Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir

Now in paperback, Thi Sui's intimate and moving portrait of her family's journey from their war-torn home in Vietnam to their new lives in America

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 17 April 2018
Publisher: Abrams

"The Best We Could Do" is a powerful and poignant graphic novel that delves into the experiences of a family fleeing war-torn Vietnam. Written by debut author Thi Bui, this beautifully illustrated and emotional story explores the themes of immigration, displacement, and the search for a better future.

The novel follows the journey of a young girl named Ly, her parents, and her younger sister as they escape Vietnam in the 1970s after the fall of South Vietnam. Bui vividly depicts the challenges and hardships they face as they navigate a new country, trying to rebuild their lives and find a sense of belonging.

Through Ly's eyes, we witness the struggles of immigration, including the fear, uncertainty, and isolation that come with leaving everything familiar behind. We see the family's resilience as they adapt to their new environment, learning a new language, finding work, and building new relationships.

But the journey is not without its emotional toll. Bui explores the anguish of displacement, the loss of loved ones, and the difficult adjustment to a new way of life. She documents the family's daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam, the challenges they faced in their new home, and the struggles they endured as they tried to assimilate into a different culture.

At the heart of "The Best We Could Do" is a universal struggle: the challenges of being a first-time mother while also trying to navigate the complexities of adulthood. Bui beautifully portrays the emotional journey of Ly as she learns to balance the responsibilities of being a parent with her own desires and aspirations. She explores the depths of unspoken love, the sacrifices parents make for their children, and the strength of family bonds.

Through her haunting, poetic writing and breathtaking art, Bui examines the meaning of home, identity, and the search for a better future. She provides inspiration to all those who long for a simpler past while also striving for a better future.

"The Best We Could Do" has received numerous accolades, including being named a National bestseller 2017 by the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) and a Finalist by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) Indies. It was also selected as a Winter/Spring 2017 Selection by the ABA Indies and a Spring 2017 Selection by Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers. The novel was also included in the 2018 Notable Books Selection by the American Library Association (ALA).

In a review for The New York Times, Viet Thanh Nguyen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, praised "The Best We Could Do" as "a book to break your heart and heal it." Nguyen praised Bui's writing for its "haunting, poetic beauty" and her ability to "bring to life the complexities of a family's journey with tenderness and grace."

"The Best We Could Do" is a powerful and unforgettable story that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of family bonds. Bui's debut novel is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the complexities of immigration, displacement, and the search for a better future."

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 228 x 169 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781419718786