Those Opulent Days is a historical novel set in 1928 French occupied Vietnam. It follows four wealthy privileged boys, childhood friends, who receive an ominous fortuneteller’s warning : one will die; One will lose his mind; One will pay and One will agonize. This isn’t your typical murder mystery and all of the characters are unappealing. However, the characters and the dark story are compelling, showcasing the deep schism of racism during Vietnam’s colonial occupation by France. Brilliant setting and characterizations, but be warned this is a violent, sad, & depressing tale of four doomed friends.
Recommended for those who enjoy historical novels combined with a mystery.

Duy, Edmond, Phong and Minh have been the best of friends ever since Edmond sauntered over to the other boys on the playground of their private school and inserted himself into their games. As three of the richest native-born heirs in Vietnam, Duy, Phong and Minh were already very tightly knit. Accepting the European Edmond into their circle had come easier for some of them than for others, but there was no denying the bond that grew between them all as the years elapsed.

Fitting into the roles expected of them by their families and society at large was a more awkward matter. Duy, perhaps the most self-aware of the group, has long resigned himself to being both fabulously privileged and undeniably subjugated:

QUOTE
Duy hadn’t studied, of course. What was the point? The year was 1917, and his nation–the fierce, brave Vietnam–had fought the war and lost. More than thirty years prior, the French had come around and freely split the land in three; they named the north Tonkin, the south Cochinchina, and the central lands Annam. They glorified their actions through propaganda–they hadn’t just invaded Vietnam, civilising a poor and underdeveloped colony. They had wiped entire cities off the map, bestowing them Westernised identities. The ground Duy currently stood on had once belonged to the Nguyen lords and was known as Gia Dinh–but now, the French called it Saigon. Even at eleven years old, Duy knew the obliteration of his entire country’s origin would never be mentioned in history books penned by the French. Why should Duy bother memorising the tales the foreigners told about his own nation?
END QUOTE

As the boys grow into adults, they each find different ways to buck the expectations of their social circles, in a perhaps futile attempt to escape the claustrophobia of their race- and class-based high society. Duy inherited his father’s opium business but treats all his employees with unusual fairness. Scholarly Phong abandoned his intellectual ambitions after realizing he could never please his pharmacist father, and spends his days in a cloud of opium instead. Cruel Minh has found solace in forbidden love, while Edmond spends his days drinking, unable to reconcile his natural inclinations with the bone-deep racism of his parents.

When one of them unexpectedly dies while the four are on an intoxicant-fuelled weekend, their crystalline worlds are shattered. Worse, it soon becomes clear that the dead man was the victim of foul play. But who would have wanted to murder him, and why?

Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of suspects, not least of whom are the three survivors. Even their loved ones, the people they’re supposed to trust the most, aren’t above suspicion. Each of the men has refused to fit into the mold expected of them, and their hard, unwavering parents can be ruthless when it comes to punishing perceived transgressions.

Perhaps this is simply the price one pays when attempting to uphold a tenuous position in a society created and policed by the rapacious greed of colonialism. Jacquie Pham explores the many different aspects of how the demands of race and class intersect, not only through the eyes of the privileged but through the experiences of those with far fewer advantages. Tattler, for example, is a servant in the household of Minh’s family. Sold by her starving family into servitude, she is only one of many who must stand in attendance at the fancy parties Minh’s mother regularly throws:

QUOTE
Tattler bit back her annoyance; there simply wasn’t enough space for the feeling. Her hunger already dominated her thoughts–she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The small piece of steamed sweet potato was long digested. She and the other servants wouldn’t have their dinners until long after the party was over, and even then they would only consume the tasteless Western potatoes mixed with half-cooked rice and paired with the saltiest dry shrimp. The leftovers from the party, according to Madame Như’s instructions, were to be dumped into the waste bin. Madame didn’t feel comfortable sharing the dishes with her servants, for she believed it was cruel to show them a glimpse of a life they could never lead.
END QUOTE

This bitter irony is never directly revealed to be the result of either genuine stupidity or a belief in the gullibility of their social inferiors: either way, the upper class is shown to be almost relentlessly awful, even as four of its scions spiral into death and murder. It thus felt strange to me that the narrative continually asks for empathy for these young men and their selfish choices. While much can be understood, a mulish refusal to do better can hardly be forgiven, much less condoned. Still, Those Opulent Days is an eye-opening and undeniably educational glimpse into colonial Vietnam, even if it is hard to root for anyone who conflates luxury with survival, or the mere absence of maliciousness with some form of heroism.

