Fish Sauce is dedicated to Cheri Johnson, Anhthao Bui’s best friend, who is scrutinizing and zealous about Vietnamese culture, tradition, and people.
Fish Sauce is realistic fiction, and Anhthao’s second anthology collection. With her memory, she invites readers to travel with her to Vietnam and go back to the time before and after the pivotal year of 1975. Anhthao also displays her continuing journey in the United States, from the perspective of a newcomer, throughout nearly 100 short pieces of writing.
Professional Reviews
Fish Sauce is worth reading!, September 13, 2013
I am a professional proofreader but was not actively employed on this project. Reading material for errors without getting involved in the content is the name of the game. However, had I been so engaged on this project, I would have missed the mark. The book was nearly impossible to put down which doesn't happen to me often enough. Anhthao Bui is a compelling writer. Images of Vietnam from her childhood are moving and descriptive and make one feel they are really there. Coming to America was illuminating and, as a native-born American, I was fascinated by the immigration process of which I knew nothing. This is a wonderful book and I recommend it to everyone. Outstanding, Ms. Bui.
by Carol S
So much life! AMAZING read!!!, July 26, 2013
This book was such a joy to read... I wish it had been twice the length! My brother served 2 tours in Vietnam and would never speak of it, or share much with us. I can understand that now. He saw so much beauty and sorrow that I realize that lost a piece of his heart, there, just as Anhthoa left a piece of hers there. I saw the images that this book provoked through Anhthao's eyes, my brother's eyes and my own. I learned so much about the three of us, through this book. Anhthao's unique and engaging writing style gave me a perspective I would have never known, or seen, had I not read "Fish Sauce". I have traveled a lot, throughout my life, and would have never thought that Vietnam would ever be on the list of countries I'd like to visit... but, I have to say, NOW, that I'd jump at the chance to experience Anhthao's birth country for myself! Thank you, Ms. Anhthao Bui, for sharing so much of yourself and your country with us!!!
by Charlie O
A Wonderful Collection of Realistic Fiction, January 8, 2013
Every story in Fish Sauce is like a small package wrapped in shiny paper. When you open the package and read the story, you are rewarded with a surprise. Anhthao's point-of-view is unique; the story's title may give you some idea of the story's themes, but each experience with an Anhthao Bui story will surprise the reader. Fish Sauce is like a beautiful mosaic of Anhthao Bui's deepest thoughts, feelings and memories. Up close, it is a patchwork of beautiful, glittering stones. If you stand back, you will see these parts coalesce to form a dazzling work of art. Anhthao's story includes all of the elements that comprise the human mosaic, including patriotism, education, sex, death, religion, and sorrow. Ultimately, Fish Sauce represents an education for the author as well as the reader. The reader is privy to Anhthao's educational journey, as she bridges the gap between two nations. The French writer Jules Renard once wrote, "Literature is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none." Anhthao Bui does not have to keep proving her talent. Her talent is self-evident, right here, in these pages.
by Daniel Lambert
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With the same passion and honesty Lauren exhibite
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