Reviews with content warning for Grief - Quando le montagne cantano

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Quando le montagne cantano by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

63 reviews

crys_tel's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book has everything, historical background that extends over 5 decades, strongly developed characters, fairly enthralling plot and very deep and complex reflections. Nguyen Phan Qué Mai is very eloquent and graceful in her writing which puts a nice bow on the hole thing.

Content Warnings

helaylay's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

anniesaez's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

rieviolet's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Despite its difficult subject matter, The Mountains Sing is a book that I didn't want to put down. You are compelled to keep reading to find out what happened in the past and what fate will befall the characters that you've grown attached to.

I really appreciated how the author explored war and its aftermath, both at a wider and at a more personal level (through the story of the Trần family). I think it did well in depicting all the contradictions and nuances in a country's history.
My only minor complaint in terms of the plot is the big revelation in the final chapters; I found it a little bit melodramatic and fortuitous.

I wasn't completely captured by the writing style but, here and there, there were some touching moments elevated by the prose.

Overall, this is a gripping and powerful book that I would encourage everyone to pick up.

Content Warnings

colormecaro's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

velvetcelestial's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

jemg99's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A beautiful and moving history of Vietnam told by a grandmother and her granddaughter. This is an astonishing feat of a book that encompasses so much of Vietnam’s recent history, while keeping a beating heart of love and hope amidst the atrocities laid out in their story. I really felt as though I became a part of the Tran family and their history. I think this novel particularly struck a chord as I began reading it on my trip to Vietnam. It was an informative and soulful book that enriched my visit. I would highly recommend, particularly if you are interested in Vietnamese history or are planning a holiday there. But, ultimately, this book should be essential reading for all.

Content Warnings