Finished another book off of my Canada Reads long list... I had the ebook requested from the library for awhile... but it took so long to come up I had forgotten. oh, I am so glad I am done this story... not because it was a bad read, or poorly written, or dull, because nothing could be further from true... but because it was sad, and hard, and gave me restless sleep and weird dreams
All the Broken Things by Kathryn Kuitenbrouwe is a story of a Vietnamese immigrant boy and family in Canada 5 years after fleeing. It tackles issues surrounding Agent Orange and Canada's role in manufacturing it, bullying and immigration, boyhood and coming of age, and so many under themes it's hard to pinpoint them all.
The authors writing style is similar to John Irvings... which is about the highest compliment you will get from me, since he is the author of my most favourite book ever... A Prayer for Owen Meany. The storyline itself takes many unexpected turns, and has many strongly written characters flitting in and out. My only real complaint is that it was heavy, and sad, and yes so is life... I know, but I like my books to lift me out of that mentality. I liked it though, and would read it all over again if I were to go back knowing it was so sad... but I know I will never revisit this read again either.