The country known as Vietnam has a long and storied history, in part due to the Vietnam War, but also because of its geographic location. Nestled between India and China, it has been a place of conquest, conflict, and prosperity for a variety of countries. However, its folklore may not be as familiar to Western civilizations. But the book being reviewed today might just be an attempt to change such a notion.
Hello, Gaston College Book Club followers! Evening Librarian Whit Preston here with some thoughts on an enjoyable work of fiction titled The Frangipani Hotel. The book consists of short stories that blend old Vietnamese folk tales with the modern day circumstances that occur for each story’s characters.
A creepiness factor happens periodically within each story, adding a bit of supernatural heebie-jeebies. This alone helps propel the rest of the story, while adding a bit of mystique and intrigue to each story.
Additionally, the work as a whole attempts to reinforce the realities that the Vietnamese, that is, its current citizens and the ones residing in the United States, have experienced and suffered, in both the Vietnam War and throughout its 3000+ year recorded history. Many of the stories’ characters speak of delusions and flashbacks, similar to what may occur during post-traumatic stress disorder.
But these same characters also evoke a sense of humanity, in their desires and their flaws. One story tells of a slightly obese Vietnamese American girl who gets sent with her sibling to Vietnam to spend the summer with their grandmother. The family’s ultimate hope is for the girls to appreciate where they have come from, and ultimately a tale of morality, temptation and human nature ensues.
This collection of short stories is recommended for anyone who wants something slightly off the beaten path. Anyone unfamiliar with the folklore of Vietnam will likely be intrigued to discover other relevant collections of Asian mythology and folklore.
The Frangipani Hotel is not held within the collection of the Gaston College Libraries. However, it may be requested through Inter-library Loan (ILL).
Please add any thoughts, questions, and comments at the end of this post.
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