Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Best We Could Do summary
Thi Bui
Brief summary
The Best We Could Do is a heartfelt graphic memoir by Thi Bui, that depicts her family's journey from war-torn Vietnam to a new life in America. It explores themes of identity, family, and sacrifice in the pursuit of a better future.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Best We Could Do
Summary of key ideas
A Glimpse into Turbulent Times
In The Best We Could Do, author Thi Bui vividly reconstructs the troubled past of her family through poignant illustrations and heartfelt narrations. The memoir begins with the birth of her first child, an event that compels Bui to revisit and explore her own parents' journey, full of trials and tribulations, from Vietnam to the United States.
The narratives then take shape with the turbulent history of Vietnam, where Bui's parents, Bố and Mẹ, witness the grim brutality of the war, the relentless passions of the oppressed, and the disheartening dilemmas of a society in chaos. Amidst physical and psychological trauma, their gaps of understanding grow deeper, making the concept of 'home' ever so elusive.
The Trek towards an Uncertain Land
The middle section of The Best We Could Do is embroiled in the dangerous and exhausting journey of Bui's family on a fragile boat with hundreds of refugees, leaving behind everything familiar, risking their lives for a vague hope of a brighter future in America. This perilous voyage to a foreign land was scarred with discomfort, desperation, and despair.
Upon arriving in America, their newfound 'freedom' is marred by financial struggles, lingual barriers, and a pressing sense of alienation. Their impulse to hold on to their cultural roots while trying to amalgamate into the American society turns into a constant struggle.
The Echoes of a Wartorn Past
Throughout Bui's exploration of her family history, the echoes of war persist. The horrific past continues to inflict scars long after the physical wounds have healed, taking a heavy toll on their emotional well-being and family relationships; toxic patterns form and experiences of loss and separations persist.
Bui’s art beautifully captures these echoes, portraying a deep sense of longing, questioning identity, and the relentless search for belonging. It is a silent testament to the resiliency of human spirit and sheds light on the unfortunate rifts that form within families who have endured traumatic experiences.
The Search for Connection and Understanding
In the concluding parts of the memoir, Bui finds herself coming to terms with her own identity as a Vietnamese American, while continuing to grapple with a haunting past that she has inherited. Her journey towards embracing her nationality and ethnicity conveys a compelling message about the power of empathetic understanding, especially when reconciling personal and collective histories.
In sum, The Best We Could Do illustrates Thi Bui's quest to understand her parents' captivating experiences, bearing witness to a turbulent historical period. Through examining her own life and those of her parents, Bui imparts the importance of compassion and resilience attached to individual and collective narratives of the past. The memoir is both a nurturing ode to understanding one's roots, and a tender exploration of what it means to be an immigrant in America.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Best We Could Do about?
This graphic memoir tells the story of a family's escape from war-torn Vietnam and their journey to a new life in America. Through beautiful illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, Thi Bui explores the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring power of love. It is a poignant and deeply personal account of the refugee experience and the sacrifices made for the next generation.
The Best We Could Do Review
The Best We Could Do (2017) is a poignant graphic memoir that explores the author's family history and the refugee experience. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through powerful illustrations and intimate storytelling, it offers a sensitive and personal perspective on the complexities of war, displacement, and identity.
- The book delves into universal themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggles of parenthood, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeply emotional level.
- It delves into the intergenerational impact of trauma and the quest for understanding one's roots, making it a thought-provoking and deeply human exploration of family history.
Who should read The Best We Could Do?
- Readers who are interested in personal stories of immigration and the refugee experience
- Individuals looking for a deeper understanding of family dynamics and intergenerational trauma
- Those who appreciate graphic novels as a unique storytelling medium
Categories with The Best We Could Do
Book summaries like The Best We Could Do
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Best We Could Do FAQs
What is the main message of The Best We Could Do?
The main message of The Best We Could Do is a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the immigrant experience.
How long does it take to read The Best We Could Do?
The reading time for The Best We Could Do varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.
Is The Best We Could Do a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Best We Could Do is a captivating and poignant memoir that is definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of The Best We Could Do?
The author of The Best We Could Do is Thi Bui.
How many chapters are in The Best We Could Do?
The Best We Could Do has 10 chapters.
- Introduction
- Beginning
- Separation
- Elation
- Illusion
- American Dream
- The Most Good
- Communion
- Belief
- Beginnings
How many pages are in The Best We Could Do?
The Best We Could Do contains 334 pages.
When was The Best We Could Do published?
The Best We Could Do was published in 2017.
What to read after The Best We Could Do?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Best We Could Do, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Emergency by Neil Strauss
- The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Man Who Fed the World by Leon Hesser
- Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
- Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh
- Do No Harm by Henry Marsh