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Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam
A moving young adult graphic memoir about a Vietnamese immigrant boy's search for belonging in America, perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and The Best We Could Do !
Thien's first memory isn't a sight or a sound. It's the sweetness of watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It's the taste of the foods he ate while adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam.
After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don't get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. Strawberries come to signify struggle as Thien's mom and dad look for work. Potato chips are an indulgence that bring Thien so much joy that they become a necessity.
Behind every cut of steak and inside every croissant lies a story. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search-- for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.
Thien's first memory isn't a sight or a sound. It's the sweetness of watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It's the taste of the foods he ate while adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam.
After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don't get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. Strawberries come to signify struggle as Thien's mom and dad look for work. Potato chips are an indulgence that bring Thien so much joy that they become a necessity.
Behind every cut of steak and inside every croissant lies a story. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search-- for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 20, 2023
55 people are currently reading
7,767 people want to read
About the author
Thien Pham
10books77followersTHIEN PHAM is a comic book and visual artist, based in the Bay Area. He is also a high school teacher. Pham illustrated Gene Luen Yang's Level Up. Sumo is his first solo work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 572 reviews
December 7, 2023
This was almost a perfect graphic novel! 4.5 stars
I’ve read quite a few works about the experience of those that came to America after being forced to leave Vietnam, but never like this where the author utilizes food to not only build a connection to new experiences, but also people and places. The artwork was beautiful, effective, and enriching. There was a specific scene on the boat while they were traveling were violence broke out due to an encounter with pirates. The artwork was devastatingly beautiful and not only captured the beauty of a mother’s love and willingness to sacrifice everything but also the power of moments and their ability to imprint onto the minds of children. In this case, it was a single rice ball that tasted of salt. The author also did a wonderful job illustrating the complicated nature of the American Dream and what it means to assimilate to a place so much that you lose all cultural ties to your homeland. This was such a powerful work. I only took issue where there were huge time jumps. I wished those areas were fleshed out a little bit more. Other than that, I consider this to be a must read and will be adding it to my list of graphic memoirs to recommend.
I’ve read quite a few works about the experience of those that came to America after being forced to leave Vietnam, but never like this where the author utilizes food to not only build a connection to new experiences, but also people and places. The artwork was beautiful, effective, and enriching. There was a specific scene on the boat while they were traveling were violence broke out due to an encounter with pirates. The artwork was devastatingly beautiful and not only captured the beauty of a mother’s love and willingness to sacrifice everything but also the power of moments and their ability to imprint onto the minds of children. In this case, it was a single rice ball that tasted of salt. The author also did a wonderful job illustrating the complicated nature of the American Dream and what it means to assimilate to a place so much that you lose all cultural ties to your homeland. This was such a powerful work. I only took issue where there were huge time jumps. I wished those areas were fleshed out a little bit more. Other than that, I consider this to be a must read and will be adding it to my list of graphic memoirs to recommend.
January 17, 2024
An engaging tale of Thien Pham's family's escape from Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam war. He and his family get to a Thai refugee camp by boat (and had all their money robbed by pirates)--we came to know these fortunate folks who survived as "the boat people"--and eventually to San Jose, California. One point he makes is that most people welcomed them and supported them and did what they could to help them find them resources and jobs. Churches sponsored refugees at that time. As I said, it's completely engaging and inspiring, and unsurprising in many ways, but still very good.
Food--the taste of a rice ball on that boat still stays in his memory--and the change in diet, the importance of family and eating, all permeates the story. He came to love potato chips!
Near the end of the book he compares the attitudes his refugee family faced versus what is going on now, as fewer and fewer people support refugees.
One thing I loved was the appendix, where he answers reader questions: What did your parents think of the story? "I like that you depicted your mom as the hero," Dad tells him. "I AM the hero!" Mom says. What kind of games did you play in the refugee camp? Do you still see Dick (the first guy who took them in). (yes, he does!).
