The Coconut Children

Vivian Pham started writing The Coconut Children at 16 (!!) and published it at 19. It explains why the teenagers in this story felt like actual teens, as well as why the dialogue between them was realistic. The writing in itself is both beautiful and overblown. There's some amazing passages, but also others that would benefit from less embellishment and editing. Though that may be attributed to her adolescent life as a writer. However, this means there's only room to grow, which is why I'm definitely keeping an eye on her. Additionally, the showcasing of the Vietnamese culture, often in the form of conversations in vietnamese and traditional food, was lovely to read.

Although autumn had already found its way into surrounding regions, our beloved suburb had bargained with the seasons and won itself more sunlit hours.

The Coconut Children

Every metamorphosis has its melancholy. Every born blossom already feels itself beginning to be forgotten. But ask the tree how it gets through summer, autumn, winter, spring, and it will tell you about the ending of everything.