A Long and Speaking Silence by Nghi Vo

A Long and Speaking Silence by Nghi Vo

Starting off with something mundane that I really enjoyed, one thread that has run through all of the Singing Hills books is excellent descriptions of food. If I don't have snacks with me while reading one of these, I will have to go get some, because they make me hungry! This book has an extra dose of that since Chi is spending lots of time in and around a restaurant. Readers who likes to know what the characters are eating will love this one.

This installment finds Chi in a port town that has received several waves of immigrants over its history, and the tale takes a close at the displaced peoples and how they are received. The tensions explored were palpable, and Chi has to decide whether to remain an observer or take action in the midst of it.

One curious thing was that, for me at least, this tale felt like it took place earlier in Chi's story than previous books. They felt younger and less experienced, and their neixin seemed younger too. I don't know that anything in earlier books has ever implied the series was sequential, with it being more vignettes in a larger tale. But all that to say, this was the first that seemed to place itself at a distinctly earlier point in Chi's journeys in my reading of it. Perhaps timing for the larger tale at work is the motivation for the placement of this particular story.

Anyways, the main takeaways are great descriptions of food, and a compassion for those who are displaced by disasters. Looking forward to where the Singing Hills Cycle goes next!