From my blog: Always With a Book

I was thrilled when Cindy from the Thoughts of a Page Podcast selected this book for her Patreon group to read early as I had already had my eye on it. I love multigenerational family sagas and knew this was something I would love to read, plus I am always on the lookout for debut authors and that cover just drew me in…isn’t it stunning? I might have to get a hardcopy just to display!

This book follows three generations of women and really looks into just how complicated the relationships between mothers and daughters can be. It moves back and forth from Vietnam to Florida, and not having read many books set in Vietnam, nor set during the Vietnam War, I really appreciated this aspect of the book. I loved how we slowly get to know each of the women, how their histories and secrets slowly unravel so that you come to understand the choices they have made and why things have happened as they did. There is tremendous character growth throughout the novel and I loved seeing this as the book progresses. I didn’t care much for Ann in the beginning of the book, but she definitely grew on me as we learned more about her.

I loved the structure of the book. The story alternates between the three women, however we are hearing from Minh, the matriarch of the family, in the afterlife because she has just passed away as the story has started. This was a bit jarring at first and definitely took some getting used to, but really didn’t seem too crazy when put together with the overall story.

I was completely engrossed with this story and am in awe that this is a debut novel. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what comes next from this talented author!

Bayan Moon is the story of three strong women: grandmother Minh, daughter Huong, and granddaughter Ann. Minh lived in Vietnam until the 1970s, when she used every resource she had to emigrate with her family to the US. Huong remembers her mother as mostly being absent, until Huong's marriage failed, and Minh urged her to come home. Ann grew up resenting her mother, but very close to her grandmother.
When Minh dies, she wills the crumbling, junk-filled Banyan House to both Huong and Ann. Their job, in addition to clearing out the house and uncovering secrets, is to negotiate a new relationship with each other.

Ann Tran seems to have a content life with her boyfriend. Just as their relationship begins to fall apart, Ann gets a phone call from Huong, her mother, and she informs her that her grandmother, Minh, has passed away. Ann goes to her childhood home but it isn't easy with her estranged relationship with her mother. As Ann and her mother grieve, they must navigate how to move on from their pasts and find their way back to one another.

This story was a multi-generational story told from three perspectives: Ann, Huong, and Minh. As with many books that have multiple points-of-view, it took me a while to feel connected to the characters and their stories. Reading stories from more than two POVs always feels splintered to me. Once we got to see more of Minh's story from her time in Vietnam and Huong's story from her marriage, I couldn't put the book down. They each had intriguing back stories that showed how strong they were. Minh and Huong had to survive some tragic things and I was in awe of how strong they seemed to be in spite of it all.

Ann was my least favorite character of the three along the way, but she won me over in the end. I thought it was interesting to see the differences a generation makes in terms of parent-child dynamics. There were some scenes where I couldn't stop thinking "I would never speak to my mother that way" - but in some ways it made sense because she was raised differently from her own mother, who was an immigrant herself.

This was an intriguing family drama mixed with historical fiction. I enjoyed seeing my parents' culture on the page through Minh's flashbacks of her life in Vietnam.

⚠️: infidelity, death of a loved one, grief, depression, suicidal thoughts, war, domestic violence, child abuse, murder

Set in a muggy Florida beach town, this debut novel is told from the perspectives of three generations of Vietnamese American women: grandmother Minh, mother Huang, and daughter Ann. (I will say, one of the hardest things for me to get used to in this book was that someone was named Ann Tran, a name that while not unrealistic, kept making me laugh). The prologue, which showcases the deep but sometimes fraught relationship between these three women as they witness a red tide in Ann’s childhood, is a gorgeous piece of writing.

Above all, this is a love letter to single mothers. For various reasons, which are revealed over the course of novel, all three have become single mothers (Ann realizes she’s pregnant early in the novel). The narration switches consistently between the three viewpoints, Ann always in the present, Huong sometimes in the present and sometimes in the past, and Minh, who passes away at the beginning of the novel, always in flashbacks. Minh leaves Ann and Huong her decaying mansion, the Banyan House, and they move back in and (re)discover family secrets.

I was impressed with how well Thai could handle so many different timelines, but the time jumps were signposted and the POVs very organized. I wouldn’t say these were all-time favorite characters, and I found the novel’s ending to be a bit melodramatic. Still, this is a very solid novel that I enjoyed reading.

One last thing that isn’t really about this novel—I’ve noticed in several eARCs with Vietnamese words that the orthography renders horribly. It was distracting to see Huong rendered as Hπ’Ωng every single time. I understand that these are uncorrected proofs, but I think a bit more care needs to be taken with Vietnamese words and names even at that stage.

hank you to Netgalley, Book Club Girl, and Mariner Books for the copy of Banyan House by Thao Thai. The writing in this debut is beautiful, so beautiful it propelled me through the book. This is a leisurely story of three generations of women, their relationships and their secrets. I had a little trouble connecting the different characters’ stories, which made the narrative feel disjointed.. Their stories were all interesting and could have each been separate books, but I’m not sure how they worked as one book. Even though they came together in the end it was such a long book and there was so much detail I’m not sure it was really satisfying. The writing was so lyrical I would run and buy another book by Thai without hesitation. If you want a gorgeous book about three generations of women and how the past affects the future, don’t miss this book!

