The Magic Fish is a graphic novel written by Trung Le Nguyen. It tells the story of Tiến, a boy who loves reading fairy tales and wishes to have a happily ever after ending in his own life. However, Tiến faces multiple challenges as he navigates his Vietnamese-American identity, his struggle with his sexuality, and his relationship with his parents. The story is beautifully illustrated with vibrant and enchanting artwork that brings the world of Tiến's imagination to life. As Tiến grapples with the difficulties in his life, he finds solace in the magical world of fairy tales, connecting with characters like the Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and the Monkey King. Through these stories, Tiến learns valuable lessons about self-acceptance, the power of storytelling, and the importance of family and love.
One thing the book explored as well is the fluidity of fairy stories. These stories may have similar characteristics, but they change and evolve with each retelling. A major theme throughout the latter part of the book is how we can use stories to share our feelings even though we can’t find the right words. Once Tien’s mother learns he is gay, she reads him a story and changes the ending to explain to him that she still loves and supports him no matter what. I thought that was an amazing way to bridge all the obstacles facing their relationship, but it’s an especially unique way to overcome their language differences.
If The Magic Fish were nothing but what its first third promises red realist childhood stories and blue fairy-fish stories the book would end up good enough to recommend, not only for its sensitive storytelling pace, its lovely, expectant faces and tender poses, but for the way that Nguyen deploys ink and monochrome color. Now that the Phong family have become US citizens, Tiên s mother can go back to visit her family, and once there, she learns other, Vietnamese fairy tales, linked by motif to the Western versions her son has told her before.
Through these stories, Tiến learns valuable lessons about self-acceptance, the power of storytelling, and the importance of family and love. One of the standout features of The Magic Fish is its exploration of cultural identity. Tiến's parents, who immigrated to America from Vietnam, face their own challenges as they try to balance their Vietnamese heritage with their American lives.
The Magic Fish
In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.
“One of the most astounding graphic novels of the year” –Entertainment Weekly
Tien and his mother may come from different cultures—she’s an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he’s been raised in America—but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased.
But as much as Tien’s mother’s English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there’s one conversation that still eludes him—how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he’s going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him?
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel speaks to the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together even when we don’t know the words.
“A lyrical masterpiece.” –BuzzFeed
About The Magic Fish
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by the New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Publishers Weekly
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
About The Magic Fish
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
About The Magic Fish
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
This theme adds depth to the narrative and allows readers to gain insight into the experiences of immigrant families. Another notable aspect of the graphic novel is its portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes. Tiến struggles with coming out to his parents, fearing that they won't accept him for who he truly is. The Magic Fish highlights the importance of acceptance and love within families, regardless of sexual orientation, and encourages conversations around these often sensitive topics. Overall, The Magic Fish is a touching and poignant tale that deals with universal themes of identity, love, and self-acceptance. It beautifully combines elements of fantasy with real-world challenges, creating a story that is both relatable and magical. The Magic Fish is a must-read for anyone who enjoys captivating storytelling and stunning artwork..
Reviews for "Exploring the Science behind The Magic Fish PDF"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magic Fish" after hearing so many positive reviews, but I was ultimately disappointed. The storytelling felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive flow. The characters were underdeveloped and I struggled to connect with them. The artwork was beautiful, but unfortunately, it couldn't make up for the weak plot. Overall, I found this graphic novel to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Mark - 1 star - I really wanted to like "The Magic Fish," but it just didn't click for me. The artwork is undeniably stunning, but the story itself felt convoluted and confusing. I had a hard time following the narrative and understanding the motivations of the characters. The plot seemed to jump around haphazardly, and it left me feeling unsatisfied and confused. I can understand why some people might enjoy this novel, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was drawn to "The Magic Fish" based on the premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and the storytelling felt disjointed. I struggled to stay engaged with the plot and found myself skimming through pages to try and find something interesting. While the theme of the immigrant experience was a strong point, it wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster execution. I wanted to like this graphic novel, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.