House of Sticks tells the story of Ly Tran, her 3 brothers and her parents following their relocation from Vietnam to Queens, New York. It is a beautifully told story of perseverance, hardship, mental illness and trauma.

Upon arrival in America, young Ly Tran is filled with optimism and hope. She is too young to see that her mercurial father is haunted by his years in a Vietnamese prison and that those ghosts would repeatedly stand in the way. Despite her family living in abject poverty, Ly instead chooses to look towards the future and the promise of what their lives could be.

However, Ly’s youthful optimism begins to crumble as the realities of her life wear her down - including failing eyesight, abuse at the hands of her father, depression and the realization of her status as “other” in white America.

Determined to get an education and create a better life for herself, Ly leans on her circle of friends and loved ones and forges a path through her past traumas.

I loved every moment of this book. Yes, it is a raw memoir and is often difficult to read due to the traumatic elements in Ly’s life but it is also inspiring and moving and is definitely one of the best books memoirs I have ever read.

Wasn't able to access the ecopy but got the physical copy from my library once it was released. I always find reviewing memoirs to be rather gauche given that I don't think I (or anyone for that matter) has the right to judge or critique someone's life story. That being said, this was a compelling memoir that was frustrating to read solely because of how much trauma was inflicted onto Ly throughout it. This was a moving story front to back with a thoughtful end that I'd recommend to anyone who likes reading memoir!

This was heartbreaking and yet inspiring. To see what we take for granted being born in a place. Truly felt all the failures and accomplishments along with the author.

House of Sticks is one of dichotomies; the story is so straight forward and yet so complex. As well, being privy to Ly Tran’s innermost thoughts demonstrated that as humans, we are all the same; we just want to fit in. However, Ly Tran’s life as an immigrant was difficult, heartbreaking, and so different from my own. This illuminating journey will stay with me for a very long time. Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book, all comments and opinions are my own.

A memoir not easily forgotten. House of sticks tells about an immigrant family, the youngest of which tells her own story.
Arriving in America they are escorted to an apartment with one bedroom and a bathroom. There are 6 of them, the parents, 3 sons and daughter Ly. Impoverished and with the father unable to find a job, they live on an occasional bowl of rice. Unable to speak English further hinders their chances. Months go by, the father searches for clothes and shoes, food, old furniture, and other items in garbage cans, but there is a determination to succeed somehow, after all they have come to the Land of Opportunity.

Ly’s three brothers go to school and gradually learn to speak English, Ly learns some too and is eventually old enough to start kindergarten. She talks of the ragged clothes she wears and feels isolated from her fellow classmates who often make fun of her. But Ly is very bright and dedicates herself to her school work. School is an escape from her often violent father, and her mother who doesn’t stand up for herself or the family.

Ly’s family life plays a major role in the story but I do not want to give any spoilers, I want you to read the story for yourself. A book I could not put down and highly recommend.

I truly enjoy biographies; Ly Tran’s memoir House of Sticks makes it to the top of my list of the good ones! Tran’s family immigrated to the USA from war-torn Vietnam. Her father spent nearly a decade as a POW and subsequently suffered from PTDS. At the age of three Ly was helping her family including her three older brothers sewing ties and cummerbunds piece-meal on their living room floor to make ends meet. By the age of 12, she was working every day at the nail salon, always helping her parents try to live above the poverty line.

The familiar background of immigrant families doing what they could for a better life for their children, but not completely understanding their surroundings makes this story recognizable but powerful. Tran shares her experiences from hunger and racism to learning a new language and culture, first through her young eyes then as a woman navigating the expectations of her traditional parents while she tries to achieve her own dreams. Letting people into her life and help guide her was life-changing. The biggest and best decision she made before starting Columbia was to never let circumstances decide her fate. This one resolution had an amazing outcome for her future.

Trans story is a reminder that “we are not alone in our journey through life, even when we feel isolated and different from those around us”.

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

NetGalley gave me an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for sharing my opinions. Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of my control, I did not have the time to read this book before it was archived. I do really look forward to reading it some day, as the premise sounds very interesting!

This memoir is Tran's first book. In 1993 at the age of three she and her family immigrated to New York city from Vietnam. Her dad had been in the south Vietnamese army and when the USA left in 1975 he and other soldiers were arrested and sent to retraining camps. After nearly a decade he was released weighing only 75 pounds and now suffering PTSD. Through an American sponsorship program for such soldiers he was eventually able to get permission to immigrate. There Tran, her three older brothers and parents lived below the poverty line. They produced clothing from their small apartment for meagre wages and all of the children were expected to contribute. When during school years Tran realizes she needs glasses her father refuses to even think about it, believing it to be a government conspiracy to harm her eyesight. Tran narrates her story of struggle and survival from a young child to a young adult. This fascinating memoir is a wonderful recommendation for fans of books such as "Educated" and "The Glass Castle". I really enjoyed it.

It takes courage to write a memoir like this one. The author writes beautifully and with candour about her experiences as a daughter of immigrants and her turbulent relationship with her parents. As a daughter of immigrants myself, so much of what she has written rings true for me as well, the cultural expectations in particular. Her honest journey toward forgiveness and healing is authentic and offers pathos to those who have found themselves in similar circumstances. A wonderful book. I'm glad I read it.