The writing is rough, with a lot of “telling” instead of “showing.” It made the book hard to get into, but by the time I got used to the writing, I found the story so compelling that I didn’t really care about style. Yes, it could use some editing. There were a few phrases that seemed unintentionally repeated throughout the book, but they may catch that before the final copy. Also, the writer could add some descriptions of people and places to give the reader a clearer mental image. However, it does provide a clear feel for the place and could be a very valuable text for anyone studying recent Vietnamese history or the general rise of communism. ( )

The year is 1975 and North Vietnam has defeated Saigon. Fourteen-year-old Viet Nguyen is about to have his world turned upside-down as Communist reform sweeps the country. Suppressed and robbed of most of their personal possessions, Viet and his family survive by pretending to tow the Communist line. Viet, however, gets caught dealing in the Black Market and is sent to labour camp where he and his fellow workers are starved and worked to the point of illness and oftern death. Based on a true story, this is a fantastic tale of resilience and courage. The characters are brought to life on the pages. A definite recommended read. ( )

I received a copy of Dennis W. Dunivan's Escape from Communist Heaven from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers giveaway and provide my unbiased review with appreciation for the opportunity. Although this is a fictional novel it is based on the true experiences of Viet Nguyen and his journey of seeking freedom from South Vietnam at age 14. The author wrote the novel through the eyes of a teenage boy trying to adapt to the rule of communism in his country. Freedom, self-worth, and basic living needs were abruptly stolen from Viet and his family. The author was able to capture the fears that set in when the communist rule made it's way into South Vietnam. Despite their best attempts, Viet's family was unable to escape the reality that their lives were soon to change in a way they could not wish to imagine. Viet's rebellious nature led to his being taken prisoner to a labour camp where he faced unimaginable torture under communist leadership. The novel shares the internal and external fight that Viet kept in order to gain freedom as his ongoing motivation. The author was descriptive in setting the scenes of Saigon, the labour camps, jungles and complex waterways. Themes flowed throughout the novel while sharing the resiliency and determination of Viet, his parents and family in their fight for freedom. The author wrote of the complex dynamics and roles within Viet's family and the relationship that he held with his peers and later with co-prisoners at the labour camps. It was evident that Viet felt an ongoing confusion and indescribable anger towards communist rule as he continued to follow commands that went against his learned values in order to stay alive. It was clear that the author spent a significant time with his research in order to share his fictional account based as close to fact as possible. He did not sugar coat the poverty, disease, torture and death, it happened and he told it as it was. My one criticism is that the ending felt rushed and abrupt. I would recommend this novel to ages 14 and up. I commend Dennis W. Dunivan for penning this story that needs to be shared and to Viet Nguyen for being a positive advocate for freedom and change. ( )

This story begins with the collapse of the Vietnam War as the American troops pull out of the south and Saigon. It describes one young man's journey out of Saigon and communist controlled Vietnam to America. I found it to be slowly paced and although there was plenty of information and descriptions it failed to capture me as a reader. ( )

Viet Nguyen lived in Saigon just before the collapse of the Vietnam War as a teenager who enjoyed the freedom to hang out with his friends, go to the cafe and get a coffee, or just do nothing and take a nap.
With the fall of Saigon, the Americans evacuated Vietnam and the South fell to the North Vietnamese and communism. The story opens with Viet's parents fear of the communist takeover and having a taste of it in the north, decide to leave the country. They do not succeed. Viet's father was part of the military intelligence and the fear of what can now happen to him as well as the family prevails over the story. They must learn as a family to confirm to communism and learn to curb their true opinions so that the family will survive.
Viet is the oldest son and must quickly mature into a young adult in order to survive especially when he gets thrown into a re-education camp. Viet bears witness to much of the atrocities that are done to civilians as communism trickles into the homes of all.
I read an advance copy of the book. This is geared as a young adult story but in some parts might be difficult for someone of say 13 years old to understand. Also $17.99 is quite high to pay for a young adult hardcover book and felt the book would probably sell better as a paperback. One thing that really bothered me about the book is that on the cover it states "Based on a true story" and yet does not give the main character Viet Nguyen, who is a real person any credit for revealing his story to the author Dennis Dunivan. In the back of the book after the story it states that Mr. Donovan "also interviewed other Vietnamese refugees and wove many of their stories into the novel." Is it based on one person's experience (as advertised on the cover 'based on A true story' with no mention of that person's name on the cover) or is it based off of more than one refugee with many experiences woven into one? ( )