This book talks about grief, maturing, immigration, identity, etc. Truly, I was entirely taken aback by this book because it’s so fascinating. Initially, I could not find the words to describe it because it’s so unique and, personally, very hard for me to categorize. But, its style and language was definitely new to me and I would recommend it for anybody wanting to branch out from their usual reading choices.

My only complaint is: I believe some parts of it could’ve been edited / remastered to become more personal / emotional. At times, it became a little monotonous and it needed a more intimate touch.

All in all, I love this book and it gave me the pleasure of that furrowing your eyebrows kind-of-confusion and continuing to read nevertheless to discover what it is that had long been unknown to you.

It lays out the fragmented memory of someone who grew up in diaspora: snippets of survival, snatches of words and sounds and images from different languages, longing and colors. It gave my own broken, disparate diaspora memories a shape and language to hold on to.

Bold yet shyly intimate: this is a peek into Nguyen's childhood diary, and it feels like an honor to be trusted with such secrets.

A deeply moving project that deconstructs the body and memory as a series of puzzle pieces, waiting to unlock a grander narrative about the self and diaspora.

Favorite poems:
- If I Say My Body is Grieving
- Letter to the Diaspora (all of them)
- The Boat People
- Ode to Hunger
- Suzi as a Series of Questions
- Unending

Dear Diaspora was a stunning read. Nguyen has such a way with language, I'm glad I discovered her writing through this ARC.

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Overall, I enjoyed the fresh perspective that this book gives into the experience of a Vietnamese immigrant family in America. The poems were raw and emotional in the best possible ways. They were so captivating that I hardly realized that I read this in one sitting.

This is the debut collection of Susan Nguyen, and considering what I read here, I can hardly wait to see what else she creates in the future!