The Mountains Sing Audiobook By Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai cover art

The Mountains Sing

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The Mountains Sing

By: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Narrated by: Quyen Ngo
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About this listen

With the epic sweep of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko and Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing and the lyrical beauty of Vaddey Ratner's In the Shadow of the Banyan, The Mountains Sing tells an enveloping, multigenerational tale of the Trần family, set against the backdrop of the Việt Nam War.

Trần Diệu Lan, who was born in 1920, was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Land Reform as the Communist government rose in the North. Years later in Hà Nội, her young granddaughter, Hương, comes of age as her parents and uncles head off down the Hồ Chí Minh Trail to fight in a conflict that tore not just her beloved country, but her family apart.

Vivid, gripping, and steeped in the language and traditions of Việt Nam, The Mountains Sing brings to life the human costs of this conflict from the point of view of the Vietnamese people themselves, while showing us the true power of kindness and hope. The Mountains Sing is celebrated Vietnamese poet Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai's first novel in English.

©2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC
Coming of Age Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction War & Military World Literature Heartfelt Inspiring Tearjerking War Vietnamese Language Learning
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Featured Article: The Best Vietnam War Audiobooks, Fiction and Nonfiction


Over the past four decades, many people have written about the Vietnam War in an effort to make sense of the raging debates, the staggering death and destruction, and the lingering trauma. History is often complicated, biased, or missing key information, especially when it comes to war. Arm yourself with comprehensive knowledge of the conflict with our selection of titles detailing the Vietnam War, from fiction to nonfiction, personal stories to histories.

What listeners say about The Mountains Sing

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Gripping story of life in Vietnam

As someone who grew up during the Vietnam war, it wasn’t discussed with us at home or in school as I was too young at the time. This book is a gripping account of life in North Vietnam and even before during war time. It’s just awful what happened to the Vietnamese people and even what some did to each other.

So glad I have the audio book to hear the correct pronunciation of names as well as to hear the few tidbits of songs in the native language.

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3 people found this helpful

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novel spanning decades of Vietnamese history




ĺearned a lot in this beautifully told historical novel spanning decades of Vietnamese history. A tribute to the power of love, human kindness, and family despite war, famine, and loss.

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1 person found this helpful

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Riveting & Enlightening

As a Vietnam War combat veteran, I was enlightened about humanity of some of those demonized during the conflict.
Likewise, this novel revealed the terrible suffering and injustices inflicted on North Vietnamese citizens during the Land Reform era of the mid-1950s.
Impressive story telling craftsmanship — I was moved to tears several times.
Truly an impressive writer!!!
Thanks for enlightening and educating me.

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Fantastic

So beautifully written. This book pulls at your heartstrings and opens your eyes to love and hope. Even in terrible times. An absolute fantastic book!

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lyrical

The partnership between the author's words and the narrator's voice make for an enjoyable listening experience. The sounds and rhythms create images of a place full of anguish and of people determined to survive.

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This!!!

Loved every minute of this! I learned so much from this multi generation story. The narration was amazing!

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Heart Touching

Never have I had a story move me as much as this has. heart Touching

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Amazing

Well wow. I downloaded this audiobook without previewing or reading a full review- just wanted something for a long car ride. In my career as a social worker I provided therapy for combat and sexual trauma survivors so this was relevant to me. But the writing and weaving together of the lives of these characters was really astounding, painful and uplifting. I’m so glad I listened rather than read as the narrator provided pronunciation and an accent that was a valuable addition. What a beautiful and emotional narration.
But one of the most powerful aspects of this book is the author’s remarkable ability to depict trauma. It was so painful and real; so layered and complex. And so authentic. What kept me thinking that things would improve in the story was that Grandma kept going, kept making food, giving love even after everything she went through- it was what allowed me to keep listening .. and the granddaughter’s powerful demands that pushed people to begin healing.
And then there was the war itself. Listening to mirror reflections of North Vietnamese warriors describing what American veterans describe in combat is just heartbreaking. But the story was remarkably uplifting. It’s a five star book, easily. My thanks to the author for giving us this work of insight and healing. It’s truly remarkable!

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This book is a lovesong to the Vietnamese people

This book is so beautiful. The narration was heartfelt. I cannot say enough how beautiful and tragic it is; yet it is the story of so many Vietnamese people and the suffering they endured in their country. I learned so much and gained a hunger to know more. At the root of it all is love and family. The author did a perfect job conveying those themes. This book is a treasure.

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Touching story showing there wasn't a "right side"

Touching story showing there wasn't a "right side" in Vietnam. Both sides were brutal and wrong. The commoners suffered.

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