That Summer in Provincetown

As a baby boomer, I loved Caroline Vu's account of growing up in Vietnam during the war that I watched on television. The story, told through  stories shared by her cousin, Daniel, who is dying of AIDS, was a fascinating read of family secrets and how we cover them up to protect those that we love.

Should family secrets be told or lost with the passing of generations? That is the base premise behind this sweeping story of three generations, told against a background of war, indiscretions, homophobia and isolation. 

Though a work of fiction, "...Provincetown" carries the flavor and honesty of a delicately written memoir. As the novel changes focus from one family member's story to another, each is told as one would hand down a story from one generation to the next. Each character is a piece of this vast and intricate puzzle. Each one, essential to completing the final picture.

Author Caroline Vu documents one family's story so it is not forgotten. She never allows her characters to wallow in shame-- perhaps some regrets. In spite of the secrecy or unspoken knowledge of events, Vu's characters attack life with a flourish of intense desire to survive.

I wanted to read this book because I am visiting Vietnam in a couple of months. I hoped it would give me some insight into the history, people and culture and I was not disappointed. Vu ties this story to many world events I grew up with, creating personal connections with difficult and uncertain times. Because of the long list of characters, I did at times find myself getting confused with the family relationships and almost wish a family tree had been included for visual support.

Overall, Vu tells a fascinating tale of family, survival and moving on.

Based loosely on the author’s own history, and very well-researched, this moving novel takes place mainly in Vietnam before, during and after the Vietnam war. The plot covers 70 years and three generations of a family. Daniel, a young French-Vietnamese man, is dying from AIDS in a Montreal hospital. He’s been rejected by his family due to the nature of his illness and it’s only his cousin who is willing to visit him. Before he dies he wants to tell her of the secrets and scandals that have so scarred the extended family. The author brings a complex story to life, effectively placing it in its historical and political context and giving the reader a deeper understanding of Vietnamese society and the devastating and far-reaching effects of the war. It’s a novel of displacement and immigration, the secrets that both unite and destroy family life, and the importance of understanding the real lives behind the headlines. A very enjoyable novel indeed, and most illuminating about the Vietnamese experience.