In a collection of writings by descendants of Vietnam War veterans and refugees, Viet Thanh Nguyen, known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Sympathizer, shares his experience as a young refugee arriving in the United States. He reflects on the moment he was separated from his parents to live with a white family before reuniting with his own. This separation left an enduring impact on him, a feeling he describes as an invisible mark on his psyche. This process of finding meaning in such experiences is at the core of the narratives featured in Inheriting the War, offering insights into what poet Terrance Hayes refers to as “the long shadow of war.”
The anthology delves into the emotional gap between war survivors and their descendants, showcasing stories like Teresa Mei Chuc’s account of her father, a South Vietnamese Army captain who endured imprisonment and torture. The struggle to connect with a father burdened by unresolved trauma is a recurring theme, as seen in Lily Katherine Bowen’s poem about her father’s haunting combat flashbacks and in Nick Flynn’s depiction of his stepfather seeking forgiveness from a survivor of the My Lai massacre.
The writings highlight the ongoing work of bearing witness to the aftermath of war, as seen in Philip Metres’s reflection on the impact of war on subsequent generations and Nguyen Quang Thieu’s poignant poem acknowledging the widows left behind by the conflict. The narratives also touch on personal losses, like Ocean Vuong’s tribute to his uncle and the profound silence that follows death.
Through diverse perspectives, the collection emphasizes the importance of empathetic understanding across generational and cultural divides. Terrance Hayes’s quest to uncover his grandfather’s combat death and Ben Quick’s exploration of his father’s exposure to Agent Orange show the complexities of inherited trauma and the necessity of grappling with the legacies of past wars.
Ultimately, the writings in Inheriting the War prompt readers to recognize the shared inheritance of historical conflicts and the responsibility to engage with their lasting effects. The poignant story of Hanh Nguyen Willbond, who connects with her father through his poem “Song of Napalm,” underscores the enduring impact of war on individuals and their descendants. These narratives serve as powerful testaments to the ongoing repercussions of war and the collective journey toward understanding its consequences.
