The Da Vinci Code
by Dan BrownHarvard professor Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call while on business in Paris
Read ReviewThe happiest refugee
Printer-friendly versionSend to friend
Genre:
Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about. Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was 13, and their mother struggled to support the family on her own. His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh. Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. “Four,” came the answer, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian! The Happiest Refugee tells the uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination - a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it.
(1 vote)
Reviews
Mar 22,2013
This review is a spoiler. View anyway?
The Happiest Refugee is a heartwarming book written by Anh Do . This autobiography entails the hardships faced by a struggling Vietnamese family. A young boy named Anh Do takes us on his life journey. The reader admirers his achievements,hardships,his constant hopes of pleasing his parents and ambitions in creating a successful future for himself.
The story begins with a family's quest from Vietnam to create a new life for themselves on a crowded refuge boat. They face the threat of pirates, dehydration, many diseases and death. Their desire to create a better life in another country gives them the will and power to overcome anything. This humble family is totally taken away by their home in Australia. For the first few years we explore the challenges they face. Many late nights are spent working, the house is always crowded with extended family members, the ruthless landlords and in all of this chaos was a young boy Anh, trying to make his family proud. The reader quickly becomes engaged & fascinated by his his life.
Readers are also captivated by Anh’s relationship with his father. Anh’s father is his inspiration, a strong, brave man who loved his family. However, Anh is extremely upset, when at the age of 13 his father leaves home. Anh particularly feels the loss very heavily and becomes very angry. Just as Anh feels the loss of his father, so does the reader. The books ability to make the reader feel Anh’s emotion is extremely powerful and thought provoking. The unconditional love shown towards his mum is touching & admirable. At a young age he is forced to be such a strong person, having to take care of his siblings and become a male role model to them. This is a testimony of who Anh is and an inspiration to all who read it.
Readers will be elated by his achievement in attending a prestigious Sydney school. We empathize with Anh when he feels different and isolated by his socio-economic status. He was also faced with prejudice and discrimination.The reader is moved as well as challenged to understand why Anh is treated like this. Anh’s comical personality is clearly shown through his writing as through every sad or tough time, he finds a way to make it amusing, bringing a smile to your face. It is truly uplifting and incredible as the reader explores his life after school. Anh manges work, study, his love cycle an his journey to becoming one of Australians most famous comedians.
The Happiest Refugee is an absorbing book, making the reader feel empathy and inspiration towards Anh Do. Through tragedy, humour and heartache, we become closer to Anh. This book is suitable for teenagers and adults as it will remind the reader that not everything comes easy and that from humble beginnings anything is possible. The Happiest Refugee is a powerful book, that will delicately take you on an emotional journey. A must read for all.
Oct 07,2012
This book was an amazing read! I found it so interesting and breathtaking to hear the experiences and encounters Ahn Do and his family had! The story takes you into the lives of the refugees and in particular Ahns story! It was amazing to read and hear about all the various near death experiences he had as a young child , along with his family and siblings. The book gives you a strong in depth insight, into what the life of a refugee was like and how it was a huge struggle to try and flea a war torn country! Ahn tells the story as he sees it, which is captivating and hilarious and he speaks his mind and says it how it is! He included humor and it helps to lighten up the book! The book literally tells the story in detail of a persons life who is filled with family struggles upon war, it helps you to understand what it would've been like for refugees trying to flea Vietnam during the war along with infants and families! I would highly recommend this book to people as it is truly interesting to hear the real life story of a refugee who turned his life around,and how his childhood was full of escaping war and pirates on boats! I would recommend this to many people it's truly a great story and biography! :)
