Customer Reviews

The Tapestries: A Novel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read many books written in English about Vietnam, but found only a few that clearly reflect the soul and spirit of the Vietnamese: "The tapestries" is one of them.

The story took place between 1916 and 1932 in a small village near Hue, the Imperial City of Vietnam. This is a book about commoners, middle class people and royalty. It deals with a wicked magistrate and his granddaughter Mai but also a heroine Ven, who at age 15 was given in marriage to then seven year-old Dan. There are also a minister, a eunuch, the queen's lady-in-waiting, and a time-teller (similar to Quasimodo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame).

The story then moved to Hue and we are given a glimpse of the slowly fading monarchy. There were plots, murders, injustice, hate, love, and redemption throughout of the book. The plots were as thick as the tropical jungle (like any Vietnamese story) with a twist at every corner. The author kept us guessing (wrong most of the time) and held us in suspense until the next chapter.

I found the novel remarkable and I am certain the reader will appreciate and thank the author for bringing something exotic to the American public.

Wow - this amazing book is so remarkably well-written that it's hard to imagine this is the author's first novel. He has brilliantly crafted a vividly stunning story, immersing the reader into a mysterious and exotic culture that is often misunderstood by those of us who live in the modern Western world. The detailed descriptions of the setting and of the various traditions and rituals were fascinating! Despite difficult to endure scenes of torture, severe injustices and executions, this story held a tragic beauty that was spellbinding. Full of action and suspense, it very artistically and soulfully captured the true spirit of the Vietnamese people. It has all the qualities of a classic epic novel, yet it's fast-paced and not an overwhleming number of pages.

This is a gem of a book with many qualities that have obviously endeared it to the other reviewers here. It's a good read for most readers, even if it suffers from several flaws.

The writing is mostly good, if somewhat artificial at times, especially when the author seemed to overreach in trying to be too lyrical. Behind the words, the story struggles to be told, even though one has probably guessed what it would be after the first two chapters. The historical background seems of uncertain authenticity and could have benefited from better research.

Somehow I wish that the author had not yielded to his editors and done things like reversing the traditional order of Vietnamese names, or making them easier to pronounce in English but unrecognizable in Vietnamese. After all, how would Americans feel if they were to read a Vietnamese book where George Bush is referred to as Bush George?

this book is rich in it's magnitude and beautiful to read. the story is compelling and the characters are so real. as the story unfolds and the locations, history and people literally exude authenticity. it is a book that will take you into a world you might not know existed otherwise, and the story both fascinates and moves readers.

Set in Vietnam, and covering a period of time from 1916 onward, this novel grabbed my attention from the very beginning and held it throughout its 310 pages. The author is part Vietnamese and part American and grew up in Vietnam listening to stories told by his grandparents. There is therefore a sense of authenticity about the world he describes. But this is not a history book although it is set against the events of the early and mid-twentieth century. It is basically a family saga and a story of romance revenge, passion and adventure. There's corruption and cruelty and great love and sacrifice. There's a rigidly structured society, which defines the loves and lives of people. And then there are some really wonderful characters.

The book starts with an arranged marriage. We see the world through the bride's eyes. We wonder about the groom along with her because she is not even present at the wedding ceremony. She doesn't meet him until he comes to the bedroom that night. She's in for quite a surprise.

Later, we see the results of a cruel and corrupt government. We witness executions, which are described in excruciating detail. But that is just the beginning of the story that spans several decades. During this time, we see the changes in Vietnam and get involved with the characters. It seems as if something new happens on every page to further complicate the story.

The title refers to the main character, who is a tapestry weaver. However, the book itself can be considered a tapestry because of the way the author weaves his tale.

I loved this book and definitely recommend it.

A friend gave me this book for a present in my birthday, and it is just one of the best novels I've read. The 7 year old boy with his motherly wife, is a tremendous situation and all the things involved, just amazing! The slavery (not said) of the wife and the incredible descriptions of places and situations, are the things that kept me thinking about my own life and the suffering of others. I will recomend this book to all the people I know, specially those who complaint all the time about their own lives.

The Unwanted is a hard act to follow. Nguyen pulls it off beautifully. This novel is dark, eglegiac, riveting. The sort of book you don't want to end, you have to keep yourself from reading because you don't want to use it up too quickly. The language is stunning and the story complex and provocative. Highly recommended. A very smart book.

In 1916 Viet Nam, twenty-four years old Ven is shocked to learn that her new husband Dan Nguyen is only seven years old. She quickly learns why his father agreed to her joining his family as a "daughter". She is now an unpaid servant (perhaps slave is more descriptive) to her three mothers-in-law as expected by society. Still she tries to do what is best for her husband as their relationship is more mother to child than a married couple.

However, when the town's mayor has Dan's parents killed, Ven protects her spouse. When she becomes ill she sells Dan into slavery into the safest place she knows, the home of the mayor. Years later Dan and Tai May, granddaughter of the mayor, fall in love. However, another suitor destroys their happiness by revealing Dan's preadolescent marriage, forcing Dan to flee for his life.

THE TAPESTRIES is a tremendous early twentieth century Viet Namese historical tale that is at an incredible level of excellence up to the point that Dan runs away after being exposed. Though the plot meanders after that, the insightful story line provides an intriguing glimpse at a time and place. Along with the resplendent light on the past, the three dimensional cast turns Kien Nguyen's novel into a must read for sub-genre fans who will also want to obtain the author's biography THE UNWANTED as this is a talented writer worth following.

Harriet Klausner

In general my book club found this book very well written and a captivating read. Many struggled with the violence in the book but checked out its authenticity from the author's grandfather's experiences.
I think it has great character development and a cliff-hanging story line. It is also very interesting to read about a different culture's history. This is an excellent read for the people who enjoy a fast pace,a tolerance for vivid atrocities and appreciate good writing with authentic research.

One of the best books I have ever read! Every page gives a twist on the history and keeps you awake until the surprising end.