Once upon a time, in a small fishing village, lived a poor fisherman named Tring La Nguyem. He spent his days struggling to catch enough fish to feed his family. One day, while out at sea, Tring La Nguyem noticed a shimmering object caught in his fishing net. To his surprise, he discovered a magic fish trapped in the net. The magic fish had the power to grant wishes. Seeing an opportunity to change his and his family's lives for the better, Tring La Nguyem pleaded with the fish to set him free in exchange for granting him three wishes.
When Helen returns to the States, she can see that her son Tien has been struggling with his own difficulties. He has been trying to come out to his parents: “I tried looking up how to tell them at the library. The librarian and I couldn’t find the word for it in Vietnamese.” The commonly used word for “gay” in Vietnamese is “bê đê,” a slur which originates from the French “pédé,” or “pederaste.” While there has been an effort to reclaim the word in the Vietnamese LGBTQ community, some simply prefer to identify themselves with the English word. The problem for Tien is that there is no adequate translation for “gay” in Vietnamese.
When the mermaid makes a deal with the Oracle in order to live and walk on land, she loses her speech and each step of her newly acquired feet feels like daggers. As Nguyen states in the afterword, Immigrants seem to take on the flatness of fairy tale archetypes, as interchangeable pieces in recurring stories of upheaval and diaspora.
Seeing an opportunity to change his and his family's lives for the better, Tring La Nguyem pleaded with the fish to set him free in exchange for granting him three wishes. The fish, feeling sympathetic, agreed to his request. Tring La Nguyem was elated and hurriedly made his first wish.
Review: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
When I heard about a middle grade featuring a queer Vietnamese boy trying to figure out how to come out, I was smitten. Having read The Magic Fish I am even more in love. It is an absolutely charming and emotional middle grade graphic novel about family and stories. Keep reading this book review to find out exactly what I loved.
He wished for a large house to provide shelter for his family. In an instant, a beautiful mansion appeared in the village, catching the attention of everyone. Tring La Nguyem's family was overjoyed and could hardly believe their eyes. For his second wish, Tring La Nguyem asked for an abundance of wealth and prosperity. Suddenly, his house was filled with gold and treasures, bringing immense happiness to his family. The villagers were astounded by their newfound wealth, and admiration for Tring La Nguyem grew. Tring La Nguyem now had one final wish and decided to use it wisely. He wished for the wellbeing and health of his entire village. Instantly, all sicknesses disappeared, and the village flourished with good health and vitality. Tring La Nguyem had become a hero in the eyes of his fellow villagers. Word of the magic fish spread to neighboring villages, and people came from far and wide to witness the miracles that had taken place in Tring La Nguyem's village. The fisherman became an iconic figure, known for his selflessness and kindness. Despite his newfound fame and wealth, Tring La Nguyem remained humble and continued to fish in the sea, sharing his treasures with those in need. He recognized that it was the magic fish that had brought him good fortune, and he vowed to always use his blessings for the betterment of others. As time went on, Tring La Nguyem's story became a legend, passed down through generations. The magic fish came to symbolize hope, kindness, and the power of granting wishes. Tring La Nguyem's village prospered, not only in material wealth but also in unity and compassion. The moral of the story is that true happiness lies in giving and using our blessings for the greater good. Tring La Nguyem's journey from poverty to prosperity taught us that selflessness and gratitude are the keys to a fulfilled and meaningful life..
Reviews for "The Sacred Geometry of the Majic Fish Tring La Nguyem"
1. John - 1 star
I found "The Majic Fish Tring La Nguyem" to be quite underwhelming. The plot was confusing and lacked direction, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and were difficult to relate to. I was expecting a magical and enchanting experience, but instead, I was left disappointed and frustrated by the lackluster storytelling.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Majic Fish Tring La Nguyem" had such potential but ultimately fell short for me. The writing style was overly flowery and descriptive, which made it hard for me to truly engage with the story. I also found the pacing to be slow, with not enough action or suspense to keep me interested. Overall, I was bored and struggled to finish the book. Unfortunately, this was not the captivating read I was hoping for.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars
"The Majic Fish Tring La Nguyem" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its promises. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear focus. The author tried to incorporate too many elements, resulting in a convoluted narrative. I also found the dialogue to be unrealistic and forced, which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. While there were some interesting moments scattered throughout the book, they were not enough to salvage the overall reading experience.