I’m thrilled to share that my new book, “Hawker Dreams–A Vietnamese American in Singapore” will be featured at the Tucson Books Festival this weekend. If you’re in Tucson this Saturday, please come join us. If not, please still check out “Hawker Dreams!” Discover Singapore, a rule-abiding city-state where nearly a third of its six million inhabitants are foreigners, each with a story to tell. Come along with me for these stories and, of course, Singapore’s scrumptious eats!
Hello Oanh, I am 3/4 of the way through reading your most recent book Hawker Dreams. I ordered it on amazon right away, having read your first book too “Of Monkey Bridges..”. I discovered your writing through The Wall St Journal with the essay they published for Father’s Day in 2013. I had cut it out of the paper – I was still getting a physical paper then – and still have it. I cried thinking about my own father when I first read it in 2013 and still cry when I read your story about your own dad. My father’s story was kind of opposite to yours in that my father was born into a poor family in Michigan. so the first part of his life wasn’t easy, but it got easier over time as he had career success here in the U.S. But he was also in the military, having served in WWII and also in Korea as Navy officer. He was not in battle situations but was at risk on the ships from torpedos. He was the 1st person in his immediate family to go to college, and like your dad he worked very hard to provide for our family. Of course he was American born and in the system here, so he did not have the obstacles of language and culture. He was a wonderful father, and I miss him every day. I also sometimes have very similar dreams like you describe, where I am at a family party and he is there with us all. For an instant in the dream I am happy to see him, then I remember he is dead, and I feel awful, wondering how he must feel. I also have dreamed of hugging him. Your description of all this is so similar to my dreams that it makes me cry every time I read your essay. And I don’t cry much. So now I’m reading Hawker Dreams. I can relate to this book also as my family lived overseas several times due to my father’s job. We were expat’s and I understand the whole 3rd culture experience. I am probably 3rd culture too, as my husband is French, now a naturalized American. So all this to say that I really appreciate your writing and I’m so glad the Wall St Journal recognized it too. Perhaps the editor at the WSJ who first read your essay had the same reaction I did, missing her/his father, and realized the essay had to be published. Good luck with your writing and family, best wishes for Easter, Tracy Hart, Vero Beach FL
Dear Tracy,
I only just saw your comment, and I apologize for my late response. I was moved reading your heartfelt note, especially the part about your father’s life story and his career in the Navy. Life can feel lonely at times, but instances like this make it feel so much less so. Below the surface, we all share much in common. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and for your kind wishes.
Warmly, Oanh