Paradise of the Blind unfolds a rich tapestry of family history and personal struggle against the backdrop of Vietnam's turbulent political transformations during the 1980s. Hang, a young Vietnamese woman living in Russia, is drawn into this intricate past when she receives news of her ailing uncle in Moscow. As she journeys across the vast landscape, memories of her family's trials and her own upbringing come flooding back, painting a vivid picture of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for identity.

A Journey into the Past

The narrative begins with a glimpse into Hang's life in Russia, where she works at a textile factory. Her journey to Moscow, prompted by a telegram about her uncle's illness, becomes a vehicle for nostalgia and reflection. As the train moves, so do her thoughts, traversing the landscape of her childhood in Vietnam, and the complex history of her family.

Hang's mother, Que, remains an indomitable figure in these flashbacks. Orphaned early, Que marries Ton, a schoolteacher, and finds contentment until her brother, Chinh, returns from war in 1956. Chinh, now a staunch communist, turns their world upside down, labeling Ton an enemy because of his landlord heritage. This accusation thrusts the family into the chaos of land confiscations and public denunciations, severing Que's ties with her husband and her sister-in-law, Tam.

Resilience Amid Repression

The fallout from the land reforms echoes through the village, prompting a government-mandated "Rectification of Errors". While villagers air their grievances, Que becomes a scapegoat due to her brother's actions. Yet, her sister-in-law, Tam, steps in to shield her from the community's ire.

As Hang's train presses onward, she recalls how her mother fled the village's oppressive atmosphere, resettling in Hanoi's vibrant yet harsh environment. Here, Que ekes out a living as a street vendor while Hang is born into a life shadowed by unanswered questions about her father. Hang's childhood is marked by solitude, as her mother's silence leaves her yearning for a father she never knew.

Family Ties and Tensions

Her uncle's return after a decade stirs the pot once more. Hang, barely nine, watches as neighbors flock to honor Chinh, now an influential figure in ideological education. His disdain for Que's street vending as bourgeois activity is palpable, yet his true motive is revealed: a claim to the family inheritance.

In a poignant revelation, Que shares the story of Hang’s father, Ton. After fleeing the village, Ton finds temporary sanctuary but is forced to keep moving. He eventually settles with a Muong woman and fathers two sons. His bittersweet reunion with Que in Hanoi marks Hang's conception, but tragically, his life ends in despair as he drowns himself, unable to reconcile his past and present.

Wealth and Wrath

Hang's visits to Aunt Tam's home reveal another facet of her family's past. Tam, once dispossessed, has regained her wealth through the government's corrective measures. Her prosperity is a stark contrast to the poverty Hang and Que endure, yet Tam remains unforgiving towards Chinh, holding him accountable for past injustices.

Back in the present, Hang navigates conflicts with her Russian roommates and reflects on her aunt’s lavish, if overwhelming, affection. Her discomfort with the opulence persists, just as Que refuses to embrace the opportunities Chinh offers, clinging instead to her own hard-won independence.

Gifts and Sacrifices

As time passes, Aunt Tam continues to lavish Hang with gifts, while Que redirects her energies toward Chinh's family, despite the hardships this brings. The Tet holiday underscores these themes, with Tam providing generously for Hang, symbolizing both love and obligation.

Hang’s visit to Chinh’s family is marked by an unspoken tension. Chinh’s...