Thao's Story - Softcover

Doug Wright

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0979829305 ISBN 13: 9780979829307

Publisher: Kellsare Books - Connecticut, 2007

It is the week before Memorial Day, 2004. Alone in her Manhattan apartment, 34 year old Thao, known as Susan Nguyen at the medical center where she works, once again hears her mother's words...the one who comes for you will be your father. And so, this young woman's tale begins at a time when presidential politics, America's war on terror and the 30 year old Vietnam conflict are in the headlines. As she prepares for the final phase of her life long quest to identify her father, either a billionaire capitalist or a misguided wreck of a soul, she learns her Afghan boyfriend, once a refugee like herself, is a terrorist suspect and in the sights of the FBI. In his fast paced first novel, Doug Wright takes us into the mind of a mysterious young Amerasian woman determined to fill in the holes of her past and to honor her mother's wishes.

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About the Author:

Doug Wright was born in New York and raised in Connecticut, where he has resided for many years. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, where he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. He had a thirty year career in business, most recently owning and operating a small executive search consultancy. THAO'S STORY is his first novel. He is presently at work on another, THE HEADHUNTER, the second in the planned TIGERS IN THE HOUSE trilogy.

Review:

Torn from the headlines of today's media, born from the experience of service in the Vietnam War, and polished with an uncanny understanding, Mr. Wright's first novel is a provocative reading experience... Meet Thao, an Amerasian refugee, thirty something, residing in Manhattan, educated, smart as a whip, and struggling with the holes in her past. Like layers being peeled from an onion, each chapter dives deeper into the complex stew of horror, nationalism, prejudice, and strong will, which have created her current persona... This novel presents a history lesson, a civics class, as well as an adventure whose ending will not fail to surprise you... Mr. Wright has produced an excellent first piece of writing. --DKelsey

I picked up THAO'S STORY, and I couldn't put it down until I got to THE END. It's a perfect example of a page turner. Additionally, it's a hell of a well-written story... For openers it has the ring of authenticity. The tale is disturbing in the good sense of the word and on many levels. Of course I was rooting for her to find her real father, although when the two suspects turned up, I had decidedly mixed feelings about a family reunion. On one hand, I was relieved that she found her father, but I was happier when she dropped the sonofabitch... Thao's pain, i.e., the memories of her mother, her uncle, her family and her homeland, her search for the missing father may be the most telling illustration of the ill-advised, ill-executed Vietnam War, and I was impressed that you didn't turn your novel into an agit-prop manifesto. I was just plain impressed with your skills as a storyteller. I truly believe that THAO'S STORY is the stuff of a solid, gripping movie. --DAspland

My first impression was it would make a really good movie. Thao is very strong, beautiful and a bad ass. A dream part for a young actress. Her search for her father is a good hook that kept me dangling. The flashbacks to tell her story flowed nicely. Though some parts were difficult to read, I thought the book was well researched and educational. It made me ashamed of our leaders at that time, and it is happening all over again. I liked the ending with Thao completing her quest and getting some revenge, and I especially liked her finding happiness. As you can see, I am from the 'lives happily ever after' generation... Would make a great book club selection. --CBenson

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