ABQ Graphic Novel Book Club discussion

Our June reading selection, The Best We Could Do, is a graphic novel memoir by Vietnamese-American author Thi Bui. Detailing the author's relationship with her parents and their history as refugees from Vietnam, it's a story about family, memory, generational trauma, and acceptance.

Oddly, I had not seen this message before noticing this book on Amazon today, and have already ordered it. When is the June meeting?
- Terry

Hi Terry, the June meeting is today. I'll check to see if you're our mailing list.

I enjoyed this book. The author’s relationship with her father was very interesting. Her exploration of some the things her father did as a child to stay alive was very intersesting.

I agree, Gary. The author has a lot of compassion for the ways in which her father has carried the trauma of his past into his life in the US. He didn't have a chance to be everything she wanted in a father, but he did his best, and she loved him for it.

It is really a fascinating memoir. I learned a lot, and it was wonderful to read a voice from that time period, and know what happened to at least one family. The artwork is great. The art actually adds a lot to the story. Sometimes novels or memoirs spend too much time describing things that can more easily be shown, which distracts from the feelings invoked. Refugees have much to deal with, and their sense of loss, ennui and bewilderment need telling. The struggle is what is important, not long-winded descriptions of a boat, or a sunset, or things that really don't advance the story, so that is something that I love about graphic novels. They can show these things in great detail, without straying from the storytelling. And I like that I can enjoy both visual art and writing at the same time.

Terry wrote: "It is really a fascinating memoir. I learned a lot, and it was wonderful to read a voice from that time period, and know what happened to at least one family. The artwork is great."

I agree with Terry--I think this was so illuminating to read!