I began teaching high school English in Holland, Michigan in 1975, and was completel y unprepared as area churches lovingly sponsored Vietnamese refugees. Few of the kids that came to the high school knew any English at all, and I had no ESL experience, so we had to invent a curriculum, which was exciting for a young teacher, though I was not centrally involved in all the planning. I was myself a newbie as a teacher, making up teaching as I went along, teaching courses I had never taught before. So I could (a little bit, at least?) relate to the shock of the new, but I soon realized my challenges were nothing like theirs.
Food--the taste of a rice ball on that boat still stays in his memory--and the change in diet, the importance of family and eating, all permeates the story. He came to love potato chips!
Near the end of the book he compares the attitudes his refugee family faced versus what is going on now, as fewer and fewer people support refugees.
One thing I loved was the appendix, where he answers reader questions: What did your parents think of the story? "I like that you depicted your mom as the hero," Dad tells him. "I AM the hero!" Mom says. What kind of games did you play in the refugee camp? Do you still see Dick (the first guy who took them in). (yes, he does!).
I began teaching high school English in Holland, Michigan in 1975, and was completel y unprepared as area churches lovingly sponsored Vietnamese refugees. Few of the kids that came to the high school knew any English at all, and I had no ESL experience, so we had to invent a curriculum, which was exciting for a young teacher, though I was not centrally involved in all the planning. I was myself a newbie as a teacher, making up teaching as I went along, teaching courses I had never taught before. So I could (a little bit, at least?) relate to the shock of the new, but I soon realized my challenges were nothing like theirs.
April 28, 2023
Thien Pham traces his life from a refugee boat leaving Vietnam to a refugee camp to San Jose, California, anchoring memories around specific meals. Each memory is rich with sensory details- the saltiness of fish, the sweetness of rice, the novelty of school lunches in a new country- and build a narrative of a family surviving steep odds. The art is simple but effective, and the story is well-paced and moving. I had the pleasure of picking up an ARC of this memoir at the American Booksellers Association winter institute and enjoyed it so much.
September 11, 2023
An impactful ya graphic memoir. I liked how the author took us on a journey of survival and a quest for the American Dream. Also giving different foods meaning as part of the immigration story. It made an impression for sure and I’m grateful to have a friend who puts stories like these in my hands.
December 7, 2023
An engaging look at a family fleeing Vietnam in the wake of the war, enduring a refugee camp in Thailand, and resettling in the United States. As the author traces his life from five to forty-one, the author reflects on how hard it was to fit in, his regrets about assimilating too much, and how appalled he is at recent political movements built around fearmongering against refugees and immigrants.
Throughout the tale, his mother steals the show with her resourcefulness and determination. What a woman!
Aimed at younger readers, I feel the book could have provided them a little more context for the events that led to his family's trek and the years that events in the story occurred.
(Best of 2023 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one of more of these lists:
� Washington Post
� NPR's Books We Love 2023: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels
This book made both lists.)
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapter 1. Rice and Fish -- Chapter 2. Bánh Cuốn -- Chapter 3. Steak and Potatoes -- Chapter 4.Strawberries and Potato Chips -- Chapter 5. Salisbury Steak -- Chapter 6. Ham and Cheese Croissant -- Chapter 7. Cơm Tấm Đặc Biệt -- Chapter 8. Rice and Fish -- Endnotes
Throughout the tale, his mother steals the show with her resourcefulness and determination. What a woman!
Aimed at younger readers, I feel the book could have provided them a little more context for the events that led to his family's trek and the years that events in the story occurred.
(Best of 2023 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one of more of these lists:
� Washington Post
� NPR's Books We Love 2023: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels
This book made both lists.)
