The Sympathizer - A Telling Portrait

Most of us gathered to discuss this facinating and excellent first novel grew up in or around the VietNam war era and had personal connnections, close or a bit removed, that still today left strong impressions and emotions. 

This novel presented another view, that from the perspective of the Vietnamese who lived through the conflict on their own soil, watched as their villages were destroyed, then escaped to the land of their enemy and in a very real way, their savior. 

The lives of these refugees, and of one person left behind, make up this story, told by an irregular narrator from all perspectives. A Vietnamese boy fathered by a French priest he was not fully of his home country. His father gave him no access to his own life and culture, so he was suspended in a way that he says created his ability to sympathize with both sides of a story. 

And so, he was also a double agent, working for a general in the army while spying for one of his best friends who has remained behind as high ranking communist functionary. And he is the link between his two closest friends, the Communist and the traditionalist who lost his wife and child in the chaos of leaving the country. 

The stories of the refugees was touching and depressing - accomplished people, respected in their own country now running liquor stores and gas stations while clinging to hope of return. The actions of ther narrator, never called anything except The Captain, were horrifying, done in the spirit of one who, with divided ties, has no moral compass. 

The writing was beautiful for the most part, thoughtful, evocative and lyrical. The book had its phases though and to me, the first 50 or so pages that set the stage were the strongest. From there, satire and a campy feel cropped up too often for me, giving the book a definite Catch 22 flavor. It became a bit difficult to follow - whas this supposed to be funny? Was it over-exaggerated for effect or was this supposed to be an actual description? 

Yet, these questions were minor in comparison to the quality of the book. It was a strong story and a difficult one, but one that will stir discussion for a long time. 

And so on we go to the next. We selected I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. I have not read her before and so am really looking forward to this! We will be at Julie's on May 16. 

For those of you wanting the Parmesan Rosemary Pecan wafer recipe, here is a link, enjoy! 

https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/rosemary-parm-cookies

And if you want even more and much better commentary on the book, here is great review by Philip Caputo in the New York Times.  Philip Caputo wrote, among others, Indian Country, another VietNam war book. He is well know for war fiction. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/books/review/the-sympathizer-by-viet-thanh-nguyen.html?_r=0