House of Sticks

By: Ly Tran

Narrated by: Ly Tran

New York City Book Awards Hornblower Award Winner

One of Vogue and NPR’s Best Books of the Year

This beautifully written “masterclass in memoir” (Elle) recounts a young girl’s journey from war-torn Vietnam to Queens, New York, “showcas[ing] the tremendous power we have to alter the fates of others, step into their lives and shift the odds in favor of greater opportunity” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis).

Ly Tran is just a toddler in 1993 when she and her family immigrate from a small town along the Mekong river in Vietnam to a two-bedroom railroad apartment in Queens. Ly’s father, a former lieutenant in the South Vietnamese army, spent nearly a decade as a POW, and their resettlement is made possible through a humanitarian program run by the US government. Soon after they arrive, Ly joins her parents and three older brothers sewing ties and cummerbunds piece-meal on their living room floor to make ends meet.

As they navigate this new landscape, Ly finds herself torn between two worlds. She knows she must honor her parents’ Buddhist faith and contribute to the family livelihood, working long hours at home and eventually as a manicurist alongside her mother at a nail salon in Brooklyn that her parents take over. But at school, Ly feels the mounting pressure to blend in.

A growing inability to see the blackboard presents new challenges, especially when her father forbids her from getting glasses, calling her diagnosis of poor vision a government conspiracy. His frightening temper and paranoia leave a mark on Ly’s sense of self. Who is she outside of everything her family expects of her?

An “unsentimental yet deeply moving examination of filial bond, displacement, war trauma, and poverty” (NPR), House of Sticks is a timely and powerful portrait of one girl’s coming-of-age and struggle to find her voice amid clashing cultural expectations.

Critic reviews

"Ly Tran narrates her own memoir describing the struggles she faced growing up in a Vietnamese–American immigrant family in New York City. Tran beautifully pieces together short, personal stories about her family and the poverty and racism she encountered as she tried to find a sense of belonging. With powerful vulnerability and moments of humor, Tran takes listeners on her inspiring journey."

A beautiful glimpse

I love the perspective and beauty of this story. My perspective of immigrant families has been enhanced and therefore expands my awe of the struggle to make a better life for themselves and future generations. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story of love, mental health struggles, glory, hardship and triumph Ly Tran! I can’t wait to read everything you publish.

Love

I loved this book. It was heartwarming and eye-opening. Really enjoyed that the author was the reader.

Loved it!

Ly's memoir narration was captivating and such vividly told. This is my first time finishing an audiobook within just a few days- that's how amazingly written it is. I highly recommend House of Sticks to those that need inspiration. Ly not only overcame tremendous hurdles, but defied the odds with her strength and resilience. Looking forward to future works from Ms. Tran.

Captivating

Ly Tran’s story will captivate you as she tells how she made it out alive.

Great memoir with layers of challenges

I enjoyed reading the trials and tribulations from an emigrants perspective. Resettling in another country where your first language isn’t spoken must be difficult. I appreciated And can relate to, Ly’s depression and internal conflict of loving her dad (and understanding his poor choices) balanced with self care and tending to her needs. I enjoyed how she shared female oppression woven throughout, and from Asian perspective; as well as conflict seeing her mom as a victim and wanting to protect her (and understanding how her mom became that way) yet frustrated her mom doesn’t stand up for herself. Many layers, and an informative and thought-provoking read!