Sigh, Gone

Memoir of growing up in an immigrant Vietnamese family during the 80’s and 90’s. Tran’s family evacuated Saigon when he was barely two, moving to small-town Pennsylvania. His story tells about the struggles to understand a new culture, his eroding confidence in his parents (because they couldn’t help him navigate English, were publicly insulted by other adults, had low-paying jobs after his father had been a lawyer in his home country and other things) and his initial bafflement at being taunted by classmates- for his name, for his appearance, for simply being Vietnamese. He tried to change his first name to something American, and got teased more (so changed it back). He decided to fit in by standing out, connecting with skaters and punk kids. Earned himself a reputation among other kids for minor misdemeanors- talking back to teachers, petty crime, fights (always standing up for himself or friends) etc. Then he gradually fell in love with literature- read all the great books his teachers recommended and came back for more. Loved the library- an awe for the readily accessible knowledge that his father passed on to him. But also rebelled against his family’s strict expectations, his father’s sudden bursts of rage and physical punishment. Lots more than I can mention in here. Facing prejudice and racism. Trying to fit in with soceity’s norms, even when you don’t believe them. Finding yourself in places you didn’t forsee. I was thrown off at first by the f-word in the very first sentence, but the profanity in this book isn’t excessive and always fit the circumstance, so it didn’t bother me. I liked this book far more than I expected to. It’s very well-written and really insightful, examining Tran’s family dynamics, his parents’ efforts to remake their life in a new country, his relationships with other kids at school, teachers, and the world at large in ways that feel full of clarity and understanding. Of course I especially liked how books are woven through the narrative, as he discovered and learned from them. This was an unexpected find, off the recommendation shelf at my library, and it’s one I’d readily add to my own collection.