The Voyage of the Lucky Dragon [Paperback]

Jack Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1985

A young Vietnamese boy recounts the perils and hardships endured by his family as they journey to Indonesia, Singapore and finally to Australia seeking political asylum.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (March 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0139441581
• ISBN-13: 978-0139441585
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,047,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, January 11, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Voyage of the Lucky Dragon (Paperback)

The Voyage of the Lucky Dragon, By Jack Bennett is an exciting and suspenseful drama that will leave the thoughts of the reader burbling for weeks after you've read it. The book is about a Vietnamese family living in Bach Chi during the Vietnamese war. When the war is over they might be forced to be in labor camps and be separated from each other. Taking a huge risk they make a to sneak away. Quan, the son of Phan Thi Chi, and the main character is excited because in their new planned life style, They plan to run a fishing boat, the lucky dragon. When the government steals the boat, they must take it back and go to Malaysia. When Malaysia refuses to take them, they go to Australia, because they know they will be welcome their. After a long journey, of being attacked by sharks, eating a spoonful of dirty rice a night, being attacked by pirates, during the storms being drenched in water, and shivering cold, all day and night long, a flooding engine room, and an extremely low supply of water and oil, and a loss of hope will they make it to Australia?
I highly recommend this book because each character is different and separate, and you get the feel for which each character is. You now their weakness' their strengths, and you watch them grow into mature, well-rounded young people. For example Aunt Binh starts off as a sad, upset, young lady with a negative attitude and only looks at the bad things that happened in her life. She lost her husband in the war along with her children, and can't find anything worth living for. As more obstacles are thrown at her road of life, she learns to deal with them, and becomes more confident, independent, and loving person. She learns to think for herself, and just be happy she is alive. Another example is of Phan Thi Chi, the father of Quan. He starts off as a confident dreamer who loves to take adventures and risks, but is clever in the process. As the book carries on, he becomes very scared and mentally unhealthy. Another reason I recommend this book is because many of the instances are very thought provoking. For example, Quan, the main character, thinks of many clever ways to keep his journey going, and escape from the authorities, to get a better life. For example he thinks of a clever way to use his school books as a map, and head to Australia because they will let anyone into there territory. As you read it is hard not to think, " I wonder if I would have thought of that." Another example is when all bad things happen; Quan still holds his head high and doesn't get discouraged. He follows through on his goal no matter what happens. The reader will be a curio to find out if they would have done it.
One thing I would not recommend about the book is there are a fair amount of gory parts are described in great detail and would not be appropriate for readers nine and under. Parts of the book, are quite disturbing, and depressing. For example when the father dies they use his body, in a horrible way to publicize the fact that they are in need of help. It is described in detail and not wise for a young minor to read it. Besides the age issues, for those who can handle it this book is strongly recommended it.