Child of the Dust

Child of the Dust, a novel by Tom Wascoe, opens in Vietnam in 1970. Richie, a serviceman, is smitten by, Linh, a young Vietnamese woman. One thing leads to another and Linh has Richie's son. Richie desperately wants to marry Linh and to be a father to his son. He promises he will find a way. Sadly, not all promises can be kept.

Gripping from start to finish, the narrative is told alternately by the protagonists. Their lives took very different paths. Linh suffered immeasurable tragedies and losses. Through it all, she sacrificed and protected her son. Richie married an American woman, had a child and became a successful business man. He never stopped thinking about Linh and their son. Whether it was by fate or coincidence, their paths cross twenty years later. Is it too late for them?

This is an intense story in which readers can immerse themselves in. There is an intricate plot. Skillfully, the author convincingly portrays a wide cast of characters. I found this to be a powerful, emotionally complex story that deals with loss, love and the pain of the past. Highly recommended.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

Thinking this would just be another book on the Vietnam War evolved into a riveting epic. I could not put this book down! I thought it an excellent insight into the realities of victims of this war and would highly recommend it.