1990s, Finland. A Vietnamese family tries to organize their life. Má, the mother, dreams of wealth, Hieu dreams of girls his age. The narrator, the youngest child, recounts daily life, punctuated by his mother’s efforts to integrate into the community. Despite her inventiveness, Má’s attempts clash with stifling social codes and the desires of her children, driven by contrary motivations. One morning, their existence changes when a police officer knocks on their door.
Presented as suggestive snapshots, this enchanting debut novel plunges us into the story of this family torn between their desire for integration and their connection to their original community.