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapter 1. Rice and Fish -- Chapter 2. Bánh Cuốn -- Chapter 3. Steak and Potatoes -- Chapter 4.Strawberries and Potato Chips -- Chapter 5. Salisbury Steak -- Chapter 6. Ham and Cheese Croissant -- Chapter 7. Cơm Tấm Đặc Biệt -- Chapter 8. Rice and Fish -- Endnotes
April 4, 2024
I'm not usually a memoir type of girl, but I think a graphic novel was the best way to tell this story! It was such an impactful narrative of the quest to find 'the American dream.' Even though it just about broke my heart seeing the hardships these people had to endure, it was so lovely seeing how far they came. It also reminded me that even though it might seem unlikely at times, there are some good people in this world, you just have to find them 🤍
January 30, 2025
Thien Pham was born in Vietnam, escaping on a boat as a child and spending months in a refugee camp in Thailand until his family found a permanent home in California. This graphic memoir recounts some of those memories throughout his life from childhood to present by centring those stories around food he remembers from these points in his life. It's an engaging graphic novel that manages to be enjoyable while reflecting on what it means to be American and what it means to be Vietnamese. The food art looks tasty, although nothing looks quite as tasty as the cover art. I did feel like the political messaging was a little tepid, but it's generally well meaning. I really enjoyed the end notes, where (still in comic format, just without colour) he shares some additional stories about his family and friends and what they think of this book.
Family Style is a solidly enjoyable and interesting graphic memoir, and well worth the read. Recommended!
Family Style is a solidly enjoyable and interesting graphic memoir, and well worth the read. Recommended!
August 15, 2023
Incredibly powerful story of refugees going through some terrifying things to ultimately get to America to live a better life. I love the community the refugees have with one another, with those who came before helping out the newly arrived. I just love to see people helping one another, it gives me hope that we can do the same today, that we can learn positive lessons from the past of what TO do, rather than always learning what to NOT do.
It takes strength to tell one's story. I respect the author for sharing his story, so we can all learn from it and to respect those who aren't born into ease and comfort, but had to work hard and fight for it.
4, solid this gives me hope, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
It takes strength to tell one's story. I respect the author for sharing his story, so we can all learn from it and to respect those who aren't born into ease and comfort, but had to work hard and fight for it.
4, solid this gives me hope, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2024
Graphic memories are one of my favorite genres and this is one of the best.
November 13, 2023
I love the gimmick of this book. Even though some might think it's misleading. The food front-and-center on the cover and the title definitely made me think this was going to be more food-centric than it was - something in keeping with by Lucy Knisley or by Robin Ha (see my kitchencomics shelf). But here, the dishes pictured before each chapter are more hinges, inspirations, a motif, than a major theme that drives the story.
The book follows Pham's life, starting from his very first memory, which happened on a boat escaping the country where he was born. That first chapter/scene is gripping. Heart-wrenching. Violent and terrifying. Trauma, which underpins everything that comes after.
Pham's family lives in a refugee camp for a chapter, and then moves to the United States.
Pham's illustrations are primarily presented on 6 even paneled pages, with full color dominated by earth tones. The heads of many of his figures, especially kids, are noticeably round. He includes some great Endnotes, drawn in panels and speech bubbles, answering some FAQ-style questions ("What do your parents think of this story?"). I always enjoy "special features."
Great GN memoir. Highly recommend.
The book follows Pham's life, starting from his very first memory, which happened on a boat escaping the country where he was born. That first chapter/scene is gripping. Heart-wrenching. Violent and terrifying. Trauma, which underpins everything that comes after.
Pham's family lives in a refugee camp for a chapter, and then moves to the United States.
Pham's illustrations are primarily presented on 6 even paneled pages, with full color dominated by earth tones. The heads of many of his figures, especially kids, are noticeably round. He includes some great Endnotes, drawn in panels and speech bubbles, answering some FAQ-style questions ("What do your parents think of this story?"). I always enjoy "special features."
Great GN memoir. Highly recommend.
March 6, 2023
Thank you, Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC of this title.
Thien Pham did an amazing job illustrating the life of what it is like coming from Vietnam to America. After reading this, I had to message my aunt to find out if she had to stay in a refugee camp before someone sponsored her and she said yes. So, this has opened up more questions to ask my Vietnamese family about their history. I also was able to relate to Thien on feeling "not Vietnamese enough". Growing up, it was just my sister, mom, and grandma. I wasn't surrounded by a big family like Linda so my Vietnamese was broken. I was able to understand the language but when it came to speaking it, I had trouble finding the right words I was looking for. I hope that readers will be able to gain a new light on what it is like for immigrants coming to America, because it did for me.
