Tangled Threads is a story full of the trials faced by a young, Hmong refugee. Because I am neither Hmong nor a refugee of any sort, I can not speak to the authenticity or the accuracy of the story, but the way it is written is believable, and takes you for an emotional ride.
Mai's journey really is relatable to a ball of tangled threads. What starts off as Mai coming of age in a refugee camp, as a young Hmong girl, becomes the journey of a young, Hmong girl coming of age into her own culture, as well as into a new culture. It is the story of a young woman trying to find where she fits in her family, cultural community, and wider American community. What starts off as a single thread becomes a ball of tangled threads, but by the end of the book it seems that she is beginning to find a way for these threads to intertwine, instead of tangle.
While much of the story is relatable (we all know a Heather and a Yer), I had some conflicting feelings toward the story. While the author did a great job of introducing the reader to aspects of the Hmong culture, like Pa'ndua, shaman and funeral practices, many times there wasn't much of a follow through. I was very interested in a lot of the things in the novel, but had no clue as to why they happened. I also found myself feeling really uncomfortable about certain aspects of the culture (teenage brides, multiple wives, abuse) that just seemed to be okay.
Ultimately, I found the novel informative and enjoyable. I found it helpful in understanding my adopted siblings who came to this country as older children, and found myself relating their experiences to Mai's. Even though it left me feeling somewhat uncomfortable, I feel like it provides a valuable message, and it's a read I'd recommend to everyone.
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