Look! Before you read the book.
Why we hate and fear poetry: Because it's hard to understand?
Mi Chau explained each poem at the back of the book. In the ebook just click on the title, and it takes you to the explanation. To return to where you were reading, click the title of the explanation (same as poem title), and you're back to the story. Easy.
In the printed paperback, the Explanation page is shown for each poem. Put a bookmark in and turn to the explanation, then return to your bookmark. Easy.
Tip: Many of the poems are just stories or rants that wouldn't bother you if they were written in paragraph form, like this. They're the same words in shorter lines.
Look! After you've read the book.
We wouldn't want you to see spoilers, so save this part for after you've read the book. Really. Wait. For example, there's a section with questions for book clubs and discussion groups. There's a place to give your feedback AFTER you've read the book. And maybe some added options that will be even more fun if you know the characters and what happens in the book.
Okay, I've read the book. Show me follow-ups and spoilers.
More features:
Questions and Prompts for Book Clubs and Discussion Groups?
Does Grampa Olver or Michael fit your image of a war hero?
Were Mikey and Bon married?
Does this book have an antagonist?
Are the male or female characters more fully developed or appealing?
How often did you look at Mi Chau’s explanations of poems as you read the book?
Did the poems add to or detract from the story?
Was Bon’s word “whores” or Burr’s racist attack near the opening too gritty for this discussion group?
Have you ever spent any time with a new immigrant who barely speaks English?
Was Emmaline’s conversion of Mi Chau from Vietnamese child to educated American credible?
Have you known anyone whose trauma affected them for decades?
Do you think Ezra knows what he’s getting into, choosing Mi as his life partner? Does Mi?
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