Thien Pham did an amazing job illustrating the life of what it is like coming from Vietnam to America. After reading this, I had to message my aunt to find out if she had to stay in a refugee camp before someone sponsored her and she said yes. So, this has opened up more questions to ask my Vietnamese family about their history. I also was able to relate to Thien on feeling "not Vietnamese enough". Growing up, it was just my sister, mom, and grandma. I wasn't surrounded by a big family like Linda so my Vietnamese was broken. I was able to understand the language but when it came to speaking it, I had trouble finding the right words I was looking for. I hope that readers will be able to gain a new light on what it is like for immigrants coming to America, because it did for me.
August 17, 2023
I don't like rating memoirs, it never feels fair to rate someone's experience. This graphic memoir starts out in a harrowing situation as Pham and his family flee Vietnam, and ends with Pham as an older man becoming an American citizen. I did appreciate the device of using food to represent different times in Pham's life. That being said, I thought the time jumps were a little disorienting/disconnected. One of my favorite parts was actually the few pages at the end where he illustrates talking to people in his memoir about the memoir! I found that highly engaging. The art wasn't my personal favorite. I think readers of graphic memoirs, especially immigrant/refugee stories, will find this highly appealing.
May 30, 2023
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the E-ARC! I’ve read a lot of graphic novels about restarting in a new place and this one touched my heart! I love the way Pham talks about the little things we cling to when we think of those memories. I loved the art and the ways the color changes from place to place and the ways he made his parents the heroes. Such a good graphic novel, I highly recommend!
January 10, 2024
Family and food serve as the center of this touching memoir, written by one member of one refugee family, among the many refugees known as the "Vietnamese Boat People."
This is a story of hardship, hope, hard work, determination, and a universal desire of immigrant parents (well, of all parents, really) to sacrifice today so that tomorrow will be brighter, and better, with more opportunities for success and happiness for their children. The future belongs to the young, and it keeps the flow of global migration alive and as vibrant as ever.
5 Stars. I love this book. It is an inspiration.
This is a story of hardship, hope, hard work, determination, and a universal desire of immigrant parents (well, of all parents, really) to sacrifice today so that tomorrow will be brighter, and better, with more opportunities for success and happiness for their children. The future belongs to the young, and it keeps the flow of global migration alive and as vibrant as ever.
5 Stars. I love this book. It is an inspiration.
October 28, 2024
(4.0) Pham gives us a closer look into his life and the struggles that come with achieving “The American Dream�. I felt myself cheering for him especially when facing the harsh realities of becoming naturalized.
May 22, 2023
I laughed, I cried, I spotted cameos by Gene Yang and Lark Pien! I loved this book.
April 25, 2024
My cup is filled. My heart is full.
February 9, 2024
Family Style is a solid, satisfying Vietnamese immigrant tale that rarely strays from the basics, but I think that's part of its appeal. There are no bells and whistles here, just steady progress from a traumatic arrival at a Thai refugee camp >> Thien's parents scrounging for jobs and English language skills as new immigrants in San Jose >> teen Thien dismissing Vietnamese culture in favor of hamburgers and milkshakes. We also see adult Thien re-engaging with Vietnamese culture while also finally becoming an American citizen.
The pacing is great and the simple art holds your attention. I wondered at some big gaps in the storytelling (Thien's father opens a bakery... and then in the next chapter the bakery is closed and now he owns multiple video rental stores?), but maybe that's fodder for a sequel. I especially appreciated the author's comic Q&A sessions at the end of the book.
The pacing is great and the simple art holds your attention. I wondered at some big gaps in the storytelling (Thien's father opens a bakery... and then in the next chapter the bakery is closed and now he owns multiple video rental stores?), but maybe that's fodder for a sequel. I especially appreciated the author's comic Q&A sessions at the end of the book.
October 2, 2023
This book was fine, but like the other graphic novel I recently finished, I felt like I needed so much more. The book covers interesting content, but the time jumps were jarring. One minute he is 5, leaving Vietnam and adjusting to America, the next he is a teenager feeling like he isn't Vietnamese enough to hang out with a girl he likes, then all of a sudden, he is 41 and finally applying for citizenship. I would have liked some better transitions or reasons why he excluded so much of his life.
