With the sweeping grandeur of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko and the lyrical elegance of Vaddey Ratner’s In the Shadow of the Banyan, The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai unfolds an enveloping, multigenerational narrative of the Tran family. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Viet Nam War, the story follows Tran Dieu Lan, born in 1920, who is forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Land Reform under the rising Communist government in the North. Decades later in Hà Noi, her granddaughter, Hương, comes of age as her family members march off to fight on the Ho Chí Minh Trail, facing a conflict that tears both their country and family apart.

Why You Should Read The Mountains Sing

• Authentic Vietnamese Perspective: Gain an intimate understanding of the Viet Nam War from the viewpoint of the Vietnamese people themselves.
• Rich Cultural Immersion: Experience the language, traditions, and resilience of Viet Nam woven seamlessly into the narrative.
• Powerful Themes: Explore universal themes of kindness, hope, and the enduring strength of family amidst adversity.
• Lyrical Storytelling: Delight in the poetic and evocative prose crafted by celebrated Vietnamese poet Nguyen Phan Que Mai.
• Historical Insight: Deepen your knowledge of Viet Nam’s history beyond common Western narratives.

Vivid, gripping, and deeply moving, this is a novel that resonates with the heart and mind, offering both historical depth and emotional richness.