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About this item
Highlights
- NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by New York Public Library - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Publishers Weekly In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents.
- 12 Years
- 8.1" x 5.7" Paperback
- 256 Pages
- Juvenile Fiction, General
Description
About the Book
"It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiâãen, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through? Is there a way to tell them he's gay?"--Book Synopsis
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by New York Public Library - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Publishers Weekly In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he's gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories. "One of the most astounding graphic novels of the year" -Entertainment WeeklyTien and his mother may come from different cultures--she's an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he's been raised in America--but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased. But as much as Tien's mother's English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there's one conversation that still eludes him--how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he's going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him? This beautifully illustrated graphic novel speaks to the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together even when we don't know the words. "A lyrical masterpiece." -BuzzFeed
Review Quotes
A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 2020 Blue Ribbon Selection "[A] gorgeously drawn...story of a first-generation Vietnamese American who is struggling with coming out to his parents." --Forbes "A sparkling debut...about the child of Vietnamese immigrants who teaches through fairy tales--yet wrestles with how to come out to his family." --The Washington Post "Infused with emotional depth and integrity, this coming-of-age story broadens the range of Vietnamese American creative voices in books for young people." --The Horn Book, Starred Review "Warm, loving family and friends are a refreshing alternative to immigrant stories that focus on family problems. Beautifully illustrates how sharing old stories can be the best way to learn how to share new ones." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "The magic happens here on every page, the perfection personified by debut author/artist Nguyen's autobiographical homage to the infinite power of storytelling." --Booklist, Starred Review "Nguyen's poignant debut captures the perspectives of, and essence of the bond between, a parent and child, proving that language--and love--can transcend words." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "How do you tell stories within stories within stories? Ask Trung Le Nguyen, who seamlessly blends family history, fairy tales, and a 1998 coming-out tale in this remarkable intergenerational graphic novel." --The Bulletin, Starred Review
About the Author
Trung Le Nguyen, also known as Trungles, is a comic book artist and illustrator working out of Minnesota. He received his BA from Hamline University in 2012, majoring in Studio Art with a concentration in oil painting and minoring in Art History. He has contributed work for Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, Limerence Press, and Image Comics. He is particularly fond of fairy tales, kids' cartoons, and rom-coms of all stripes. The Magic Fish is his debut graphic novel.Dimensions (Overall): 8.1 Inches (H) x 5.7 Inches (W) x .8 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.05 Pounds
Suggested Age: 12 Years
Number of Pages: 256
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Sub-Genre: General
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Format: Paperback
Author: Trung Le Nguyen
Language: English
Street Date: October 13, 2020
TCIN: 80358058
UPC: 9781984851598
Item Number (DPCI): 247-47-7255
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.8 inches length x 5.7 inches width x 8.1 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.05 pounds
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100% would recommend
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Beautifully Written & Illustrated
5 out of 5 stars
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Rhi - 3 years ago
Gay & Vietnamese Rep If this graphic novel isn’t on your radar, you need to add it! The Magic Fish is a story about a gay boy trying to find the words to tell his Vietnamese Refugee parents that he’s gay. So the whole book is centered around trying to find a common language with his family. Not only do we have Tien’s perspective, we have a flash back of his parents escape from Vietnam, and a collection of fairytales. Each of these “perspectives” is color coded, which makes it easy to understand the overall flow of the story. My favorite part of this was the fairytales from around the world that are told. It contained both a German version of Cinderella & a Vietnamese version, along with a Hans Christina Andersen version of The Little Mermaid. This was such a well written & illustrated graphic novel, it’s a crime not to add it on to your TBR.
Loved it!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
tdinh - 3 years ago
Really great graphic novel. It’s awesome to read a piece from a local (MN) and Vietnamese writer. Will definitely recommend to others.
The Magic of Family, Acceptance, And Stories
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Termarcap - 5 years ago
This graphic novel explores themes of family, belonging, and the magic of stories. Tiến's family uses the medium of fairy tales to understand their history, to find common ground in the present, and to pave a future of understanding and acceptance. Nguyen's beautiful storytelling is taken to the next level through his gorgeous illustrations and brilliant costuming. My favorite fairytale was the retelling of The Little Mermaid, with a sinisterly beautiful hammerhead sea witch and an unexpected twist in the end. There are few books that stay with me like this one has; I have not stopped thinking of the beauty, the heartbreak, and the hope contained in each tale. I could not put it down and finished it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book, especially for families with queer young people and families who have experienced immigration. This book helped me find hope during these dark times. I can't wait to see what comes next for Trung Le Nguyen!