Consider the quote from page 2, and discuss ways in which the image communicated here is reflected throughout the rest of the narrative in terms of event, structure, and sensibility.

Given what you know and can intuit about Kien's character, what do you think he chose to do with the commandos who raped the farm girls in Part 3? Does he execute them or does he let them live? Explain your answer.

Consider the quote from page 69, and discuss this statement could be made of war in general, contemporary and/or historical.

Discuss the ways the various women in Kien's life are portrayed. What are the similarities, in terms of both individual character and relationship to Kien's experience, between Phuong, Lan, Huynh, Kien's mother, and the other women? What do you think is the author's intent in establishing these similarities?

Discuss your interpretation of the character...