Description
A New York Times Notable Book of the Year
Winner of the Whiting Writers' Award
A Seattle Post-Intelligencer Best Book of the Year
Catfish and Mandala is the story of an American odyssey—a solo bicycle voyage around the Pacific Rim to Vietnam—made by a young Vietnamese-American man in pursuit of both his adopted homeland and his forsaken fatherland. Intertwined with an often humorous travelogue spanning a year of discovery is a memoir of war, escape, and ultimately, family secrets.
Andrew X. Pham was born in Vietnam and raised in California. His father had been a POW of the Vietcong; his family came to America as "boat people." Following the suicide of his sister, Pham quit his job, sold all of his possessions, and embarked on a year-long bicycle journey that took him through the Mexican desert; on a thousand-mile loop from Narita in South Korea to Kyoto in Japan; and, after five months and 2,357 miles, to Saigon, where he finds "nothing familiar in the bombed-out darkness." In Vietnam, he's taken for Japanese or Korean by his countrymen, except, of course, by his relatives, who doubt that as a Vietnamese he has the stamina to complete his journey ("Only Westerners can do it"); and in the United States he's considered anything but American. A vibrant, picaresque memoir written with narrative flair and an eye-opening sense of adventure, Catfish and Mandala is an unforgettable search for cultural identity.
Details
Embark on a captivating journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration with Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam. Winner of prestigious awards, this New York Times Notable Book of the Year is a compelling memoir intertwined with a gripping travelogue that will transport you through the heart of Vietnam. Join Andrew X. Pham on his solo odyssey that delves into his past, family secrets, and the complexities of identity.
Experience the exhilaration of traversing the Pacific Rim through the eyes of a young Vietnamese-American man in search of his roots. From the dusty roads of the Mexican desert to the bustling streets of Saigon, follow Pham's extraordinary bicycle journey that challenges perceptions and transcends borders. Catfish and Mandala offers a unique blend of humor, poignant reflections, and unforgettable encounters that will leave you spellbound.
Immerse yourself in a narrative that weaves together themes of war, escape, and resilience against the backdrop of captivating landscapes and profound cultural insights. As Pham grapples with his dual identity and ancestral ties, you'll be drawn into a rich tapestry of emotions and revelations that resonate on a universal level. Catfish and Mandala is a literary gem that invites readers to ponder the complexities of belonging and the enduring power of family bonds.
Ready to embark on a transformative literary voyage unlike any other? Dive into the pages of Catfish and Mandala and surrender to the beauty of Pham's evocative storytelling. Discover the profound connections between past and present, East and West, and embark on a journey of self-discovery that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page.
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