The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen is a absorbing and thrilling novel that is a perfect fit for readers who appreciate complex, layered storytelling and are interested in exploring themes of post-colonialism, new ideas, and the complexities of identity, as well as those who enjoy literary fiction with a dark and humorous tone.

After reading Nguyen's first book, The Sympathizer, I was excited to read The Committed. This has been a difficult read for me in that I've started and stopped several times. While the overall writing is strong, I felt the plot meandered in confusing ways - at times it was so abstract/philosophical, I lost track of what was actually happening. It was also hard to relate to the characters (which I expected given The Sympathizer), but this made it harder to feel connected to the story.. This might be the type of book where you just need to be in a certain state of mind to fully appreciate and I'm not there yet.

An ambitious novel and a sequel to The Sympathizer, The Committed was a hard novel to finish. I know the author was indebted to the thinkers he mentions in the acknowledgements section but the frequent expositions, for me, seemed to slow the narrative. Other than those instances, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Highly recommended.

Viet Thanh Nguyen's "The Committed" is a tour de force that captivates from beginning to end, delivering a gripping narrative that delves deep into the complexities of identity, politics, and morality. Building upon the groundwork laid in his Pulitzer Prize-winning debut, "The Sympathizer," Nguyen crafts a sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but surpasses it in depth and scope.

Set in 1980s Paris, "The Committed" follows the journey of the nameless narrator as he navigates the treacherous underworld of crime and revolution. With his razor-sharp wit and keen observations, Nguyen skillfully explores themes of colonialism, communism, and capitalism, providing a nuanced examination of power dynamics and the human condition.

What sets "The Committed" apart is its multifaceted protagonist, whose moral ambiguity and existential struggles resonate deeply with readers. As he grapples with questions of loyalty and identity, the narrator's internal turmoil mirrors the broader societal upheaval occurring around him. Nguyen's ability to weave together personal narrative with larger historical and political context is nothing short of masterful, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories that keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Moreover, Nguyen's prose is as elegant as it is evocative, transporting readers to the gritty streets of Paris and immersing them in the sights, sounds, and smells of a city in flux. His vivid descriptions and vivid characters breathe life into the pages, making it impossible to put the book down.

"The Committed" is more than just a gripping thriller; it is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the enduring legacy of colonialism. Nguyen's fearless exploration of taboo subjects and his unflinching commitment to truth-telling make this a novel that demands to be read and discussed. In a world where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred, "The Committed" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the search for meaning in an often chaotic world.

I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was an engaging sequel to The Sympathizer. It 2as thought-provoking and as usual very well written by this brilliant author. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

It started well but I couldn't finish it, perhaps it's the prose or writing style. I give this book only 3 stars.

Thanks for the review copy. This was a nice sequel to The Sympathizer. I learned a lot about refugees. Thanks again and I’m sure others will learn a lot too and enjoy it.

I think Nguyen is an amazing writer. Overall this was fun and thought provoking. What an intelligent, crazy, enjoyable read!

Beautifully written, thoughtful, compelling work. I really look forward to more from this author. This book has a lot to say, and says it so well.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

The Committed is a sequel to The Sympathizer, it follows the consequences of the history so deftly portrayed in the first book. Now in 1980s France, this book is about the dichotomies of main character, something that would be interesting to discuss with a book club. It could be read on its own, but I still highly recommend reading The Sympathizer as well.

I really loved the Sympathizer, and the Committed is the sequel. This book gives the perspective of a refugee fleeing Vietnam and I really enjoyed the political discussions throughout the book. There is a lot of darkness to this book, but with a tinge of satire. Very enjoyable read.

A much improved sequel to Nguyen’s more famous The Sympathizer, The Committed expands on Nguyen’s gift of voice to tell a much more personal tale of half French half Vietnamese existence. It’s a good tale for the bicultural minded, and a good exercise in how to plot well without throwing away emotion.

The Sympathiser flees the USA and heads to Paris with his friend Bon. Once there, he soon falls into a milieu just as violent as what he has been fleeing; the drug trade. He also falls in with his communist-sympathising aunt and her left-wing intelligentsia friends. As an apostate who changed sides during the war, he is anxious to hide his true political leanings from both the murderous Bon and his aunt's circle, while defending his lack of orthodoxy to the latter group.

This leads to the book containing a great deal of narrative monologues and debates between characters about war, revolution, colonisation, political ideologies, and the challenges of assimilation. That's fine if those discussions are what you are looking for; I wasn't.

This is a writer that I will read / no matter what they produce. So good. Such an interesting concept and execution of a story - I asked myself questions like -‘what does it mean to belong ? Complex and nuanced and written in such an interesting way. Bravo!

Viet Thanh Nguyen brings a much appreciated darkness and satire to some of the most incorrigible moments of Vietnamese history. Strong as his other novels, this is a must read.

I loved The Sympathizer and so had high expectations for this one, and it did not disappoint! Nguyen's writing is so mesmerizing, it draws you in ways that I wish I could do myself, in my own writing. I'm happy that stories like these exists, it gives so much credence to Vietnamese voices.

In the sequel to Nguyen's Pulitzer winning The Sympathizer, our nameless narrator finds himself in early 1980s France, in the shadow of Mitterrand's victory, floating between the city's many milieus, whether the French Left, Vietnamese emigres, or Parisian drug gangs. Our narrator remains torn by his multiple identities, haunted by his past crimes (the ghosts are back!), disillusioned with his ideological cause (after enduring and surviving his reeducation), and repeatedly angered at the patronizing French intellectuals whose opposition to the War doesn't stop them from romanticizing their colonial pasts. Nguyen gives us a frenetic novel that thrusts us from violent action to ridiculous sex orgies filled with colonial symbolism, to long introspective passages about intellectual thoughts informing the post-1960s left in France. Nguyen's writing can come off as too much at times, too showy, not hiding his academic prowess through the long-winded thoughts of his narrator. But he still manages to keep the reader engaged, not only with the novel's captivating plot but also with an awesomely dry and hilarious wit that often left me chuckling. Not as strong as The Sympathizer (tough act to follow) but still impressive, with Nguyen's growing confidence as a writer willing to try new things and explore new ideas on full display.

Wow. What a complicated, traumatic, eye-opening novel about life as a refugee living in Paris. Our unnamed narrator is a former spy-turned-gangster who shares his viewpoints on all things political, social, philosophical and familial. This is a heady, often gruesome book, not for the faint of heart. It is very good and I'm grateful I read the prequel ahead of it.

Thanks to Grove Atlantic for an advanced reader copy via NetGalley.