I felt the richness of the rich, the poorness of the poor. I felt the characters struggles and conflicts within and amongst each other. This book tiptoes nicely around the main plot, just when you think you’re starting to learn more, you realize you have so much more to learn. It’s so incredibly enticing, and I love that it pieces together the story through each character’s point of view. The detailed descriptions transported me to what I could imagine as 1920’s French-colonial Vietnam. I definitely recommend this read!

We are introduced to four childhood friends, who bonded during their stay at a boarding school for the elite. And then we rejoin them when they are in their twenties, trying to craft some kind of life within the boundaries set by their respective families. Needless to say that it doesn't work out for neither of them, as their formative years are in an environment ruled by cruelty and an enormous disparity between the wealthy and the poor.

Vietnam in the 1920's was exploited by the French and they hold the whole population, including the elite in their power. In this social fabric, no-one is safe from the horrors of abuse, torture or death and it makes a extremely bleak read. Although very well written (and hence the four stars), I found it very difficult to read on at times. Difficulties turn into despair, bringing out the worst in people and there isn't a moment of hope or relief, only a struggle for survival, both for the poor and the rich. For those opulent days, they are not. There is only fear for one's life in a setting where no-one can fulfill any potential.

Although it is a difficult read through the hopelessness of every character, I still wanted to continue reading as I found the style very compelling and the general setting of 1920 Cochinchina and its diverse characters very well crafted. As a whole, the book was completely different than I expected, not only through its bleakness, but also the lack of a real mystery. For me the book is a period piece and all about character development and immersion in another time and place. The murder is more a vehicle to carry the plot, than a true mystery in the classic sense.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Atlantic Monthly Press and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Intriguing start that pulled me in right away! Those Opulent Days is a historical murder mystery set in 1920s French colonial Vietnam (often referred to as Annam because of the French colonization of the region). We get switching POVs told in third person narration, mainly following the 4 friends Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond. But we also get some chapters from the perspectives of the women in their lives; Tattler, Hai, Marianne, and Madame Nuhr. Because of all the switching chapters it could be confusing at times- there’s just too many POVs for my taste 😅

The mystery kept me engaged as we follow the characters from the night of the murder and flashing back to the few days leading up to the tragedy! Pham creates an atmospheric drama filled with glamour, violence, and wealth. It was difficult to read at times due to the unlikeable characters, especially with how cruel Minh and Edmond could be. And two of the twists I could see coming from the beginning but it was an interesting, unique story nonetheless!

This was a strong debut novel and taught me a lot about Vietnam during the French Colonial period! I can’t wait to read more from Pham in the future.


TW/CW: death of parent, murder, animal death, colonialism, physical abuse, classism, rape, starvation, vomit, death, grief, racism, blood, self harm, alcoholism, infidelity (brief mention), medical trauma, pregnancy, childbirth

Jacquie Pham's novel is an immersive look into French colonial Vietnam in the 1920's. The corruptive power wielded by the French, and the wealth and violence of the opium trade combine to shape, and ultimately ruin the lives of the four young men at the center of this book.

Although billed as a murder mystery, this book reads more as a historical novel with a fascinating cast of characters whose flaws seem predetermined by their circumstances. There are almost more trigger warnings than I can list. The drug and alcohol fueled rage, madness and violence were difficult to read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Set in French-colonial Vietman. The story of these four friends will get your attention from the beginning. Wonderfully written, and you are able to notice all the excellent research done by the author. A story that will show you how things worked back in those days, the rich the poor, the advantages and disadvantages both groups had. I believe this book also teaches about the not very often told history of Vietnam.
If you enjoy a murder mystery together with historical fiction, this is the right book for you

1920’s French-colonial Vietnam - the story centers around four rich heirs (and childhood friends) as they visited a fortune teller who predicted that, thirteen years later, one of the friends will be dead.

Beyond the typical murder mystery, the narrative is enriched by the historical context - Pham covers colonization, privilege, power and violence through the lives of the characters, whose success is built on repression and other's misfortunes. Pham crafts characters immersed in toxic relationships however they anchor each other by their existence. The characters are not meant to please one, rather, through their psychological episodes, the author paints a vivid portrait of the elite society tormented by glamour and addiction.

Deep secrets and dark motives populate the pages, and one's excitement comes from the engaging writing and moments of introspection that compel one to escape into the character's reality. I found satisfying the journey of unpeeling the character's past connections, even though it took some time to get there. The several POVs might feel distracting and I wish there was more time spent with the side characters. The examination of colonization and race can make the story hefty and while it might be formulaic at times, the ending quite surprised me.

THOSE OPULENT DAYS is for readers who enjoy a more purposeful murder mystery with a unique setting and despicable characters. I thought it was a solid debut and I am curious to see what Pham writes next.

