Speaking of enduring trials and tribulations, few stories can match the real-life experiences that form the backdrop of Thanhha Lai’s novel, Inside Out & Back Again. Inspired by the author’s memories of her family’s struggles before the fall of Saigon, the book introduces readers to its resilient protagonist – 10-year-old girl Kim Ha – who closely mirrors the author’s journey of striving for a better life. Written from a first-person angle and presented in verse, this distinctive narrative of the book allows readers to intimately tread the pathways of Ha’s world, forming personal connections.
Through Thick and Thin
The story takes place in 1975 in Saigon, a city in South Vietnam. As the North Vietnamese Communist Army gets closer to Saigon, Ha and her family make the poignant decision to abandon their home, embarking on a voyage aboard an overcrowded ship bound for uncertainty. They spend an entire month on the ship, facing many challenges until an American Navy vessel comes to their rescue, towing their ship to Guam. Ha’s family ends up living in a tent city in Florida; from there, an American man sponsors her family, taking them to Alabama.
Ha and her family start a new chapter in Alabama, finding jobs and attending American schools. Ha’s odyssey is learning English and confronting the stark realities of racism. Yet, despite the hardships, the solid family gradually adapts to the local culture, becoming friends with welcoming neighbors. With her brothers as an ally, Ha even confronts “Pink Boy,” a bully who keeps harassing Ha for her ethnicity. The novel ends with Ha’s family celebrating the Lunar New Year and hoping for better times ahead, welcoming a fresh start amid all the challenges they have gone through.
The Power of Artistic Expression
Divided into three parts – Saigon, At Sea, and Alabama – the novel mainly delves into the challenges Ha encounters. Ha’s unwavering spirit, however, prevents the story from becoming sentimental. Despite being intelligent and well-raised in Vietnam, she finds herself relentlessly taunted and pitied in Alabama, even enduring the indignity of eggs and toilet paper thrown at her home. Remarkably, Ha candidly shares her raw feelings with readers, even saying that “at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama.” Throughout the novel, Ha overcomes the pain of being an outcast, and in doing so, reclaims both her academic confidence and her sense of belonging in her new community.
One of the most striking elements of the book is its use of literary devices. Written in a verse format, the unique style allows readers to immerse themselves in Ha’s world in an instant, making it a quick read. In addition, metaphors and similes such as “smelling like the sun” and “crinkles like paper on fire”, enhance the descriptive richness and emotional impact of Ha’s narratives. Lai shows Ha’s struggles with English pronunciation by emphasizing Mrs. Washington’s name as “MiSSSisss WaSShington”, which adds depth to the story.
Inside Out & Back Again is more than just a beautifully written novel; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. In the author’s note at the end, Lai reveals her motivation, shedding light on transforming her memories into a literary work of art. This book is sincerely recommended to those who have experienced the challenge of feeling like an outsider in new surroundings, as Ha's abiding determination and positive mindset will serve as a source of inspiration. Her story also serves as a call to action, reminding readers that refugees in modern society continue to face immense challenges. Readers are encouraged to extend a helping hand to those who, like Ha, are going through their trials in search of a better life. Through the thick and thin of life’s challenges, readers will all learn a valuable lesson from Ha’s unwavering resilience.