Official Review: The Chance by Bruce M Baker

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any non-fiction books such as autobiographies or political commentary books.
User avatar
smolbird
Posts: 835
Joined: 30 Nov 2020, 00:06
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 264
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smolbird.html
Latest Review: Pariah by Robert C. Swetz
fav_author_id: 2909

Official Review: The Chance by Bruce M Baker

Post by smolbird »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Chance" by Bruce M Baker.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Muoi Quan was only nine years old when the North Vietnamese army attacked and defeated the South Vietnamese forces in December 1974. Muoi didn’t know it yet back then, but life as she knew it would forever change. The Chance by Bruce M Baker and Lisa Cheng is a true story of a twelve-year-old girl’s escape from Vietnam in 1979. In this book, we read about Muoi’s life before, during, and after her journey to freedom.

After the Communists from the North took over the South, life in Cho Lon, a Chinese bubble in the South, gradually began going downhill. If they were at least eighteen years of age, men were forcibly taken from their homes to fight in the ongoing war. At school, children were being manipulated into admitting that their parents were conspiring against or hiding wealth from the government by saying that “Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh) wants all of his children to be happy and well-fed. He can’t do that if your parents are keeping things from him. Would you help?” I can’t fully express how terrified I was when I read this.

Life got extremely difficult. At some point, the Quan family even had to completely cut out meat from their diet due to its price. It didn’t help that the family was of Chinese descent, making them more desirable targets for the new government. Muoi’s father knew that the family would have to escape the country eventually. Using almost all of the family’s life savings, he bought his first son, Hung, a spot on a boat that would take escapees to Malaysia in 1979. However, what he and his wife did not expect was that Muoi would wound up boarding the ship as well. How did this happen? Will Hung and Muoi make it? Will the rest of the family escape as well? You’ll have to read the book to find out the answers to these questions.

Before reading The Chance, I knew nothing about Vietnam’s history. Reading this book not only gave me insights into the events in Vietnam in 1975, but I also learned a lot about Chinese culture. Muoi’s outgoing, stubborn, and adventurous personality made this book an enjoyable read for me. I also loved reading about Muoi’s family and their way of life. While Muoi’s escape doesn’t happen until a few chapters into the book, I didn’t feel bored reading about her experiences in the town of Cho Lon. Additionally, it isn’t difficult to keep track of the characters in the story.

I found nothing to dislike about this book. It was easy to read, and the story’s events were easy to follow. There were times when I got emotional when reading it, and I have to admit that I cried more than a few times while reading this book. It’s easy to get lost in the story and imagine it as fiction. After all, the effects of war and the experiences of those who are affected by it are so cruel that you find yourself wishing it wasn’t real. But the reality is that this story is true, and it’s only one of many stories out there about people having to flee their homes.

While there were a few errors in this book, this didn’t affect my reading experience. Much to my delight, the number of errors present isn’t large enough to warrant a deduction to the book’s overall rating. Therefore, I gladly award The Chance a perfect rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book to those who are interested in reading a refugee’s journey to freedom. However, I do not recommend it to those who are squeamish as the book contains some graphic scenes that involve blood and death.

******
The Chance
View: on Bookshelves
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
User avatar
Zaeda Amrin
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 115
Joined: 31 Mar 2020, 07:11
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 38
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-zaeda-amrin.html
Latest Review: The Mindset by Ace Bowers

Post by Zaeda Amrin »

I only have a US-centric understanding of the Vietnam War, all thanks to the public education system, so this sounds like it would be a very enlightening read. I had no idea that Chinese people were targeted by the Vietnamese government (the way they taught it in my schools, I assumed they were allies!). Fortunately, it's amazing what you can gain from reading so I will definitely be adding this to my shelf, thank you so much for the review!
User avatar
Suzer6440 xyz
Posts: 1078
Joined: 02 Jun 2019, 21:33
Favorite Book: Pearl River Mansion
Currently Reading: Five Total Strangers
Bookshelf Size: 201
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-suzer6440-xyz.html
Latest Review: The Maestro Monologue by Rob White

Post by Suzer6440 xyz »

Excellent review! Thank you . A future read for sure!
User avatar
smolbird
Posts: 835
Joined: 30 Nov 2020, 00:06
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 264
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smolbird.html
Latest Review: Pariah by Robert C. Swetz
fav_author_id: 2909

