I found the author’s telling of how much she wished she knew about her mother very touching… and poignant. I couldn’t help think about my own mother, who’s still with us—I don’t know any of those things she mentioned either… Can a child ever truly know their parent? Even if the father were to ‘reveal’ anything, it would still be a secondhand telling, through his eyes and perspective, of her mother. We never truly know another.
I absolutely have to read this book! In New Orleans, the nail techs are largely Vietnamese. I have an ear for languages (I speak French pretty well and know bits of seven others). Having heard the conversation flow around me, I learned a few phrases in Vietnamese. The first time I tried “Hello” and “Thank you” it was like a door opening. The owner began tutoring me in nuances of the language. As with Korean and Japanese, there are hierarchies in the way you address people. Her son gave me lists of food places to try that even my chef friends did not know about. I can’t say I speak Vietnamese at all well, but I did learn some. Reading this, especially the Vietnamese words, brings back sitting in the salon, and having people teach me and correct me.
I absolutely LOVED this book, and I highly recommend the audio version if you have the chance! The author narrates it herself and her experience as a performer really shows. The book would've been five stars regardless, but I thought the audio version really elevated it up even another notch.
I found the author’s telling of how much she wished she knew about her mother very touching… and poignant. I couldn’t help think about my own mother, who’s still with us—I don’t know any of those things she mentioned either… Can a child ever truly know their parent? Even if the father were to ‘reveal’ anything, it would still be a secondhand telling, through his eyes and perspective, of her mother. We never truly know another.
I absolutely have to read this book! In New Orleans, the nail techs are largely Vietnamese. I have an ear for languages (I speak French pretty well and know bits of seven others). Having heard the conversation flow around me, I learned a few phrases in Vietnamese. The first time I tried “Hello” and “Thank you” it was like a door opening. The owner began tutoring me in nuances of the language. As with Korean and Japanese, there are hierarchies in the way you address people. Her son gave me lists of food places to try that even my chef friends did not know about. I can’t say I speak Vietnamese at all well, but I did learn some. Reading this, especially the Vietnamese words, brings back sitting in the salon, and having people teach me and correct me.
That just trust me! 💯
So happy to hear an audiobook version is available.
I just listened to the audio version as the author is also a theatrical performer and it was amazing - highly recommend reading it with your ears. ♥️
I absolutely LOVED this book, and I highly recommend the audio version if you have the chance! The author narrates it herself and her experience as a performer really shows. The book would've been five stars regardless, but I thought the audio version really elevated it up even another notch.
Really looking forward to reading this, it was indeed the perfect Culture Study book/interview!
Immediately put the audiobook on hold via Libby after reading this interview.
Susan's book is excellent and her show is incredible. So glad to see her writing featured here!
Loved this book so much!