Dust Child serves as a poignant reminder that in war, there are no true winners, and its enduring effects reach far beyond what meets the eye. Told through multiple perspectives and timelines, this novel masterfully portrays the hidden scars and shared pain of those caught in the web of the Việt Nam War.
In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh found themselves in dire straits, driven to leave their rural village and work as "bar girls" in Sài Gòn, providing companionship and more to American GIs in exchange for money. As the war drew nearer to the city, the once-innocent Trang became entangled in a passionate romance with Dan, a charismatic American helicopter pilot. Decades later, Dan returns to Việt Nam with his wife, Linda, seeking healing from his PTSD and secretly grappling with buried secrets from his past. Simultaneously, Phong, the son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman, embarks on a quest to locate both of his parents and a path out of Việt Nam. Abandoned at an orphanage as a child, Phong endured labels like "Black American imperialist," and "child of the enemy." His dream is to secure a better life for himself and his family in the United States. Set between the Việt Nam war and the present day, Dust Child unfolds as a sweeping saga of concealed family secrets and unspoken heartaches.
This is a war story where the war remains in the background, allowing us to witness the human toll it exacts on those not directly involved in combat. This unique approach adds a fresh perspective to the plot. Nguyễn Phan Quế Ma skillfully illustrates the extensive impact of war on all those caught in its web—the young servicemen and the ordinary citizens struggling to survive. The narrative is powerful, with well-developed characters such as Phong, Trang, Dan, and Quynh, each of whom I deeply cared about. The story evokes strong emotions. Most commendable is how Quế Mai allowed us to see both sides—the multiple generations of trauma, different forms of suffering, yet all equally painful. By employing three points of view, Quế Mai delves into the lives of the Vietnamese people and the GIs who endured the horrors of the Việt Nam War. She does so with eloquence and a profound sense of empathy. It's a stark reminder that in war, there are no true winners, and its effects endure far beyond what we can perceive. Despite the three different points of view and dual timelines, the narrative was masterfully executed, providing insight into the shared pain amid the incredibly complex experiences of the Việt Nam War and its aftermath.
Moreover, Dust Child sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of history during the Vietnam War. In that turbulent period, tens of thousands of children were born from relationships between American soldiers and Vietnamese women. Tragically, most of these Amerasian children were separated from their parents, with many remaining forever estranged from their families. This untold narrative, explored and elucidated by Quế Mai, was deeply moving. The title, Dust Child, specifically alludes to the mixed-race children born during and after the war. Among them, those with Black fathers and prominent Black features endured the harshest treatment. Learning about this lesser-known aspect of the war was both emotionally moving and eye-opening. Phong's story, in particular, serves as a poignant example of the treatment faced by Amerasian children, unfairly treated by their own society, consigned to lives of poverty, and left with no knowledge of their family backgrounds.
Overall, Dust Child is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of the enduring impact of war on individuals and families, masterfully told by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, and it is a book that will resonate long after the final page is turned.
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