Book Review: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

August 16, 2024

Here I am again, with another semi-autobiographical graphic novel review. I want to start out by saying that this book was absolutely stunning. It was beautifully illustrated and the different story lines all were illustrated in different colors; the current timeline in red, the past through Tiến’s mother’s point of view in orange, and the fairytales they would read together as a family in blue.

The story follows a young man named Tiến growing up in the United States, while some of his extended family is still in Vietnam, including his ill grandmother who he has never met, but his mother talks to often. His parents are dealing with the lack of money they have coming in, while sending their families money as often as possible, to help support them. Tiến has two really great friends, who are so loving and supportive in every aspect of his life. He comes out as gay to one of his friends, but doesn’t feel like he can tell his other friend, because he has a crush on him and doesn’t want it to hurt their friendship.

I would suggest this sweet and beautiful book. There is love and compassion and grief and so much beauty. It touches on the the messiness of reality and the importance of family.