Anh Do nearly didn’t
make it to Australia.
His entire family
came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn
Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing – not murderous pirates, nor the
imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for
days – could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had
dreamed about.
The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring
life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache
and unswerving determination – a big life with big dreams.
Anh’s story will move
and amuse all who read it.
What a great book to start
the year with! Anh Do’s infectious optimism throughout this memoir put us all
at our happiest. We loved his positive nature and willingness to see the funny
side of such an extraordinary life. The honesty in which he portrayed his
family’s early days in their new country was a delight and we all felt anyone
who had reservations about refugees would do well to read this book. In fact,
some of us believe you wouldn’t be human if you were not moved by Do’s story.
Some believe it was mostly a testament to his mother and father and we all
found ourselves very interested in the whole Do clan. Cathy would have liked to
hear more about Anh’s sister, and everyone found favour with his father’s
philosophical view of time – ‘There are
only two types of time … now and too late.’
The many tales, both
humorous and heartbreaking, gave the book balance and Ann felt it well
written/edited with the tragic being offset by humour in just the right
measure. Anh’s comedic talent definitely shines through in his writing … we all had our favourites,
such as the fish tanks, the old combie breakdown, the RSL gig and his mother’s
roast pig dinner, so our discussion was mostly on the merry side recalling each
of these anecdotes.
However, we did touch on
some of the more serious aspects, such as the upheaval refugees and immigrants
experience, how it effects childhood and of course the racism. We all wondered
if the xenophobic traits that seem so focused on refugees today has always been
there and what will it take to create a more welcoming and accepting Australia?
All very important questions that Anh’s story was never meant to answer, but in
our view certainly generated an essential conversation.
In closing, it is fair to
say that we all got something from this book. Do’s conversational,
light-hearted patter made this vital story a pure pleasure to read.
Do yourself a favour and
pick it up soon!
