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How Do I Begin? A Hmong American Literary Anthology (Hmong American Writers' Circle)

Hmong history and culture can be found in the form of oral stories, oral poetry, textile art, and music but there is no written account of Hmong life, by a Hmong hand, passed down through the centuries. As an undergraduate, Burlee Vang experienced this void when he received valuable advice from his English professor: 'Write about your people.That story has not been told. If you don't, who will?'How Do I Begin? is the struggle to preserve on paper the Hmong American experience. In this anthology, readers will find elaborate soul-calling ceremonies, a woman questioning the seeming tyranny of her parents and future in-laws, the temptation of gangs and drugs, and the shame and embarrassment of being different in a culture that obsessively values homogeneity. Some pieces revisit the ghosts of war. Others lament the loss of a country. Many offer glimpses into intergenerational tensions exacerbated by the differences in Hmong and American culture.How Do I Begin? signifies a turning point for the Hmong community, a group of people who have persevered through war, persecution, and exile. Transcending ethnic and geographic boundaries, it poignantly speaks of survival instead of defeat.

Series: Hmong American Writers' Circle

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Heyday (August 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 159714150X

ISBN-13: 978-1597141505

Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches

Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #73,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Regional & Cultural > United States > Asian American #70 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Asian #573 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National

This is a beautiful book about a remarkable people who not only learned to create a written language after a thousand years of oral tradition, but who also learned to love and write poetry, essays, and the stories of their culture. I highy recommend it.

Another great book from the Library about the Hmong culture, I love it as I am married to a Hmong and am always learning new things through these books, thanks for carrying such a huge variety !

A wonderful look into the lives and feelings of generations of these immigrants as they assimilate into American culture and different ways of looking at life.

Good condition. Would recommend for buyers.

Thanks

Such a beautiful work by some of my favorite artists. Burlee is truly an artist and a writer for all.

I grew up in the Twin Cities and my BFF from grade school was a hmong girl named Kia Xiong. Wonder where she is now? But Kia got me curious about Hmong people. Overall the book was good, but some writers were better than others. I grew up watching wrestling with my dad and brothers, call me a tomboy. so I could related to Ka Vang's story, Pao Dreams of Bodyslams, Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan. It was my favoriate story in the book. At one point I also wanted to be a wrestler so I felt like Ka Vang was writing my story. And yes, I am a girl.

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