Sing novel.**
4. Many proverbs and symbols handed down through generations in Vietnam appeared in this novel. Did you identify with any of them, or did any of them make a particular impression on you? What sayings or symbols from your own family or culture have reappeared throughout your own life?
5. Consider the book's perspective -- largely written in the voice of young Huong, to whom we could draw loose parallels to the author (born in 1973) based on age and experience. Who gets to tell their ancestors' stories, and how do those stories evolve through time?
**You can borrow The Secret of Hoa Sen by Nguyen Phan Que Mai, for which the author collaborated with poet and translator Bruce Weigl to form a collection focused on the lingering physical and psychological effects of the Vietnam War, on Hoopla: www.hoopladigital.com/title/11856163
I notice that many of you check in to read the discussion questions and comments, even if you do not comment yourselves. Believe it or not, that makes me excited! So, I am going to try something a little different.
This is a little jot about what I am feeling and thinking about this book before I read. The books I choose are literary fiction, which means there is always intent, conscious effort, and deeper meanings behind the author’s writing. I am curious how Nguyen managed to accomplish her intent through a translated novel, and I wonder if it will translate well. I am hoping that my thoughts will provide a connection or help you connect to the novel in your own way. Maybe if you see what I am thinking, you might realize you have been thinking similar things. Maybe your thoughts will contrast with mine, and this will provide a deeper perspective for us all. So here we go!
The book cover of The Mountains Sing is absolutely breathtaking with its bold, vibrant, deep red background and green mountain backdrop. I wonder if there is a meaning to the two large branches and golden leaves. The red on the book cover reminds me of the Vietnamese flag, which is also a red backdrop with a gold star in the center. I wonder if the flag of the author’s country inspired the look of the book cover because the colors are similar. What is the meaning of this scene on the cover? Is this the start of a long journey? Is this the view from which the main character sees? Do the mountains actually sing in this book? To quote Alice, "curiouser and curiouser."
I have not read in depth on the author just yet, but I have loads of info, and from what I have skimmed through, I learned that Nguyen lived in both the North and South parts of Vietnam. She is 47 years old, so she grew up in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. She experienced what it was like to grow up in a country that was trying to heal very old wounds and still in conflict in many ways. I know that her fictional characters are closely based on her life experiences and what she has witnessed.
When I look at the Contents page, there are sixteen chapters/sections. The chapter that caught my eye is in the middle called, “The Journey South”. Knowing that Nguyen lived in both North Vietnam and South Vietnam, it makes me see the Contents page as being split as well. To me, the Contents page is arranged to resemble the split in Vietnam during the war. So, I feel like this book will give us insight into life in Northern Vietnam and life in South Vietnam, and I plan to pay attention to the similarities and differences and any shifts that may occur.
Another eye-catcher for me are the chapters called, “The Great Hunger” and “The Land Reform”. In the dedication, the author states that her grandmother died in The Great Hunger, and her grandfather died because of the Land Reform. We don’t know how they died, but it makes me curious if the grandmother in this novel will perish the same way or will Nguyen change the character’s fate and choose to let her live.
That’s all for now. What are your opening thoughts?