Three generations of Vietnamese women, grandmother Minh, mother Huơng, and granddaughter Ann share a complicated past yet they all have one thing in common: secrets. When Minh passes away unexpectedly, Ann must decide if it's finally time to repair her relationship with her estranged mother.

I was instantly engrossed in this tale and the women's complicated relationships with each other. What are each of the women hiding, and why? Will sharing their truths help or hinder the newly formed bond between Huơng and Ann? This was an impressive debut, and I look forward to more from this author.

"Grief is a lake of perilously thin ice. You never know when you'll fall through it, or when you will fight your way back to the surface."

Location: Michigan and Florida

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Three generations of women are voiced in this novel of multiple settings. Vietnam and Florida are the key places, with Boston also part of the mix. The women’s lives are entwined and secrets are revealed. The author weaves together the women’s stories showing their strengths and similarities, which they struggle to see. The story’s rich cultural backdrop adds to this family saga.

Thanks to Mariner and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. I was especially excited to read this, as it is part of Modern Mrs. Darcy's book club this summer and her summer reading guide. The cover is so striking. I actually did read about 60% of the story, but I found that I no longer wanted to pick it up to read. I was still having trouble at that point with determining who some of the characters were. The younger generation was easier to keep track of, but because the story switched POV so often, I did have some troubles with the older generations. And by 60% nothing much was really happening, in my opinion. I just got really bored and decided not to finish. I am sure others will love this, but unfortunately this one was just not for me.

With Banyan Moon, we have a book about 3 generations of women in a Vietnamese American Family, Minh, the matriarch, Huong, her daughter, and Ann, her granddaughter. Early in the book, Minh dies, and from there, we are presented with alternating chapters about Minh, Huong, and Ann, from their viewpoints.

This is a book about generational trauma, motherhood, and the mistakes we make as we parent the next generation, while trying to correct the mistakes that our own parents made. It's not fluffy, or lighthearted, but it is moving and so worthwhile.

The book centers around the Banyan House as the main setting, a large mansion in Florida that Minh somehow acquired. Her acquisition of this house is hinted at being this great mystery, and it's the only part of the book where I was left wanting more. I would have loved to get more information about how Minh came to own the house and all its contents.

Other than that, however, I have no criticisms of this book. It presents its subject matter in a careful and thoughtful way, and the writing was very well done, I found the book easy and enjoyable to read, and the conclusion was sufficiently heartwarming, without being overly saccharine. This book is absolutely well deserved of the early buzz and praise surrounding its upcoming release.

Thank you to Book Club Girl, William Morrow Books, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

What a moving novel about female family relationships. This book focuses on three women, grandmother Minh, daughter Huơng, and granddaughter Ann and the secrets that are kept across generations. We follow these women through time in Vietnam and Florida as they grow and decide what secrets to share and what secrets to keep forever. The secrets also cause rifts between the different generations, and no matter how much the women want to be close to each other, resentment and old patterns get in the way.

This is a novel about the lives we choose to make with both the secrets that we know, and the ones we don’t. It did take me a little bit to get into the novel but I am so glad I stuck with it, I will be thinking about this one for a while.

Thank you to #MarinerBooks and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is June 27, 2023.

Banyan Moon is a sweeping family saga that follows three generations of Vietnamese American women reeling from the death of their matriarch. It spans many years and locations, from 1960s Vietnam to Florida’s wild swamplands. It speaks of a family’s inherited burdens. It is the story of mothers and daughters and their long kept secrets. Beautifully written and profoundly moving.

I enjoyed this family saga that explores the complexities and immense love between mothers and daughters. Family can mean security but it also can bring secrets and betrayals. This stunning debut allows all three women to be seen in their moments of glory but also moments of shame and regret. A common thread of love winds its way through their lives, though, ensuring that they stay connected even if they don’t know all of the secrets. Being a daughter and a mother who has lost my own mom, I related to all three women and was touched by the unknown sacrifices mothers make for their children.

The writing in this novel is just beautiful, a lyrical masterpiece. I am excited to read more by the author!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a delight this was! Incant believe this is a debut novel. The writing is superb and the character development outstanding. I so enjoyed spending time with these remarkable women and their banyan tree.

I very much enjoyed Banyan Moon, Thao Thai’s debut novel. The multi-generational story, written from the viewpoints of Minh, her daughter Huong, and her granddaughter Ann, tells of family drama and secrets and the relationships between mothers and daughters. “Secrets are a menace. They will spill from your mouth like angry, writhing eels, or they will fill you up until you combust. There is no escaping them.“ All the secrets and surprises in this story kept me turning the pages.
I also appreciated how Thao Thai made the Banyan House almost another character in the story. As a Floridian myself, I enjoyed the way she described the setting where the family lived. Part of Minh’s story took place in Vietnam, and I would have loved to learn more about her life before coming to live in Florida, although I know that wasn’t the story's focus. There were a few other details I was left wondering about, but overall I thought this was a good book and can’t wait to see what she writes next!
FYI- There were some triggers to be aware of in this book, such as domestic violence.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thoughts From a Page Podcast for the advanced copy!

