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Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of West Vancouver Memorial Library.
Aug 24, 2017GLNovak rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I found this fictionalized memoir, written in little snatches with only the vaguest chronology, to be quite moving. The word 'ru' means lullaby in vietnamese, and represents the life in Vietnam as seen through a child's eyes - carefree and privileged, lulling all into a false sense of security. In french 'ru' means a small stream or flow, which is what we follow as Nguyen An Tinh and her family flee to become part of the great wave of boat people to make their way to Canada and other safe countries. Through Thuy's spare, and dreamy, writing we follow the course of An Tinh's life as she comes to terms with her Vietnam heritage and the Canadian culture overlay she must live with. Not feeling truly one or the other, she must meld the two into something that reflects who she is. I got the sense that she was not really successful, and that at the end she remains outside of life, an observer that might never find her identity. I enjoyed this book for the feel of the story, for the sense of ru that came with the narrative. The disjointed chronology did not bother me, nor did the vague hints of An Tinh's life. If you want action with a beginning, middle and end, and things spelled out for you, this is not the book for you.