Book Review #739 - The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir by Anh Do

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing -- not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days -- could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about.

Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family, and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was thirteen -- they felt his loss very deeply and their mother struggled to support the family on her own. His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university. 

Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four,' the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian! The Happiest Refugeetells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination -- a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it.

My Rating: 4/5

I have had this book on my TBR for sometime. I'm not that familiar with Anh Do as a comedian as I don't watch a lot of television but I became aware of this book because of the amount of "must read lists" I kept finding it on, the latest being the 2018 Dymocks top 100 which prompted me to finally read it. 

First of all I am a 5th generation Australian so I have idea what it is like to have cultural differences in your family but the way in which this book was written made everything very relatable and this was because it felt very genuine and never took itself seriously.

I loved that Do was able to take such a sensitive issue in society and make it such a fun, witty and hilarious read. 

The pictures used and their captions were particularly hilarious along with the clever antidotes involving his uncles. 

As soon as I finished this book my mum immediately started reading it as well.