The Mountains Sing is a powerful debut novel that paints a deeply personal portrait of Vietnam’s turbulent history through the eyes of three generations of one family. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai offers a sweeping yet intimate narrative, rooted in pain, perseverance, and the quiet strength of women.
Set against the backdrop of a country torn apart by decades of war, the story follows young Huong and her grandmother Dieu Lan as they take refuge in the mountains during the American bombings of Hanoi. For Huong, war has always been an abstract force—something that stole her parents away. But as the violence encroaches on their present reality, it becomes all too real.
Returning to a city in ruins, the two begin the slow process of rebuilding, not just their home, but also a sense of hope. To give her granddaughter strength, Dieu Lan recounts the epic story of her life: from her privileged childhood under French rule to the brutal years of Japanese invasion, the land reforms that shattered her family, and the harrowing journey that forced her to abandon her children in order to save them.
Nguyễn’s prose is vivid and poetic, capturing both the beauty of the Vietnamese landscape and the heartbreak of its history. What sets this novel apart is its focus on personal experience rather than politics. The suffering is real, but so is the love that sustains these characters through unimaginable trials.
The Mountains Sing is not just a war story—it’s a celebration of the human spirit. Through its alternating timelines and deeply emotional storytelling, it highlights the power of memory, the importance of legacy, and the enduring strength found in family.
Verdict: A haunting, hopeful, and unforgettable journey through a country and a family’s darkest hours.