The Sentimentality of Sympathy: Addressing Asian American Neglect through Literary Commentary of The Sympathizer

Abstract

On September 19, 2019, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa had a special guest. Viet Than Nguyen is a renowned author, historian, and in his own words, an immigrant. Nguyen captured hearts and feelings during his sincere talk growing up during the Vietnam War and fleeing with his parents to California. Nguyen has left a piece of himself in this novel as it explores a young man’s narrative after the war. Students had an opportunity to submit a literary commentary to any one of his books. I chose his Pulitzer Prize winning book, the Sympathizer. My essay analyzes Nguyen’s work, without spoilers, explaining the unique quirks that are brought about and ties it to modern tangible topics that we have now. I hope at the end of this piece you will be swayed to indulge in The Sympathizer just like I did and enjoy the twist at the end.