40 pages • 1 hour read
Vietnamerica: A Family's Journey
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.
Book Brief
281
Graphic Memoir • Nonfiction
Vietnam • 1970s
2011
Adult
15-18 years
Super Short Summary
Vietnamerica by GB Tran is a graphic memoir tracing four generations of the Tran family, focusing on GB’s parents, Dzung Chung and Tri Huu. The narrative interweaves stories of their youth in wartime Vietnam, experiences as refugees in the US, and GB's journey to understand their sacrifices and heritage, culminating in a family trip back to Vietnam. The memoir includes depictions of emotional and physical abuse.
Emotional
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
2,157 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
GB Tran's graphic memoir Vietnamerica has been praised for its heartfelt storytelling and intricate artwork, which vividly captures his family's history and the Vietnamese American immigrant experience. Critics commend its blend of personal and historical narratives. However, some note that the non-linear timeline can be confusing. Overall, it’s a powerful exploration of identity and heritage.
Who Should Read Vietnamerica?
Fans of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi or Maus by Art Spiegelman will resonate with Vietnamerica by GB Tran. This graphic memoir is ideal for readers interested in personal, intergenerational stories of immigration, cultural identity, and the Vietnam War, depicted through evocative visuals and poignant storytelling.
2,157 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Tri Huu Tran
Tri Huu Tran
GB's father, portrayed as a stern, taciturn figure with a complex past shaped by his experiences in Vietnam. He struggles with the effects of trauma and cultural dislocation after immigrating to the United States.
Dzung Chung Tran
Dzung Chung Tran
GB's mother and the memoir’s central storyteller, who emphasizes the importance of family unity and reconciliation. She plays a key role in bridging past and present narratives within the family’s history.
281
Graphic Memoir • Nonfiction
Vietnam • 1970s
2011
Adult
15-18 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.