Front Porch Book Club Podcast
Grab your book and iced tea and join the Front Porch Book Club, your no-commitment, casual, and eclectic podcast about books. We examine the relationship between characters, the worlds they live in, and what that means to us.
Latest Episode
120: Nguyên Phan Quê’ Mai
In a heartfelt conversation in this episode, author Quế Mai shared her inspiring journey as a writer and the powerful themes explored in her novel, DUST CHILD. The discussion illuminated the significance of reclaiming narratives that have long been silenced,...
120: Nguyên Phan Quê’ Mai
In a heartfelt conversation in this episode, author Quế Mai shared her inspiring journey as a writer and the powerful themes explored in her novel, DUST CHILD. The discussion illuminated the significance of reclaiming narratives that have long been silenced, particularly the stories of Vietnamese women during and after the Vietnam War.
Quế Mai’s passion for storytelling was ignited in her childhood in Vietnam, where her family’s poverty during the American trade embargo. Despite being discouraged from pursuing a writing career due to danger and financial instability, and after a successful career in business, she returned to her writing aspirations, feeling a strong calling to tell the stories of Vietnam from the Vietnamese perspective, countering the often one-dimensional narratives presented in Western literature.
In her quest to document the experiences of Vietnamese affected by the war, Quế Mai drew from interviews with Vietnamese and Americans and their stories of regret, loss, and hope. In DUST CHILD she aimed to capture the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the deep scars left by war, especially from the viewpoint of women who were too often overlooked in historical accounts.
The novel’s central characters, two sisters, embody the diverse experiences of women during the war. Quế Mai noted how their contrasting personalities reflect the multifaceted nature of resilience and survival. One sister is dreamy and romantic, while the other is pragmatic and fiercely independent. Through their lives, the author illustrates how the war affected women differently, yet profoundly, showcasing their strength and vulnerability.
Quế Mai’s writing style blends poetic elements with prose, aiming to evoke the Vietnamese spirit in her storytelling. She shared that her upbringing in a culture steeped in poetry greatly influenced her writing approach. The result is a narrative that resonates emotionally, inviting readers to engage deeply with the characters and their journeys.
As a Vietnamese woman writing in English, Quế Mai faced unique challenges, including overcoming language barriers and cultural differences. However, her dedication to conveying authenticity drove her to refine her craft, ensuring that her characters' voices were genuine reflections of their experiences. She emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural context when representing characters from different backgrounds, as seen in her portrayal of Dan, an American veteran.
Quế Mai’s DUST CHILD is more than just a novel; it is a heartfelt tribute to the women of Vietnam and an exploration of the lasting impact of war on families and communities. Through her journey as a writer, she emphasizes the importance of reclaiming narratives and recognizing the humanity in every story. As we reflect on her insights, we are reminded of the power of storytelling in bridging cultures and healing wounds.
About Front Porch Book Club
I honestly was blown away by the deep dive Nancy and Linny did into SPARKS LIKE STARS and really appreciated the personal perspectives they brought.
Nadia Hashimi, Author
Every month the Front Porch Book Club features two episodes on our selected book. In the first episode Linda and Nancy introduce the book and discuss their thoughts. In the second episode, Linda and Nancy are joined by the author or an expert to delve deeper into the book. Our book selections are eclectic: fiction, autobiography, history, memoir, investigative journalism, and classics. They are books that give us insights into how we may be more intentional, creative, and loving.
Recent Episodes
117: Shift
A new year means a Front Porch Book Club book that will help us think about who we want to be in 2026 and give us some idea of how to become that person! This year, we chose SHIFT: MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS -- SO THEY DON'T MANAGE YOU by Ethan Kross. The book was...
116: Lois Lowry
Today we interview Lois Lowry about her book, THE GIVER. Lois Lowry has written more than 20 books for young adults and is a two-time Newbery Medal winner. Lowry was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, elementary school in Carlisle, PA, and attended junior high school in Tokyo,...
The Giver
It’s December, so we are continuing on with our tradition of doing a kid’s book, but this year, the kids are a little older. This is more like a young adult novel. Our book is THE GIVER written by Lois Lowry. It became an instant classic when it was published in 1993....
114: Holiday Catch-up
This is a short, catch-up episode of the Front Porch Book Club. Nancy admits that she ran out of time finding a guest for Crazy Rich Asians. Kevin Kwan was unavailable (!) as were a number of the experts Nancy contacted. Instead, we catch-up on what is going on in our...
Meet The Hosts
Growing up, Nancy always had her nose in a book. She never remembers not loving to read books. Linda, on the other hand, hated libraries and spent her childhood trying to lure Nancy away from books into some other activity that she thought would be way more fun. That’s right – we’re sisters. Nancy was more of an introvert and Linda was more of an extrovert. But, somewhere along the way, Linda started loving books and Nancy started loving talking about books. Nancy is a recovering academic in Nebraska who writes and Linda is a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania.