Book Club’s next book, “The Magic Fish” by Trung Le Nguyen, is a stunning coming-of-age graphic novel centered around a Vietnamese family living in America. The story is told in three interconnected narratives: past, present, and fairy tale, denoted by different colors.
In the present, thirteen-year-old Tiến Phong connects with his mother through fairy tales, which he reads to her in an effort to help her practice her English. Tien, though close with his parents, struggles to find a way to come out to them while also navigating a crush on his best friend. Simultaneously, Tiến’s mother, Hiền, embarks on a separate yet connected journey, reckoning with the realities of her immigration to America as she tries to save the money required to visit her ailing mother in Vietnam.
The imagery in “The Magic Fish” is stunning. Nguyen’s skill as an artist is undeniable; his bold line-work and visually dense illustrations bring the story to life. The use of a singular color to differentiate between time periods and realties is also notable; its simplicity negates the confusion of juggling different narrative arcs and allows readers to focus on the stories and the parallels between them.
Nguyen’s storytelling ability is likewise brilliant. His framing of the narrative with fairy tales manages to be refreshing despite the often oppressive prevalence of such stories. Perhaps most unique is the sheer simplicity of the writing. Though stylistically uncomplicated and easy to read, “The Magic Fish” is still a narrative of powerful complexity; Nguyen cleverly allows space for readers to draw their own conclusions, lending the novel a very tangible and genuine feeling, even with its elements of fantasy.
“The Magic Fish” is an excellent and heartfelt meditation on family, identity, language, and connection. This novel is well worth the read.
Book Club will hold their final discussion the week of May 1.