Customer Reviews

Saigon (v. 2)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Grey's tale of love and betrayal in Indochina is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It's almost seven years since I read it for the first time, but I still remember being transfixed by the atmosphere in this epic tale.

Saigon begins in the French colonial days of the early 1900s and explores the often cruel relationship between imperial master and servant. There then begins the rebellion and the central love affair between the Vietnamese and Americans that moves in parallel throughout the book until the French are expelled and then when the last American chopper lifts off for freedom. Grey's descripton of the final moments and the fight to board is breathtaking.

What makes this a truly memorable read is Grey's ability to carry a complex theme with a such light touch. Never do you feel bored or weary. Five Stars.

A nice novel that revolves around the history of Vietnam from 1925 to 1975. Anthony Grey spins a nice story that is hard to put down. His books have been quite popular in Asia with "Peking" being another one of his fine works. It's a shame his books haven't received as much attention as James Clavell's. A very enjoyable book that I need to re-read as it's now been years since I last read it. Hopefully, a movie director will find a way to put this on the big screen in the future.

Grey has the ability to keep me entertained, and educated, both at the same time. The history and atmosphere of this complelling country was brought to me in such a way, that was interesting, moving, and alive. I found it alot funner to read then a history book. Well done. Well written.

Historical fiction at its best. Grey presents Vietnams complex history and people simply and effectively. His work provides the reader with thorough knowledge of a land whose history is complex, passionate & explosive. His characters bring Vietnam alive through their intense feelings of anger, oppression, desire and tenacity. This book has love, hate, greed, betrayal, gluttony, violence...and will leave its reader with a deeper understanding of country that has reached far beyond its remote borders.

Historical fiction at its best. Grey presents Vietnams complex history and people simply and effectively. His work provides the reader with thorough knowledge of a land whose history is complex, passionate & explosive. His characters bring Vietnam alive through their intense feelings of anger, oppression, desire and tenacity. This book has love, hate, greed, betrayal, gluttony, violence...and will leave its reader with a deeper understanding of country whose spirit continues to reach far beyond its remote borders.

Possibly one of the best books I have ever read. I was lucky enough to read Saigon on my recent three week journey through Vietnam and I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Vietnam whilst losing myself in the tormented and often very violent history of this fascinating country.

A brilliantly balanced perspective and account of American, French and Vietnamese families battling with the legacies of oppressive colonial rule, strict Confucian tradition and an overwhelming desire for national unification.

This is a fantastic novel that cleaverly weaves fiction and history with great subtlety. Truly a masterpiece.

One of the most amazing books I have ever read in my life... So much so that straight after I finished it, I logged on to the internet to find other titles from the same author.

If you have any interest whatsoever in the history of Asia, this has to be the most engaging way to get a background to it. Brilliantly written, and absolutely fascinating!

Anthony Grey must have a deep passion about Vietnam, or he simply jumped on the band wagon in the VN War era, to be able to produce a 760-page book without ever visiting the country (at the time he wrote).

He said he read six hundred documents before writing the book. Most of the historical facts are correct, but here and there there are errors. For example, he described the monsoon rain the last few days before Saigon was liberated in April 1975, and that was just pure wrong! April was not a monsoon season in Saigon.

There are some good and vivid details in the fighting and the love scenes. He can render a good story, mixing it with real historical accounts.

Overall, an engaging read.

I read this book while in Vietnam to initiate me in to the history of the country I was visiting. It offers a balanced and skillfull mixture of historic fact and story. Its a real page turner and impressed me greatly. I learned so much about Vietnam while following the main characters through the generations. I have since read this book several times and even though it is rather thick, I cannot put it down until I finished.

If you like historic fiction and are interested in Viet Nam, then Saigon is a book you should read.

Starting in the 1920's under French Colonialism and taking us through WWII, the French defeat in the 50's all the way through to final victory (for the North) in the 70's.

If you like Michener, McCullough, Jennings, and Wouk, you will enjoy this book.

Anthony Grey brings events and characters to lfe.