The Latehomecomer Audiobook By Kao Kalia Yang cover art

The Latehomecomer

A Hmong Family Memoir

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The Latehomecomer

By: Kao Kalia Yang
Narrated by: Kao Kalia Yang
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In the 70s and 80s, thousands of Hmong families made the journey from the war-torn jungles of Laos to the overcrowded refugee camps of Thailand and onward to the United States, all in search of a new place to call home. Decades later, their experiences remain largely unknown.

Kao Kalia Yang was driven to tell her own family's story after her grandmother’s death. The Latehomecomer is a tribute to that grandmother, a remarkable woman whose spirit held her family together through their imprisonment in Laos, their narrow escape into Thailand's Ban Vinai Refugee Camp, their immigration to St. Paul when Yang was only six years old, and their transition to life in America. It is also an eloquent firsthand account of a people who have worked hard to make their voices heard in their adopted homeland.

©2008 Kao Kalia Yang (P)2011 HighBridge Company Asian American Studies Cultural & Regional Emigration & Immigration Military Social Sciences Specific Demographics Vietnam War Wars & Conflicts

Critic reviews

"Yang tells her family’s story with grace; she narrates their struggles, beautifully weaving in Hmong folklore and culture. By the end of this moving, unforgettable book, when Yang describes the death of her beloved grandmother, readers will delight at how intimately they have become part of this formerly strange culture." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Yang intimately chronicles the immigrant experience from the Hmong perspective, providing a long-overdue contribution to the history and literature of ethnic America." ( Booklist)
Powerful Storytelling • Cultural Representation • Authentic Pronunciation • Emotional Journey • Inspiring Narrative
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Thank you for sharing the immigration experience of your family and the Hmong people.

A Wonderful Sharing of a Families Journey

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Captivating story, excellently written, and wonderfully read. I found myself surprised by many experiences of Hmong people I had never before learned about and appreciated the opportunity to build perspective and empathy.

Fantastic.

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As a Hmong woman, this book brings back memories long forgotten. I loved it.

Bravo

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Intimacy shared through heartfelt and detailed experiences. So much learned about this important parallel universe. A treasure delivered.

Spirit interwoven in the details

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An incredible story of a family’s survival and determination through the most challenging circumstances. I learned so much that I didn’t know about Hmong history and culture! I always love memoirs read by the author.

Couldn’t stop listening!

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My beautiful daughter-in-law is Hmong. I am grateful to this author for giving me more knowledge about her family's heritage and understanding the Hmong way of life. Thank you Ms. Yang.

Understanding the ways of Hmong

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I first read this beautiful book in print. I then listened to it on audible and listening to the author read is so pleasant. Yang has a peaceful voice and in many places reads like the words are poetry. I highly recommend the audio version.

Better than reading it!

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Yang reads her story with great emotion and she tells her story so well that I feel like I have come to know her and her family. Phau ntawv no zoo kawg li tiag.

Beautiful and moving

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I feel I understand the the history and hardships of the Hmong people now. So beautifully written.

beautifully written and read by the author

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Kao Kalia Yang is an amazing writer and story teller. I highly recommend reading this book.

Highly Recommend!

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