Book Review: Roses from the Crimson Rock (Vietnamese refugee family)

Roses from the Crimson Rock, An Illustrated Memoir of War, Escape and Healing, by Mina Ho Ferrante (Independently published, 336pp PB, $20.00, 2025) Review by Skye Anderson

A Quick Read You Can't Put Down

A family's saga in both words and pictures (and just the right number of drawings by various members of this large artistic family, generally two to a page which turns out to be nearly after each sentence). . . Vietnam over the decades as seen through the eyes of a 6-year-old (at times). . . Fear when escaping, sea pirates and hunger and thirst. . .and separation. Reunions a decade later, even within nuclear families.

The author chronicles the story of her father's escape from North Vietnam in 1953, the Communist hunts of 1968 and 1975, the large* family's escapes each time** and starting all over again and again - and the close calls. Being an artistic (for generations) and educated family, each member had to hide that and take on agricultural tasks but the illustrations are numerous and memorable, as drawn by various members of this very large family. The children each eventually 'farmed' themselves out to others and worked in exchange for room and board. And this from a formerly well-educated North Vietnamese family.

With plenty of cousins to play with always, and only slightly older aunts to give lessons and uncles to serve as role models, the author tell us of a society that cherishes the intergenerational family.

And finally with most of the family in the US, they all became (over)achievers, even the adults obtained a graduate degree. And many stayed in the artistic community.

Writing Style

Roses has much potential: I encourage the author to find an agent and hopefully a large publishing house. Only slight editing is needed. The novice reader to this genre of books might find the writing rather stilted but it reflects the background of the author, including her incredibly positive outlook on life and family. Two chapters are written in the voice of Ferrante's father, one chapter explains all the members of the author's fathers's side and another tells all about those on her mother's side.

*Typical families had 4-12 children and a family tree is included, as well as maps throughout. Illustrations tend to be water color or pen and ink (or charcoal)

**Much to my surprise, several members of the family who escaped to Thailand by sea wound up in a refugee camp in southern Thailand where I had been when I was teaching in the Thai education system.