The Eaves of Heaven
by Andrew Pham
Published by Harmony
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Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali
The Eaves of Heaven is about Thong Pham’s life. His son, Andrew Pham, writes in the first person as if it were his father telling his story. In the introduction Andrew writes “I have lent his [Thong Pham’s] life stories my words…The perspectives and sentiments within are his.” Hence this book is Thing Pham’s memoir, distilled as stories he told his son, and further distilled as Andrew Pham recounts them again.
Thong Pham witnessed the French occupation of Vietnam, the Japanese occupation during World War II and the American war after World War II ended. His story is one of migration that those displaced by war experience. First he moved from his ancestral land in the Red River Delta (North Vietnam) to Hanoi, and later to Saigon. Recounted are also times when work demands pulled him away from his home and family.
Each chapter recounts an event that as a collection bring out the idyllic life of a Vietnamese child born into aristocracy, the horrors of armed conflict, the helplessness of forced migration, the plight of serving in the armed forces, and the hardships of being captured by the enemy. With these backdrops, the narrative interweaves human actions (both base and noble) that give this book its soul. As a collection of family stories, this book is a treasure trove for the Pham family.
Pham’s attention to detail effectively transports the reader “on location” so one can truly feel the rain, see the sunrise and appreciate the events are they unfold. The chapters are not in chronological order, and I found myself constantly referring to prior chapters and prior events to get a better understanding of which events had transpired, and which ones were to come. When I re-read the book, I’ll read the chapters so the events narrated are in chronological order.
For those not familiar with Vietnamese history, Pham provides adequate background to help follow the political events that transpire in Thong’s life. The Eaves of Heaven is more about human feelings and emotion than about the political turmoil that serves as its backdrop. One realizes that armed conflict and forced migration bring out the best and worst in all of us.
Armchair Interviews agrees.