This book is going to make waves when it’s released.
Such a spectacularly written book with a multi-layered storyline that captivates you but also leaves you ruminating long after you've read it.

Nothing was sugar-coated in this book. Full of raw and harsh realities of what happened during the French colonial rule of Vietnam.

The mystery aspect definitely has you on the edge of your seat to figure out what happened.

But to me the real beauty of this book is the very honesty, very brutal, very stark and very intellectually written accounts of - the major inequalities of the distribution of wealth, the perceived superiority of the French during the rule, the fragility of elitism and power of the Vietnamese that were part of the upper class, the absolute disregard of the lower class & so many more realities of what a nation under colonial rule endures.

There’s so much more I could say about this book.

Jacquie truly did an incredible job with this book and I cannot wait to read more of what she writes in the future.

Historical fiction is a genre that is so close to my heart, I just love the way authors give you a glimpse into the past in a way that truly transports you to that time. The characters are fiction but you always know what’s being written was the realities of actual people. It’s a genre that has to be done a certain way else it’s going to fall flat and Jacquie Pham is truly a writer that did historical fiction justice.

I am so honoured to have been given an ARC of this.
THANK YOU NetGalley, Jacquie Pham, Grove Atlantic and Atlantic Monthly Press for giving me an ARC of this book!

‘The four of you. One will die.’

Set in French-colonial Vietnam (then known as Annam) during the 1920s, this murder mystery held my attention from beginning to end. Duy, Phong, Minh and Edmond, sons of wealthy families, have been best friends since childhood. One day they visited a seer, who prophesied:
‘The four of you. One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. […] One will die.’

Unsettling.

Later, in 1928, responsible for their families’ businesses, the four of them get together in a family mansion for the evening. Only three of them survive.

‘But denial was the sole emotion they all excelled in. Time passed in a silent blur.’

Who killed the fourth, and why? The story unfolds slowly in a world of privileged colonial glamour (for some), drugs and the power of the wealthy. We learn about each of the four young men, their family businesses, their own ambitions as well as the expectations of their parents.

The focus is on the six days leading up to the murder and involves multiple perspectives. The multiple perspectives provide some insight into the gulf between the wealthy and their servants, the racism and (from some) intentional cruelty.

Ms Pham paints an uncomfortable picture of colonial privilege and exploitation. The colonisers are powerful: those colonised are not. Violence, drug and alcohol abuse are all included, and it is clear that the lives of the powerful are important, while the less important are treated as entirely interchangeable and disposable.

For me, while the murder mystery became less important than the setting, I did find the conclusion satisfying. Be warned though, that this is not a novel for the squeamish.

I finished the novel determined to learn more about the history of this period.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Things I liked about the book - the concept of the story, the descriptive writing, the semi- historical setting. Things that kept me from loving it - the time shifts (confusing!), the characters (not well developed and extremely difficult to differentiate), the rambling lack of focus.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Set in 1920s Vietnam, four friends from wealthy families who revel in indulgence are shocked out of complacency when one of them is murdered.

Unfortunately, I was not able to fully review this book due to there not being a Kindle version made available for download, which is something any future reviewers may wish to keep in mind.

This was disappointing for me, as I was really looking forward to this title, as it has a lot of good reviews from my peers and appears to weave an interesting story between some hard-hitting subject matters. I will be purchasing once I am able to and amending my review to suit.

Apologies to Jacquie Pham and the publisher for this incomplete review.

Jacquie Pham’s Those Opulent Days is a historical fiction novel set in 1920’s French-colonized Vietnam (known as An Nam at the time and its citizens, Annamites - though this isn’t super clear from the book). The story follows 4 childhood friends from affluent families, and one night, one of them is found dead. The timeline then backtracks to the past 6 days and is told from the perspective of the four friends, their servants, and family members.

Fair warning, this book was a very intense read - there’s violence, sexual assault, opium and alcohol abuse, and lots of murders (victimization of innocents and servants) involved.

Each character is represented very well, with a distinct voice and a complex background. It’s clear that the author has done a lot of historical research into French-colonized Vietnam, so I wish that the book actually leaned into this more, especially since these stories are so uncommon and it would’ve helped with world-building and immersing the reader in a different time period. The book does repeatedly touch on the fact that French people are superior no matter the wealth or influence of the Ammanite elite, but it is pretty surface level, and doesn’t go into details of cruel exploitation of their land, labor, and people. The author has a talent for writing and is able to make you feel sympathetic for the main characters and dislike them at the same time. The author also brings to light important issues, like the subjugation and violence towards women that are often silenced and dismissed in times of colonial strife.

