Fans of The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen or Pachinko by Min Jin Lee will appreciate Things We Lost to the Water. This work should captivate readers interested in multi-generational immigrant stories, family dynamics, and the Vietnamese diaspora, weaving rich narratives of resilience and identity.

Eric Nguyen’s Things We Lost to the Water has garnered praise for its evocative storytelling, rich character development, and immersive portrayal of the Vietnamese immigrant experience. However, some reviewers felt the narrative pacing lagged at times. Overall, it is celebrated for its emotional depth and cultural resonance, despite minor structural issues.

Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen follows the lives of Hương and her sons Tuấn and Bình as they emigrate from Vietnam to New Orleans to rebuild their lives. The novel explores their struggles with identity, family, and assimilation, as each member faces distinct challenges and traumas in their journey to carve out a sense of home and belonging in a new country. Includes references to war, trauma, and anti-gay bias.

Melancholic / Nostalgic / Bittersweet / Emotional / Contemplative

- Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen was a highly anticipated debut novel and was featured in the BuzzFeed's list of "Most Anticipated Books of 2021" even before its official publication.
- The novel's title, Things We Lost to the Water, reflects a thematic exploration of the impact of water, both literal and metaphorical, on the lives of the characters, tying into Nguyen's interest in how memories and landscapes shape identity.
- Eric Nguyen, before publishing his debut novel, has contributed to various literary platforms and is known for his work as a literary editor, continuing to support and uplift voices in the Asian-American writing community.

**Hương**  
A determined single mother and refugee from Vietnam striving to build a new life for her family in New Orleans amidst cultural and personal challenges.

**Tuấn**  
The older son of Hương and Công, who navigates his Vietnamese heritage and the struggles of assimilation while growing up in New Orleans.

**Bình (Ben)**  
Hương and Công’s younger son, raised mostly in America, whose search for identity leads him away from his family’s expectations.

**Vinh**  
A Catholic immigrant from Vietnam who becomes Hương's partner and attempts, with varying success, to support her family.

**Addy**  
Bình’s childhood best friend, a fellow child of immigrants, who later becomes Tuan's girlfriend.

**Lan**  
Công’s second wife in Vietnam, who presents an alternate life path for Hương had she stayed in her home country.

Eric Nguyen

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Things We Lost to the Water reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Things We Lost to the Water | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Things We Lost to the Water and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Things We Lost to the Water Summary and Study Guide

Background

Things We Lost to the Water Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1-Part 2, Chapter 5

Things We Lost to the Water Part 1-Part 2, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapter 6-Part 3

Things We Lost to the Water Part 2, Chapter 6-Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Parts 4-5

Things We Lost to the Water Parts 4-5 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Things We Lost to the Water Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Things We Lost to the Water Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Things We Lost to the Water Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Things We Lost to the Water Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Things We Lost to the Water Essay Topics

Things We Lost to the Water

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Things We Lost to the Water?

Reading Age

Book Details