Don't Break My Rice Bowl: A beautiful and gripping novel, highlighting the personal and tragic struggles faced during the Vietnam War, bringing the late author and his 'forgotten' manuscript to life

Don't Break My Rice Bowl: A beautiful and gripping novel, highlighting the personal and tragic struggles faced during the Vietnam War, bringing the late author and his 'forgotten' manuscript to life

Narrated by:
Digital Voice Morgan G
A free trial credit cannot be used on this title

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
1
Narrator
1
Release Date
December 2023
Duration
7 hours 34 minutes
Summary
This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

Feeling life is slipping him by, an American agriculturalist heads to Vietnam to try and make a difference in the lives of the people as part of President Johnson's 'Hearts and Minds' campaign. There is just one big problem - there's a war going on. 

Eddie joins a small group of civilian advisors chosen to work with local farmers to help make Vietnam once again self-sufficient in rice. He is drawn to the adventure, the challenge, and the opportunity to make a difference, but he is leaving some problems behind. 

His story follows the ups and downs of cultural and tropical agriculture training in Washington DC and the Philippines, and then his assignment in the Gia Dinh province just outside Saigon. The stakes increase as the war intensifies and Eddie's connections in the country deepen, providing the backdrop for the cultural, political and personal struggles that unfold. 

This fictional memoir shines a light on a relatively unknown part of Vietnam War history as elements of Asian history and culture, including the introduction of 'miracle rice', are woven into the challenges of being a civilian trying to work - and live - in a war zone. 

The Foreword by his daughter, an Afterword by his second wife, the Appendix, and 25 hand painted illustrations by his granddaughter provide added poignant layers to the story. The fragility of life was the late author's parting lesson; however, these words left behind were his ultimate gift.

Hardcover ISBN  9781739615505, Paperback 9781739615536, eBook 9781739615543, Auto-narrated audiobook 9781739615550
Reviews
Profile Avatar
Anonymous

This intriguing narrative absorbed my attention, bringing back past memories of the 60s and 70s in the UK (when I was younger and more idealistic, and a regular attendee of the Quaker Meeting House in Brighton, UK). This was an era when my friends were protesting against American involvement in Vietnam. There is an anticipation of what is to come running through the story, coming to an explosive, poignant end. I have just had operations on my eyes and temporarily have difficulty reading. Now I am enjoying refamiliarizing myself with the story by listening to this excellent rendering. There is a good deal to take in and this is a very satisfactory way of doing this.

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$5.99
View Cart