Reviews By Authors, Editors and Publishers
My Heritage ‘not only recounts the events, persons and places that featured in Hien’s life; it gives the reader an unforgettable insight into daily life, into the strong web of relationships and friendships that form the framework of one girl’s story and of her country’s strength. The detail is amazing, and it lets the reader experience through each of the senses the sights, sounds, and even foods of Hien’s homeland … The horrors of the War, its aftermath, the subsequent lack of freedom and the loss of all once held dear -- these form the matrix out of which the family’s dangerous escape is narrated. Yet through all the fear and constant tension, the inherent strength and love of Hien’s parents and siblings shine forth. It is hard to put the book down as the net tightens around the boys and the father bargains for their escape with everything he has earned in a lifetime.’
Catherine Hammond, Editor.
The engaging story-line and overall narrative structure, the poetic sensibility, the fascinating cultural knowledge, the warmth and passion of the voice, and the very emotionally moving revelations of the impact of war and revolution on families and on culture are evident and work brilliantly - I often felt tearful or distressed as I read of the terrible things happening in such a beautiful country and family.’
Patti Miller, Author and founder of the Life Stories Workshop.
‘It is powerful, moving and quite remarkable.’
Rod Morrison, Picador Publisher (formerly).
‘This is a significant and often beautiful and very sad book.’
Peter Bishop, Varuna Creative Director (formerly).
‘Outstanding work. A richly detailed and poignant moment in a young life.’
Elizabeth Stewart, Author.
‘A fascinating non-fiction piece of work that is both colourful and amazingly well detailed.’
Laurent Boulanger, Author and Actor.
‘An extensively researched and beautifully written piece that looks at the recent history of Vietnam.’
Trish Bolton, Journalist Lecturer.
‘An outstanding journal.’
Carolyn Beasley, Author.
‘Hien! I think what you’ve done is marvellous! Such a lovely book … the way it retains its beautiful delicacy, even through the worst and saddest times.’
Judith Lukin-Amundsen, Editor.
‘It has been a bitter-sweet experience reading Minh Hien’s fascinating story My Heritage. Whilst it has been absorbingly interesting it has spelled out for me the enormous difficulties her family has undergone. As her first teacher in Tasmania I had no idea of her family history although I knew her brothers as well as teaching Minh Hien. Thirty years later I have been allowed to enter her world and that of all the Vietnamese people I taught and shared with in the eighties. The book demonstrates the tenacity and determination of three generations of her family and the courage they have shown in challenging circumstances. I feel humble to have been involved in a small way and am grateful to Minh Hien for sharing this story in so much detail.’
Margaret Eldridge, AM, Author.