February 1

Crossing the Bamboo Bridge

By Mai Donahue

Mai tells the story of her early years in a Vietnamese peasant family, struggling as a young teen bride in a forced marriage, barely making ends meet in Saigon, finding work as a nanny, maid, ice cream cart vendor, learning English, and eventually meeting her husband Brian, an American serviceman.  While we think of Vietnam mainly in terms of a war that America lost and more recently as a favorite tourist destination, Mai writes of real life trials in a rural, poor country.  Today, Mai is an active mom and grandmother, well-known in Barrington for her delicious cookery and outgoing, friendly heart.  It is incredible to read of her journey, her childhood struggles and the people who hurt her along the way, as well as those - especially a saintly second wife of a wealthy Vietnamese man - who helped her find confidence and a new faith.

Mai's website contains updates on her adventures, as well as some of her yummy recipes!