Reviews

Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhhà Lại

mdevlin923's review

3.0

An visits her grandparents regularly, and she knows that her grandmother is struggling to remember her past. An and her grandfather decide to grow gac fruits so that they can make xoi gac, Ba's favorite dish from her wedding. It takes hard work and a lot of time, but they finally make the perfect xoi gac. Ba remembers something of her past; and it inspires both An and her grandfather to try again the next year.

This sweet story is both sad and uplifting. The illustrations are lovely.

themarnacle's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

mdpbernal's review

hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

carolineinthelibrary's review

5.0

An incredibly sweet book about An and Ong and the efforts they go through to help Ba get her memory back. Rich with Vietnamese language and traditions, I thought this was a great book for learning more about and appreciating Vietnamese culture, as well as appreciating a family story.

ubalstecha's review

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

mwbuell's review

4.0

Love the illustrations and emotions shown in the characters. I thought the author did a great job of showing Alzheimer’s from a grandchild’s perspective.

I love how in the end, An’s recipe didn’t “fix” her grandmother. The moment of memory was fleeting, yet, her family loved her so much that they would continue to bake and bake to help her remember.

danicamidlil's review

4.0

I'm not crying! You're crying!

ani_a_1's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.25

Dealing with illnesses such as dementia and using culture and food to connect and remember. The girl may not understand her native language but she is respectful and is open to her grandmother's tales.

lee_hillshire's review

 It's a lovely little story, but I found the prose to be somewhat awkward. 

missprint_'s review

4.0

Quite sad but also beautiful. Lovely artwork. Recipe at the end.