The Best We Could Do Summary and Themes
Thi Bui’s graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do, delves deep into her family’s history, spanning across generations in both Vietnam and the United States.
The book can be subdivided into three primary parts: the author’s journey of creating the memoir, an interaction with the Vietnamese American writer Việt Thanh Nguyễn, and a visual timeline of Vietnam’s tumultuous history from 1945-1975.
Summary
The story kicks off with a deeply personal moment in 2005 when Thi Bui is giving birth in New York. While she’s joined by her husband, Travis, her mother is unable to be present in the room, haunted by her own memories of childbirth in the midst of strife.
This event acts as a lens, making Bui reflect on the meaning of family, now that she has one of her own.
As we delve deeper into the book, we’re taken back to Bui’s childhood, where the challenges of assimilation and adapting to the American way of life become evident.
Her father’s past plays a significant role in their present, as his traumatic childhood experiences in Vietnam, witnessing war, famine, and loss, shape his demeanor and reactions. Bui’s father, or Bố, had to endure heart-wrenching situations, such as his family’s deceit leading to his mother’s death during a famine and witnessing a massacre by French troops at a tender age of seven.
These experiences paint a clear picture of why he turned out to be a withdrawn, sometimes paranoid father, battling the shadows of his traumatic past.
On the other side, Bui’s mother (Má) hails from a relatively privileged background, growing up in comfort due to her father’s position in the French colonial government. Her academic prowess leads her to French colonial schools, making her realize the oppressive nature of colonialism.
The paradox is that she values education as a path to freedom but dreads the confinements of marriage. Yet, destiny has its plans when she and Bố meet at the Sài Gòn Teachers College, leading to an unexpected pregnancy, a reluctant marriage, and many challenges thereafter, including surviving during the American invasion and subsequent economic downfall.
The narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn post the Vietnam War. The newly established Northern government paints Bui’s father as deceitful, costing him his job and leading to an oppressive surveillance on their family.
In this era of political unrest, Má’s brother Hải goes missing, and upon his return, the family recognizes the dire need to escape. A harrowing journey follows as the family secretly boards a boat in an attempt to flee Vietnam. Facing obstacles like police patrols and getting stranded on an island, they finally reach a refugee camp in Malaysia. It’s here that Má gives birth to their youngest, Tâm.
The family’s asylum application gets them to the United States, initially to Indiana, but the cold climate drives them further to sunny California.
In the concluding chapters, Thi Bui draws parallels between her parents’ sacrifices and the responsibilities she now faces as a new mother. She reflects upon her own life, recognizing the “Refugee Reflex” she inherited, evident when she leads her family to safety after a house explosion.
The memoir culminates in New York after Bui’s childbirth, where, in a role reversal, she has to be heroic for her newborn son suffering from jaundice.
This revelation makes her empathize with her parents’ journey, the sacrifices they made, and the weight of their past they carried.
In her closing thoughts, Bui aspires for her son to be unburdened by the traumas of war and loss, hoping he has the chance to truly be free.
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Themes
1. The Complex Legacy of Historical Trauma
The traumas endured by one generation can profoundly impact the subsequent ones, creating a chain of pain, but also of resilience.
Bui’s exploration of her parents’ experiences in Việt Nam, from the turmoil of war to the hardships of migration, showcases how past traumas can manifest in future generations as a sense of disconnect, paranoia, or emotional aloofness.
Yet, these generational scars also come with an incredible capacity for survival, adaptability, and perseverance.
Recognizing and understanding this historical trauma is essential for healing and building stronger familial connections.
2. The Dualities of Identity in Immigrant Experiences
Immigrants often grapple with a dual sense of identity, torn between the cultural expectations of their homeland and their adopted country.
Bui’s recounting of her own experiences, as well as her parents’, underscores the challenges that come with balancing two different cultural frameworks.
For instance, she feels the pressure of both Vietnamese expectations of familial piety and American ideals of individualism and independence.
This lesson emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding towards immigrants, recognizing the internal and external challenges they face in trying to belong and find their place in a new setting.
3. Sacrifice, Love, and Parenthood
The acts of sacrifice parents make for their children are profound, often setting aside their own aspirations or well-being for the sake of their offspring.
Bui’s parents, particularly her mother’s decision to marry Bố and the shared experience of fleeing Việt Nam, highlight the lengths parents can go to ensure a better future for their children.
Bui’s own journey into motherhood offers a reflection on these sacrifices, suggesting that every generation seeks to provide their children with a better life, even if it means facing immense challenges or giving up personal dreams.
Parenthood is an ongoing journey of love, sacrifice, and hope for the future.
Final Thoughts
“The Best We Could Do” is a poignant exploration of family, displacement, and identity. Through intricate illustrations and raw narratives, Thi Bui offers a deeply personal lens into the immigrant experience, emphasizing generational traumas and the enduring human spirit.
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