This is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family's history that began before he was born. It tells of Vietnam, of the lasting impact of war, and of his family's struggle to forge a new future. And it serves as a doorway into parts of Little Dog's life his mother has never known - episodes of bewilderment, fear and passion - all the while moving closer to an unforgettable revelation.
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(@vintagebooks, 20 June 2019, 237 pages, ebook, borrowed from @GlasgowLib via @OverDriveLibs)
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I've wanted to read more of Yong's work since I read his incredible poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds. This has been reserved at my library for almost six months and I'm so glad I finally got a chance to read it. I thought this was an incredible book. I didn't want it to end. The style, language and tone is similar to his poetry. I loved the title; it fits the book perfectly. Little Dog writes to his mother even though he knows she cannot read. Through his letters he explores his heritage and his own identity and sexuality. The book is incredibly sad at times as Little Dog experiences almost impossible to imagine loss and tragedy. I loved every word of this book and the characters felt like old friends. I didn't want this beautiful book to end.