This is Vicky's memoir. I absolutely loved this audiobook!
I must confess that I didn't know who Vicky was or anything about her memoir until I saw a reel on Instagram. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I have not watched any network television news, so I am out of the loop.
Interestingly, my niece, Julia, is reading this book also. I hope her career trajectory is similar to Vicky's, as she is also a television reporter.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Vicky writes strongly, beautifully, and so well.
Narration: 5.0 stars
The narration was powerful and well-done. Vicky is an on-air journalist, so I am not surprised, but rather incredibly impressed.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Vicky and her parents, who were Vietnamese refugees who immigrated to the United States in 1979.
The secondary characters are Brian (Vicky's husband) and his parents, as well as her three children.
There is a huge cast of characters, from the assorted family in Vietnam and the United States, friends from various aspects of Vicky's life, co-workers, and her mentors.
There are so many characters whose names I have already forgotten, but it wasn't important for me. It was about understanding how Vicky and her family developed into better people due to the kindness of strangers.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
What was most interesting to me was the similarities between Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. So many stories resonated with me as my husband is an ABC (American Born Chinese), and it was as if Vicky was talking about his extended family.
Side note: Vicky mentions that the "West Coast is the best coast"! I agree with her wholeheartedly!
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
Vicky made me laugh out loud a few times and helped me understand how difficult and brave it was to escape Vietnam.
Basically, it is exactly like the immigrants who are currently being harassed and kidnapped in Los Angeles by ICE. The vast majority commit no crimes and just want to live in peace and support their family.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Adorable.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen
7 hours, 50 minutes
Simon & Schuster Audio
Release date: 4/1/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: War, racism, xenophobia, death of a child, murder, violence, family dysfunction, pandemic
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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