Book Review: Banyan Moon by Thao Thai

📖 Quick Summary

Banyan Moon is the lush, emotionally layered debut novel by Thao Thai that spans continents and generations—from war-era Vietnam to present-day Florida. The story centers on three generations of Vietnamese American women: Minh, the resilient grandmother who once fled her home country; Huơng, her daughter weighed down by grief and quiet sacrifice; and Ann, Huơng’s own daughter, an artist trying to make peace with a past she never fully understood.

When Minh passes away, a mysterious inheritance and a long-buried secret send Ann and Huơng back into each other’s lives—and back into the shadows of a shared history. Through lyrical prose and powerful storytelling, Thai explores the legacies that shape us, the truths we inherit, and the bonds between mothers and daughters that are often strained but never truly severed.

📝 My Review

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—one that felt both deeply specific and universally resonant. I was immediately drawn in by Thao Thai’s writing style: lush, intimate, and full of emotional nuance. Each character is layered, complicated, and richly human.

I especially appreciated how Banyan Moon handles themes of memory and silence within immigrant families—how what goes unsaid can still define a life. The alternating timelines and perspectives added depth without feeling overly complicated. The novel honored the weight of cultural history while celebrating resilience and transformation.

If you love multigenerational stories like Pachinko or The Joy Luck Club, but crave something with a fresh, poetic voice in a Southeast Asian lens, Banyan Moon is a must-read.

🎨 My Scrapbook Spread

For this spread, I leaned into an Asian inspired theme. Understanding the Banyan Tree helped me understand a deeper sense of the novel. Therefore, i tried to portray the tree and flower garden mentioned throughout the novel. As with many families, the fellowship of food is present, and especially tea and pastries.

🎥 Watch the Review

Head over to YouTube to see the full Banyan Moon review and a close-up of my scrapbook spread. I share my favorite quotes, thoughts on the family dynamics, and why this book moved me so deeply.