Dao Strom Libri

"The book is informed by the Vietnamese immigrations of the nineteen–seventies but is filled with social observation of contemporary middle–class culture and indie sensibility . . . Quietly beautiful, Strom's stories are hip without being ironic." —The New Yorker When The Gentle Order of Girls and Boys was first published in 2006, it was groundbreaking in its depiction of contemporary young Vietnamese women living in the United States, centering their ordinary lives as mothers, lovers, friends, and daughters against the backdrop of immigration and assimilation. Available now for the first time in paperback and featuring an introduction by Isabelle Thuy Pelaud and a new preface by the author, The Gentle Order of Girls and Boys is a beautifully written, psychologically astute foray into the rite of female passage.

Set against the backdrop of California's gold country, the narrative explores the journey of a Vietnamese family grappling with cultural displacement and the myth of westward progress. Through their experiences, Dao Strom delves into the complexities of identity and belonging, highlighting the challenges faced by immigrants in a new land. The novel intricately weaves themes of heritage and resilience, offering a poignant reflection on the pursuit of dreams amidst isolation.