52 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
272
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1930s
2003
Adult
18+ years
The Book of Salt by Monique Truong, set in the 1920s and 1930s, follows Binh, a young, gay Vietnamese cook who flees Saigon after an affair with a French chef and navigates life in Paris, where he works for Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Binh grapples with his identity while forming complex relationships, ultimately choosing between returning to Vietnam or staying in Paris, haunted by memories of familial rejection and past trauma. The book refers to physical self-harm and heavy alcohol use.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Emotional
Bittersweet
6,792 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Monique Truong's The Book of Salt is praised for its evocative prose and rich, sensory descriptions, immersing readers in 1930s Paris. The narrative's exploration of identity and exile is poignant, though some find its pace languid and structure complex. Overall, it's a vivid and thought-provoking read that may appeal more to literary fiction enthusiasts.
Ideal for readers who enjoy rich, lyrical prose and historical fiction, The Book of Salt by Monique Truong appeals to those intrigued by immigrant stories, culinary arts, and literary figures. Fans of The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain would find this novel captivating.
6,792 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Old Man
Binh’s father, a stern and religious figure whose critical voice haunts Binh even from afar.
Binh's Mother
A loving and resilient presence in Binh's life, who offers support and an alternative spiritual perspective.
Anh Minh
Binh’s oldest brother, regarded highly by their father, who represents protection and familial duty.
Gertrude Stein
An influential American writer and host of a literary salon in Paris where Binh works as a cook.
Alice B. Toklas
Stein’s devoted partner, known for her culinary skills and compassion towards Binh.
Dr. Marcus Lattimore
A charming but ultimately untrustworthy salon attendee with whom Binh has an affair.
The Man on the Bridge
A mysterious Vietnamese man whom Binh meets in Paris, embodying an idealized sense of connection and identity.
272
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1930s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.