63 pages • 2 hours read
The Gangster We Are All Looking For
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Book Brief
160
Novel • Fiction
San Diego, California • 1970s
2003
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
The Gangster We Are All Looking For by Le Thi Diem Thuy follows a young Vietnamese girl and her family's struggle to adapt after fleeing war-torn Vietnam for San Diego. Living amid isolation, poverty, and a complex family dynamic, the Girl navigates her coming-of-age in America, haunted by memories of her brother and parental conflicts. The novel explores themes of trauma, displacement, and the immigrant experience in rich, metaphorical prose. This book includes depictions of domestic violence and the effects of post-traumatic stress.
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
3,193 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Gangster We Are All Looking For by Le Thi Diem Thuy is praised for its lyrical prose and vivid depiction of the Vietnamese immigrant experience. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and artistic narrative structure. Some criticisms highlight its fragmented storytelling, which can confuse readers. Overall, the novel is a powerful yet challenging read.
Who Should Read The Gangster We Are All Looking For?
Readers who enjoy deeply poetic narratives with themes of immigration, identity, and family will find The Gangster We Are All Looking For by Le Thi Diem Thuy captivating. Similar to Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club and Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, this novel beautifully explores the Vietnamese-American experience and the complexities of cultural assimilation.
3,193 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
160
Novel • Fiction
San Diego, California • 1970s
2003
Adult
16+ years
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