What readers think of Banyan Moon, plus links to write your own review.

Thank you BookBrowse for the opportunity to review this spectacular upcoming debut publication by Thao Thai. From the beginning chapters I found myself immediately wanting to share the storyline with both my book clubs. Definitely want to engage my bookish friends in discussion over the choices made by Minh, Huang, and Ann; three generations of strong women connected by family culture and secrets that bind each to the other despite fierce independent spirits. Will time bring a sense of understanding and redemption once secrets are revealed? One can only hope. Minh reflects "there is freedom in imperfection. To know and love another's flaws," but is Ann capable of resisting the resentment of not being told the whole truth during her beloved grandmother's lifetime? The symbolism of the banyan is integral to the familial plot as this species of tree is venerated in Hinduism for its ability to live for centuries and is considered safe shelter as roots grow down from branches to anchor the tree strongly to the earth. Can Ann create the foundation needed to lead an independent, resilient life and provide for the next generation while still honoring her Vietnamese ancestral heritage? Perhaps the author will revisit this family for our reading benefit in time as she is clearly talented at writing a concise and meaningful tale that will resonate with families despite various cultural backgrounds. My only suggestion is a pronunciation guide for the many beautiful Vietnamese names and words throughout the text.

This is a multi-generational story narrated by Minh (grandmother), Huong (daughter), and Ann (granddaughter). The story begins with Minh's death followed by Ann's return to her grandmother's decrepit house situated next to a Banyan tree, where she reconnects with her mother. It is in this house, full of keepsakes and secrets that we learn about their own stories of love, connections and pushbacks, contrasting how the different generations made their parent-child dynamics as well as mother-partner choices. We learn about Minh's time in Vietnam and her close relationship with Ann, Huong's relationships with men and her estranged daughter, Ann's pregnancy and her rocky relationship with her rich boyfriend and old friends. As Ann and Huong spend more time together, they reassess their relationships and goals in life, and begin to realize how truly they love each other. Thai's writing is descriptive, beautiful, heartfelt and piercing!

Banyan Moon by Thao Thai is an elegant debut novel…it has the sophistication and style of an experienced author, not a first time storyteller.
As a reader, I was transported to Miami Beach Florida and felt as if I was living in the crumbling house with the three generations of Tran women. The story grabs you on page one and never let's go until the last word. Grandmother, mother, daughter: all have rich backstories, myriad memories and all strands are woven together with the author's skill with words.
As I grew up while the anti-Vietnam War movement was in full bloom, my knowledge of the country and its people was not realistic or complete…even after visiting Vietnam as an adult, it took this book to open my eyes to the lives and struggles of the immigrants as they transitioned to living in the Southern United States.
Banyan Moon not only tells an interesting, interwoven, multigenerational tale, it will leave the reader wanting to meet and get to know the three protagonists, a sure sign of a "must read" novel.

Banyan Moon explores three generations of women of Vietnamese origin and their discoveries, loves and lives. It is poignant and direct, inventive, and introspective. It takes place from the perspective of each woman, in Vietnam, in Florida and elsewhere, across the times of each. With the author providing only tangential clues along the way, it also reads like a mystery, looking for connections and intersections between the lives of the women. Relationships exist that struggle to survive despite seemingly unsurmountable odds, generational gaps, cultural wars. I was particularly intrigued by the insights the author provided about war-time Vietnam from the viewpoint of the common resident, trying to maintain a normal life under the stress of multi-year war and strive.

For a book club with multiple generational members, it might spark conversations about family, the Vietnam war, women in times of extreme stress, coping in adversity and other hot topics. For the individual reader, getting drawn into the lives of each of these women was intriguing, thought-provoking, and insightful.

This is a captivating tale of 3 generations of Vietnamese-American women. spanning two continents and encompassing the years just before and during the American War (known to us as the Vietnam War. ). This beautifully written debut novel begins with the death of the matriarch, Minh, and reflects upon the relationships between herself, her daughter, Huong, and her beloved granddaughter, Ann.

The novel unfolds when Ann, as an adult with a promising future returns to her ancestral home, the crumbling house in the shadow of a large banyan tree (hence the title) for her Grandmother's funeral. Here she is confronted with the strained relationship which has long existed with her mother, Huong. "They have run out of things to say a long time ago."

The author reveals episodes in the lives of all three women, a tangle of emotions portraying the love, loss, regrets, secrets, misunderstandings and things which can never be repaired.

The ending is satisfying, but not predictable. The tale is filled with beautiful imagery and sprinkled with some old-world superstitions and wisdom, including a Vietnamese folktale about the "Man in the moon", which has been passed down through the generations.

Banyan Moon is one of the most poignant, heartwarming books I have read in quite a while.

I loved this book! I wish I could give it 10 stars.

This poignant story spans 3 generations of strong women, the Vietnamese Tran family comprised of mother, daughter and granddaughter. They weather complicated family relationships and family secrets.

I loved each character and loved the way Thoa Thai developed each character literally and metaphorically. I really liked the way she went back and forth from each character weaving a intense story of all the emotions humans deal with in life, love, hate, fear and hope.

Thao has a very definite writing style. She has her story and makes the characters and settings come alive. She totally engages the reader.

The different and difficult love stories of these three women were believable and heartbreaking. It isn't a neatly, happily ever after read.

I especially liked the folktale of the legend of Chu Choi and the similarity of Banyan Moon.

I hope this debut novel will be the first of many to come from Thao Thai. For me this was the best read of the year!

I really enjoyed this book. It centers around 3 women in a familial relationship. I think the main protagonist is the matriarch who is the grandmother. Her daughter and her granddaughter revolve around her. The mother daughter relationship is one of hate and love. When the grandmother dies, lives change for the mother and daughter. At the crux of this is the Banyon House. It's where the secrets are discovered and decisions made. The prose is wonderful and the description invite you into their world.

Thao Thai has written a beautiful novel about three bright and beautiful women with Vietnamese background. Two were born in Vietnam and lived through the war years and the one is born in America of Vietnamese parents. Grandmother, mother and daughter are all narrators, thus giving the reader the opportunity to understand and appreciate each woman's point of view. The setting is in Viet Nam and Florida's southwest coast. A very large crumbling house, the Banyon House, surrounded by land also has a major role in this novel.

Motherhood in all its complexities is a major theme of this book. I highly recommend it. I know my book club will be reading it when it is published.