Plot
Where was Pham born?
Phan Thiet
How old is Cuong?
29
"My faults, all my shortcomings, my wrongs against Chi-Minh, pale away, disintegrating, in this desert-ocean-peace."
Ch. 46 pg 338
Coke is reserved for special events such as what?
First dates/wedding banquets
What city is considered America's Little Saigon according to the book?
Santa Ana
What is the name of Pham's friend who is a tour guide?
Cuong
What was the name of the man that Pham punched in ch 40?
Bloody-Mustache
"...three hyenas tearing into the ruptured belly of a deer."
Ch. 41 pg 311
Why doesn't Cuong want to "understand" America?
Because he thinks he (and all Viet-kieu) wouldn't belong in America or feel like an American
Why did Pham's grandfather chase Uncle Hien's friends with a machete?
Uncle Hien's friends were giving Uncle Hien a mini saw to cut his way out of a chain.
What was Pham reminded of when he heard two men talking bad about him and Viet-kieu in general?
He was reminded of the mob that nearly lynched him in Ham Tan
What name did Cuong go by so it was easier for foreigners to pronounce?
Calvin
"He was an intellectual, the quintessential Vietnamese, a man given to passion and mountainous determination."
Ch. 43 pg 321
What was the mom's favorite city?
Nha Trang
What was Pham's grandfather addicted to?
Opium
Why did Pham's father not want to retire?
He said his mind would not rest and implied that this was his punishment for punishing Chi
Besides Bloody-Mustache, what did Pham call the other man mentioned in that section?
Cross-eyed
"I could hear chopsticks rattling in her head, calculating, gauging the omens, scheming."
Ch. 42 pg 315
Pham told Cuong that Americans use to call cigarettes what?
White slavers
Who did Pham tell about Huy's sexuality?
Their mom
In Ch 46, what is the main thing that Pham realizes?
He realizes that he should not blame himself for his wrongs against Minh and that Minh doesn't blame Pham for anything.
What is the name of Huy's roommate?
Ray
"Vietnamese are Vietnamese if they believe they are."
Ch. 44 pg 326
What did Minh's death give Huy?
Bravery to come out and to make his peace with everyone
Name one of the things Pham's father had to go through as a child.
- First son of an abusive aristocrat
- Teen who lost his mother
- Refugee from North Vietnamese Communists
- an escapee from Communist Vietnam
- a prisoner in a labor and reeducation camp