Blog 5

This week we were assigned The Book of Salt by Monique Truong for reading. From just reading the back of the book and noting what time era this story took place in, I thought I was going to dread reading this. However, after the first couple of pages, I new that this author has a very unique way of writing and the story just seemed to flow so well that it eventually made it worthwhile reading. In the beginning of the novel, the main character, Bihn, is introduced and he begins telling the story of his living situation in Paris, currently with GertrudeStein and Miss Toklas. Some of the descriptions and mannerisms of these two women are pretty funny and I can about imagine how it must have been to live with them. I was somewhat confused on how these women treated Bihn and how they acted toward him- at some times in the novel it seems as though they appreciate and cherish everything he does for them as far a cooking and telling his story; but then at other points, it seems as though, consciously or unconsciously, they either undermind or criticize something he does or says.
Throughout his time in Paris, we find out a lot of information about Bihn's past. We find out why, exactly, he had been exiled from Vietnam and other reasons for why his life seems to be full of confusion, pain, and longing. Bihn is the youngest of 4 sons born into a family with an extremely abusive father and a mother who can't stand up to her husband (in a very subservient position). Later, after growing up some, Bihn comes to the realization of his sexuality- he is gay- and from what I gathered, being gay in Vietnam is more of a "disease" than it is in the United States- Bihn was pretty much kicked out of his family and his home. In the beginning of the book, we find out that he still has somewhat of contact with one of his brothers- a letter that Bihn wrote in a drunken stupor one night sharing his new life with his brother. And then we find out that even though Bihn had left and left a mark of shame on the family, his brother still cares deeply for him and just wants him to return home to Vietnam.
Overall, I think the author, Truong, did an excellent job detailing and outlining love, loss, exile, hope, and faith intertwined throughout the novel. She brought many, one of which should be sufficient for a novel, themes and issues together making a great story.