Hope and Healing in Thi Bui’s ‘The Best We Could Do’

Abstract

Thi Bui's graphic novel, "The Best We Could Do", is a powerful exploration of one journey from war-torn Vietnam. The narrative delves into the anguish of immigration and the enduring impact of displacement on a child, providing an intimate portrayal of the challenges faced by refugees. Bui vividly reconstructs her family's troubled past through poignant illustrations and heartfelt narrations, creating a transportive picture of life in Vietnam and America. The memoir is recognised for its evocative storytelling, making it a touching exploration of the search for a better future and the longing for the past. Through evocative illustrations and heartfelt narrations, Bui vividly reconstructs the troubled past of her family. The narrative explores the anguish of immigration, the lasting effects of displacement on a child, and the search for a better future while grappling with a longing for the past. This ambitious memoir not only serves as a powerful historical record but also delves into the themes of hope and healing amid adversity. As Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize winner, describes it, the book is a poignant journey that both breaks and heals the heart. "The Best We Could Do" stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of challenging circumstances. This paper strives to show the significance of graphic memoirs in academia and society and how they create an alternate history that is humane and de-centres the prevailing accounts that ignore marginalised voices.