In the memoir “Phoenix and Dragon: Escape from Việt Nam Gaining Freedom Maintaining Asian Core Values,” Idaho author Thu Le shares her story of being a young Buddhist girl in Vietnam sent by her mother to French Catholic school to escape the evil spirits that claimed her siblings’ lives in their war-torn country.
Secretly attending university, Le discovers forbidden love while her parents work to arrange her marriage into a politically prominent family. As the Vietnam War escalates, she must navigate between what is expected of her as a well-bred Confucian woman and her own heart’s dreams and desires. Escaping by airlift with her children during the fall of Saigon, Le arrives penniless in California to begin her long journey of self-discovery.
Rich in cultural detail and history, “Phoenix and Dragon” offers an intimate glimpse of the female psyche in transition. More than just the memories of a political refugee, this book reveals what is possible in life as Le struggles to create her identity and learns the meaning of being truly free. She gains a deeper understanding of what it means to love and be loved.
All proceeds from the sale of “Phoenix and Dragon” will support the non-profit organization, LeWaiss Rescue Mission, which supports students in Vietnam who do not have money for fees and supplies to continue their education. Le created the charity in 2011 and is launching a new marketing campaign for the book to raise funds.
