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Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1999

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Book Brief

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Andrew X. Pham

Catfish And Mandala

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

353

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Vietnam • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Catfish and Mandala, Andrew X. Pham chronicles his cycling journey through Vietnam in search of identity, revisiting his birthplace for the first time since his family's escape in 1977. As he navigates the changed landscapes, he faces cultural alienation and mixed hospitality. Alongside, Pham weaves narratives of his family's adaptation to American life and his sister's life story and challenges. The book discusses topics such as familial conflict, gender transition, and suicide.

Contemplative

Adventurous

Melancholic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

7,457 ratings

76%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham is a poignant memoir that explores themes of identity, culture, and displacement. Readers appreciate the vivid storytelling and rich cultural insights but note occasional narrative detours. Pham's journey cycling through Vietnam captivates, though some find it unevenly paced. Overall, it's a heartfelt and evocative read that resonates with many.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Catfish And Mandala?

Readers who enjoy Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham are typically drawn to personal memoirs, travel narratives, and cross-cultural explorations. Fans of Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior and Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods will appreciate Pham's reflections on identity and his immersive journey through Vietnam.

4.2

7,457 ratings

76%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

353

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Vietnam • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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