February 2, 2024
This was touching & cute, but I often felt like I was missing something - like there was more to the story I just didn't grasp or like maybe I accidentally turned two pages instead of one. It was lovely, all the same.
June 20, 2023
Family Styleis a touching graphic novel memoir that covers Pham's experience as young Vietnamese refugee in America. In a unique structural choice, each section is organized by a different meal (e.g. banh cuon, ham and cheese croissant, rice ball) that represents a certain time, place and meaning to the author.
Perhaps I’m biased because food is a major part of my own relationship with Vietnamese culture (I’m half Vietnamese), but this structure really worked for me. In particular, I thought Family Style was really successful in both conveying a child's POV, and in showing the struggles of assimilation (in particular I liked how Pham represented language barriers).
Two books I’d pair this with would be and - both of which have with similar themes to Family Style (Vietnamese refugees, assimilation as a young child, familial duty and obligation).
Perhaps I’m biased because food is a major part of my own relationship with Vietnamese culture (I’m half Vietnamese), but this structure really worked for me. In particular, I thought Family Style was really successful in both conveying a child's POV, and in showing the struggles of assimilation (in particular I liked how Pham represented language barriers).
Two books I’d pair this with would be and - both of which have with similar themes to Family Style (Vietnamese refugees, assimilation as a young child, familial duty and obligation).
December 9, 2024
Thien Pham's graphic novel Family Style tells the story of Thien Pham and his family. They are Vietnamese, but forced to leave the country due to the Vietnam war. His family ends up in a Thai refugee camp and later into the USA wishing to reach the American dream. This graphic novel tells the story of Pham and his surroundings through food and the memories associated with food.
I found this book to be fairly average in almost every way. The art was quite average, not ugly but also not something that would make you stop and just adore the beauty of the art. The storytelling was also fairly average, I appreciate how these stories were told and linked to food but I feel like there were also certain aspects that lacked depth.
I especially found the way Pham showcased his journey with learning English a bit weird. He would use lines to imply that he doesn't understand most English words he hears around him at school or other places and I thought it was pretty clever visual effect but I think it was also forgotten to use at some times. Maybe I missed something, but I feel like he had some conversations with people who didn't speak Vietnamese and suddenly he understood everything that was said to him and after that the graphic novel went back to the lines and the implication of Pham not really understanding English.
I found this book to be fairly average in almost every way. The art was quite average, not ugly but also not something that would make you stop and just adore the beauty of the art. The storytelling was also fairly average, I appreciate how these stories were told and linked to food but I feel like there were also certain aspects that lacked depth.
I especially found the way Pham showcased his journey with learning English a bit weird. He would use lines to imply that he doesn't understand most English words he hears around him at school or other places and I thought it was pretty clever visual effect but I think it was also forgotten to use at some times. Maybe I missed something, but I feel like he had some conversations with people who didn't speak Vietnamese and suddenly he understood everything that was said to him and after that the graphic novel went back to the lines and the implication of Pham not really understanding English.
March 7, 2024
having chapters separated by different foods was so clever and made for such a great throughline for this graphic memoir. i loved the endnotes at the end as well, and the art style was really unique and visually appealing. great story and a fast read—i definitely recommend this one!
August 4, 2023
4.5 stars.
March 17, 2025
This book had me bawling, especially at the end! I'm a sucker for stories about immigration and food and Pham ties those two themes together effortlessly.
June 28, 2024
Que memoir tan doloroso y hermoso🤧
December 14, 2024
3.5 stars
August 18, 2023
Beautiful graphic novel
November 28, 2023
Pham tells the story of his family's journey from Vietnam to the United States, and how they adjusted to the American culture. He aligns each stage of this journey to a food experience, and the resulting story is just beautiful. I nearly cried at every chapter. It's educational, it's moving, it's hopeful. Just lovely, and I want to recommend this to everyone.
February 9, 2025
super cute
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