Post by smolbird »

amrinzaeda wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 10:56 I only have a US-centric understanding of the Vietnam War, all thanks to the public education system, so this sounds like it would be a very enlightening read. I had no idea that Chinese people were targeted by the Vietnamese government (the way they taught it in my schools, I assumed they were allies!). Fortunately, it's amazing what you can gain from reading so I will definitely be adding this to my shelf, thank you so much for the review!
As a Southeast Asian, I definitely learned a lot from this book. I also thought that the Chinese were allied with the Vietnamese government, but it was actually America that failed to deliver on their promise of protection at that time. Thank you for the comment and dropping by!
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
User avatar
smolbird
Posts: 835
Joined: 30 Nov 2020, 00:06
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 264
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smolbird.html
Latest Review: Pariah by Robert C. Swetz
fav_author_id: 2909

Post by smolbird »

Suzer6440 xyz wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 11:42 Excellent review! Thank you . A future read for sure!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I'm sure you won't regret reading this book. :)
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
User avatar
NetMassimo
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 7599
Joined: 24 Jul 2019, 06:37
Currently Reading: Mindweavers I
Bookshelf Size: 527
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-netmassimo.html
Latest Review: Chloe The Clone by William E. Mason
2025 Reading Goal: 60
2025 Goal Completion: 61%

Post by NetMassimo »

This seems like an interesting book to get some insights into the war in Vietnam and its various consequences. Thank you for your great review!
Ciao :)
Massimo
User avatar
smolbird
Posts: 835
Joined: 30 Nov 2020, 00:06
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 264
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smolbird.html
Latest Review: Pariah by Robert C. Swetz
fav_author_id: 2909

Post by smolbird »

NetMassimo wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 07:34 This seems like an interesting book to get some insights into the war in Vietnam and its various consequences. Thank you for your great review!
Indeed, and it's a heartbreaking story of a young girl who had to deal with those consequences. Thank you for dropping by! :)
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
User avatar
Prisallen
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 5678
Joined: 27 Feb 2019, 18:57
Favorite Book:
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 233
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-prisallen.html
Latest Review: Nirvatra by April Thomas

Post by Prisallen »

I feel for the author and her family as they had to endure a lot. I hope they all managed to escape. This sounds like a good book to learn more about the history of Vietnam. Thank you for an informative and well-written review!
User avatar
smolbird
Posts: 835
Joined: 30 Nov 2020, 00:06
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 264
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smolbird.html
Latest Review: Pariah by Robert C. Swetz
fav_author_id: 2909

Post by smolbird »

Prisallen wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 08:40 I feel for the author and her family as they had to endure a lot. I hope they all managed to escape. This sounds like a good book to learn more about the history of Vietnam. Thank you for an informative and well-written review!
When I was reading the book, I kept praying for their safety and eventual escape. I picked up a lot of lessons from this book. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
User avatar
Eutoc
Posts: 623
Joined: 15 Sep 2020, 01:39
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 35
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-eutoc.html
Latest Review: My Ups And Downs by Sam Barder

Post by Eutoc »

War-torn places usually leaves a dreaded memory for the survivors. The author pictures one of the case scenarios. Nice one here
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

You have piqued my interest with your excellent review! I am curious to find out more about Vietnam and how Muoi's experience. Thank you for your recommendation!
User avatar
John Owen
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 936
Joined: 01 Jul 2018, 09:51
Currently Reading: Baggage
Bookshelf Size: 157
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-john-owen.html
Latest Review: Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature, second edition by Chet Shupe

Post by John Owen »

Seems a good book about the Vietnamese war and a family's quest for escape. Nice review!
Harmony in chaos. It's all a matter of perspective.
User avatar
SamaylaM
Posts: 975
Joined: 11 Aug 2020, 04:43
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 79
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-samaylam.html
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman

Post by SamaylaM »

It looks like there's so much to learn about events in Vietnam in 1975 and Chinese culture in this book. I wouldn't mind giving it a read someday to get some insights. Thanks for a comprehensive and great review!
User avatar
smolbird
Posts: 835
Joined: 30 Nov 2020, 00:06
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 264
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smolbird.html
Latest Review: Pariah by Robert C. Swetz
fav_author_id: 2909

Post by smolbird »

Eutoc wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 09:20 War-torn places usually leaves a dreaded memory for the survivors. The author pictures one of the case scenarios. Nice one here
Indeed, I'm glad the author was brave enough to tell her story. Thank you for dropping by!
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
User avatar
Marcel Cantu
Posts: 504
Joined: 27 Feb 2021, 08:38
Currently Reading: Under Another Sun
Bookshelf Size: 42
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marcel-cantu.html
Latest Review: Elizabeth's Garden by Phillip Leighton-Daly

Post by Marcel Cantu »

I like that this book explores history and different perspectives. Thank you for your thorough and well-written review!
Post Reply

Return to “Non-Fiction Books”