This is marketed as a murder mystery, which I feel actually hampers the story development, as it is restricted by some formulaic structure that is common to mysteries. The story actually takes a bit of time to pick up initially because of all the exposition from past connections with each character.

I was actually confused as to which boy was murdered until near the end of the novel, not sure if this was intentional. Because murder is treated in a cavalier manner in the book (there is plenty of murders described) and most of the characters are pretty despicable people (again, I think this is a restriction from the murder mystery element as they need a reason to kill one of the main characters), it was hard to care about why or who murdered one of the boys. There are some characters who were less terrible, so I wish their stories would’ve been developed more but were a little more neglected since it was too obvious they were not the killer.

Overall, an illuminating read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing an ARC for review.

Incredibly vivid, Jacquie Pham’s historical novel illustrates the colonizing of Vietnma in the 1920's/. The foud friends, Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond have been close since childhood and are now adults running their family businesses. Via the four, their parents and surrounding staff we learn quite a bit about the viciousness of the time. Pham paints a clear picture of opulence amongst the French in their mansionsas the Vietnamese try to survive as servants.

The story backtracks six days before the murder, but I would say that the novel is more about the time in Vietnam rather then the mystery or even the friends. It's a carefully crafted snapshot of life at that time that is just as relevant today. #groveatlantic #thoseopulentdays #jacquipham

Jacquie Pham’s debut, “Those Opulent Days,” is a captivating historical murder mystery set against the backdrop of 1920s French-colonial Vietnam. The story revolves around Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond, childhood friends now influential young men in Saigon’s elite society. However, their reunion at a lavish mansion in Dalat takes a dark turn when one of them is murdered. The narrative alternates between the fatal night and the six days leading up to it, offering perspectives from the four men, their mothers, servants, and lovers. This multifaceted approach reveals a web of terror, loyalty, and secrets.

As the mystery unfolds, the true villain emerges—not just a single character, but the colonialism and economic disparities that plague Vietnam. The French occupation has created a society where the wealthy live in opulence while the poor suffer, adding a layer of social commentary to the murder mystery.

“Those Opulent Days” is both a vivid historical novel and a meticulously structured murder mystery. Pham’s rich characterizations and intricate plot make for an unforgettable read, although the fragmented viewpoints may challenge some readers. Overall, it’s a gripping tale of friendship, betrayal, and the harsh realities of colonial rule.

Dive into the depths of a chilling historical enigma that sheds light on the destructive impact of colonialism, the French occupation of Vietnam, socioeconomic disparities, and deep-seated prejudice. Don't be fooled - this isn't your typical murder mystery. Those Opulent Days may be dark and at times shocking, but the well-crafted setting and compelling characters will draw you in and keep you enthralled.

As early as the first pages, as a reader, there is an instant realisation that this book is absolutely well crafted and that the story will appeal to the imagination. The subject is delicate and difficult to absorb since it is in fact really painful to read about how cultures clashed. It is very brave form the author to craft such an interesting story about this period and this country. I would encourage anyone to read the book and follow a path of realistion about a non so distant past. Thank you for the copy to the author and the publisher, all opinions are mine.

"Those Opulent Days" by Jacquie Pham is classed as a murder mystery. The murder is a small element and colmination of the wider exploration of four friends....complex, loving, tolerant...the different faces of a long-term friendship. "One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. And one will die".
Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond have been best friends since childhood and are rich coming from the most influential families of 1928 Saigon. Well, except for the French of course, who govern Vietnam and treat the locals as second class citizens in their own country. All the more bizarre that Edmond is French and has continued his childhood friendships.
The book is narrated by the four men, their mothers, their servants, and their lovers. The cross section of perspectives reveal an intricate web of terror, loyalty, and horrific secrets.
Each friend has a distinct personality although all fragile and damaged by their upbringings. Finding solace in opium and alcohol is common. And as the fortune teller predicted, the final outcomes were dire for all.
An enjoyable read, although I lost a little momentum near the end. I was shocked by the actions of certain parties and the story telling was quite graphic in this respect but totally founded. Afterall, Saigon of this era was a violent, poor and conflicted place.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jacquie Pham and Grove Atlantic for my copy.

This book had every chance to be good, but it was just not executed well. I don’t know if it’s just because I don’t like historical fiction, but isn’t a mystery supposed to hook you? That wasn’t the case here as I had to force myself to pick this up. I must admit, it had lovely prose, and we can relate this to the current situation in Palestine. For that sole reason, I do appreciate this book.

For me, the writing of the characters was too vague or it felt like the author didn’t know the characters at all. They felt so similar to each other to the point that I wasn’t even bothered to differentiate them.