What a great debut! It was a little slow to start, but once I got drawn in it was hard to put down. Loved the ending, loved how the characters fought for themselves and ultimately were true to themselves.

A compelling novel about family and fresh starts featuring three generations of women struggling against loss of home and love.

4.5/5 stars - A shining debut novel by Vietnamese-American author Thao Thai.

Taking place across different periods of time in Vietnam and Florida, "Banyan Moon" fulls a multi-generational family of Vietnamese-American women and the secrets they keep and sacrifices they make for their loved ones. Grandmother Minh passes away, leaving her daughter Hoang and granddaughter Anh to pick up the remnants of their lives. Anh has been estranged from Hoang for many years, growing up under the oversight of her grandmother in the Banyan House, a dated manor that has housed all three generation of women. Her grandmother's passing forces her to return to Florida while simultaneously serving as an escape from her long-time boyfriend Noah and his suffocating family.

We shift through each of these women's perspectives - following Minh's journey from Vietnam (which she retells from the afterlife watching over her lineage), Hoang's experience in America as she's forced to choose between her daughter and an abusive spouse, and Anh's own coming-of-age and entry into motherhood. Each of these storylines is beautifully woven and unique, yet ties to the experiences of the other women in the family, watching as they navigate the perils of motherhood and womanhood, cementing the ties between family. The complex, ever-changing relationship and dynamics between these three women is beautifully described, and feels so real-to-life and relatable; in their moments of anger, weakness, and violence, you can empathize with each one of them and the decisions they make.

I'm incredibly impressed with the writing in this novel, especially given that it's the author's first - it's lyrical and emotional, and at times startlingly poignant in the most unexpected places. It's one of the many reasons I devoured this novel in less than a weekend, and I'm sure many readers will celebrate its publication on June 27, 2023!

"Maybe then she would understand how love cannot possibly be be simple, or easy, despite all the adages to the contrary. When we choose to chisel pieces of our heart away to offer to another person, we must always make decisions. What flaws will we lift to the light? And which will we bury, in the hopes of protecting ourselves and others?"

This is a Vietnamese family’s sweeping saga following them from their lives in Vietnam to America. It is told by Minh (mother of Huong), Huong (mother of Ann) and Ann, within the timeline that ranges from 1960’s to 1990’s. It encompasses the relationships between mothers and daughters and the many secrets that they may or may not share, as well as the consequences for their choices into adulthood. I was very invested in wanting to find out more about each character and what things from their past swayed them ( either positively or negatively) to make the decisions they made as adults. Interestingly, the house Ming resides in in Florida is very much a character in this novel. You’ll have to read to find out about what tales and secrets it tells. Also, the men in the story play a key role in all 3 main characters lives and have varying influences depending on the character.
This story is rich in the descriptions of places each character takes you to. . I was able to get a good visual picture of exactly what was being depicted.
As the story unfolds going deeper and deeper into family history, I found myself wanting to keep reading and turning the pages. The ending was especially thought provoking. I did not want this story to end.
These characters will be remembered for a long time and am looking forward to reading more from Thao Thai

Banyan Moon is the debut novel from Thao Thai, and is a riveting story that focuses on the multigenerational relationships between three Vietnamese American women. The matriarch of the family, Minh, the mother, Huong, and daughter, Ann, all have a voice in the story with alternating chapters and timelines which range from 1960’s Vietnam to current day Florida Gulf Coast. Also featuring prevalently in the story is the dilapidated Florida family mansion, the Banyan House. The women and the house all hold secrets, memories, and regrets. The mother/daughter relationships are tenuous, and the story is a saga of them navigating these relationships, their own romantic relationships, and the unravelling and repair of their tangled familial branches.

I enjoyed the story with the glimpse into the Vietnamese culture and norms, the struggles and humanity of mothers and daughters each doing their best. I look forward to Thao Thai’s future novels.

Thank you to Mariner Books, Netgalley, and Cindy from Thoughts From a Page for arranging the ARC and the author discussion.

Banyan Moon is a lovely intertwining female multi-generational story about the complexities about familial relationships. The three narrators - Ann, her mother Huong and her grandmother Minh beautifully share a non-lineal story through their voices.

Ann learns that her perfect boyfriend has been cheating on her (at the same time she finds out that she is pregnant and that Minh, who raised her, has died). She simultaneously runs towards Banyan House (her childhood home) to bury Minh and to find herself again since the perfect life she has created has also made her forget who she really is. Huong, her flawed mother, is waiting to welcome and reconcile. Through the three women, we learn where their paths have crossed and diverged and how they arrived so far from one another.

I loved this story and the characters. There were a few gaps for me which is why it’s a 4.25 and not a 4.5 star review but I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a wonderful read with strong women characters and a great story. I look forward to the author’s next work – this is a powerful debut!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review