A GOOD SCENT FROM A STRANGE MOUNTAIN

by Robert Olen Butler
A GOOD SCENT FROM A STRANGE MOUNTAIN cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Short Story Collections
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  • ID: 8146
  • Added: 2025-12-20
  • Updated: 2025-12-20
  • ISBN: 9780802193896
  • Publisher: Open Road + Grove/Atlantic
  • Published: 2012-03-11
  • Reviews: 3

Robert Olen Butler's Pulitzer Prize-winning collection, A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain, offers a unique perspective on the aftermath of the Vietnam War through the eyes of Vietnamese citizens who have resettled in Louisiana. The stories are written with a lyrical and poignant prose that weaves together Vietnamese folklore and modern American realities, creating a vivid and epic panorama. The collection includes two previously uncollected stories, 'Missing' and 'Salem,' which delve into the experiences of a former Vietcong soldier and an American MIA, respectively. These additions complete the narrative journey, providing a deeper exploration of the war's lingering effects. The stories are deeply affecting and resonate with a sense of implicit prayer, making it one of the strongest collections in recent years.

Reviews
Reddit - r/books · 2025-12-20
enjoyable 4.50

The reviewer expresses a deep appreciation for the book, highlighting its emotional impact and the richness of its stories. They found the collection to be a compelling read that they thoroughly enjoyed.

The reviewer on Reddit shares their love for 'A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain', mentioning that they started reading it a few months ago and are almost done, having enjoyed it immensely. They highlight the emotional impact of the stories and the richness of the characters, which made the book a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the way Butler weaves together the experiences of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans, creating a tapestry of stories that are both poignant and engaging. They found the collection to be a deeply moving and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    I started reading this book a few months ago and got more than half way through it I'm almost done now and I absolutely love it .

    The stories are deeply moving and engaging.

    The book is a compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Hackwriters · 2025-12-20
insightful 4.00

The story 'Love' is highlighted for its emotional depth, insight, and humor, capturing the complexities of human relationships. The collection is praised for its poignant and lyrical exploration of the Vietnamese experience.

The reviewer at Hackwriters particularly enjoyed the story 'Love', which they found touching, insightful, and laugh-out-loud funny. This story, about a husband's attempt at vengeance on his wife, showcases the emotional depth and humor that can be found within the collection. Overall, the book is celebrated for its poignant and lyrical exploration of the Vietnamese experience, both in Vietnam and among Vietnamese-Americans. The reviewer appreciates the way Butler captures the voices and stories of these communities, making the characters feel real and relatable.

Quick quotes

    Perhaps the best story in the book is Love, in that it is touching, insightful, and laugh out loud funny, about a husband's attempt at vengeance on his wife and ...

    The characters are well-drawn and the stories are poignant and lyrical.

    Butler captures the voices and stories of the Vietnamese experience with remarkable insight.

Bookfoolery · 2021-02-25
poignant 4.25

The collection is noted for its poignant and lyrical exploration of the Vietnamese experience, both in Vietnam and among Vietnamese-Americans. The reviewer appreciates the emotional depth and the way the stories capture the voices of the characters.

The reviewer at Bookfoolery highlights the emotional depth and lyrical quality of 'A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain'. They appreciate the way Butler captures the voices and experiences of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans, creating a collection that is both poignant and insightful. The reviewer notes that the stories are well-crafted and emotionally resonant, making the book a compelling read. They particularly enjoy the way Butler explores the aftermath of the Vietnam War and its impact on the characters, providing a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of their experiences.

Quick quotes

    A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler is a collection of short stories about Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans.

    The stories are well-crafted and emotionally resonant.

    Butler captures the voices and experiences of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans with remarkable insight.

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