The Refugees

by Viet Thanh Nguyen
The Refugees cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 7544
  • Added: 2025-12-14
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781472152541
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2017-02-07
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In The Refugees, Viet Thanh Nguyen gives voice to the experiences of those who navigate life between their adopted homeland and their country of birth. The stories delve into the profound culture shock, dreams, and hardships faced by immigrants, offering a deeply moving and insightful look at their aspirations and struggles. /n/n From a young Vietnamese refugee adjusting to life with two gay men in San Francisco to a woman whose husband's dementia blurs the lines of their relationship, each narrative is a testament to the complexities of identity and belonging. Nguyen's beautifully written and sharply observed collection highlights the universal desires for self-fulfillment that transcend borders and cultures.

Reviews
Michael G. Karnavas · Michael G. Karnavas · 2017-11-09
excellent 4.50

Nguyen is praised for his exceptional storytelling and the nuances in each tale. The collection is described as a gem full of twists and surprises.

Michael G. Karnavas' review emphasizes Nguyen's skill as a storyteller, highlighting the nuances, twists, and surprises in each of the eight stories. They suggest that readers should savour each tale, as they are all beautifully crafted. The reviewer also notes that the collection is a testament to Nguyen's ability to capture the complexities of the human experience, particularly in the context of immigration and displacement. They appreciate the depth and richness of the stories, which they believe will resonate with a wide range of readers.

Quick quotes

    Nguyen is an exceptional writer, a formidable storyteller.

    All eight stories in The Refugees are gems full of nuances, twists, and surprises.

    Savor them.

The National Book Review · 2017-03-03
great 4.00

The collection is cleverly paced and well-crafted, offering a solid set of stories that Nguyen published over the last decade.

The National Book Review commends The Refugees for its clever pacing and well-crafted stories. They note that the collection is a solid representation of Nguyen's work over the past decade. The reviewer appreciates the variety of narratives and the way Nguyen explores different aspects of the refugee experience. They also highlight the timeliness of the collection, which they believe will resonate with readers in today's political climate. The stories are engaging and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of immigrants.

Quick quotes

    The Refugees is clever, it's paced well, and it's a solid collection of stories.

    A solid collection of stories that Viet Thanh Nguyen published over the last decade.

    It's a timely and relevant collection.

The Guardian · 2017-01-27
insightful 4.00

The collection explores themes of anger, humour, and hope through the lens of Vietnamese immigrants. The stories are poignant and offer a unique perspective on the refugee experience.

The Guardian's review highlights the emotional depth and variety within The Refugees. The stories are not just about the hardships faced by refugees but also about their resilience and the humour they find in their daily lives. The reviewer appreciates the way Nguyen weaves together different narratives to create a tapestry of the refugee experience. They also note how the collection is timely and relevant, especially in today's political climate. The stories are engaging and thought-provoking, offering a window into a world that many readers may not be familiar with.

Quick quotes

    Stories of anger, humour and hope.

    A poignant and timely collection.

    Nguyen weaves together different narratives to create a tapestry of the refugee experience.

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