Three Funerals for my Father

Love, Loss and Escape from Vietnam

What would you risk to save your children?

Jolie Hoang grew up as one of ten children, part of a loving, prosperous Vietnamese family. All that changed when the communists took over in 1975; the family lived in constant fear of being sent to the dreaded “new economic zone.” Desperate to ensure the family’s safety and to provide a future for his children, Jolie’s father arranged three separate escapes. The first was a failure that cost most of their fortune, but the second was successful—six of his children reached Indonesia and ultimately settled in Canada. He and his youngest daughter drowned during the disastrous third attempt.

Alternately told from the author’s perspective and that of her father’s ghost, Three Funerals for My Father is a poignant story of love, grief and resilience that spans three countries and fifty years. It is an intimate story of one family, a testament to the collective experience of the “boat people” who escaped communist Vietnam, and a plea on behalf of the millions of refugees currently seeking asylum across the globe.

Contributors

Jolie Phuong Hoang

As a teenager, Jolie Phuong Hoang escaped from Vietnam with her siblings. Arriving in Canada in 1984, she enrolled in high school and then trained in mathematics, all the while retaining her love of writing. Her work has been recognized by the North Street Book Prize (Winner, Literary Fiction, 2020), the San Francisco Book Festival (Honourable Mention, 2020) and the Surrey International Writers Festival (Finalist, 2020). A college professor of mathematics, Jolie lives with her daughters in Fonthill, Ontario.

Chapter Contributors Pages Year Price
The ghost of the author’s father narrates this chapter, recounting his life and death. The author’s father died escaping Vietnam, on his way to reunite with his six older children in …
11 $1.10
The author narrates this chapter, talking about events in her life and her family. She reflects on her relationship and memories with her father.
9 $0.90
The ghost of the author’s father shares memories and wisdom. He recounts the family’s move to Quảng Đức and the aftermath, including his experiences in prison and release.
10 $1.00
The author explores more memories of her father. She recounts the last day she ever spent alone with her father.
3 $0.30
The author’s father’s ghost recounts life in Đà Lạt and the arrival of war.
9 $0.90
The family takes trips to Saignon, setting up to escape Vietnam. Both the author’s and her father’s perspectives are included.
5 $0.50
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. It gives insight into the changes and challenges faced by the family under the communist government.
3 $0.30
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She speaks about her mother and their relationship.
3 $0.30
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. He and his wife discuss the future and critique the communist government.
3 $0.30
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She recalls going back to her childhood home with her daughters.
4 $0.40
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. He muses on emigration and escape from Vietnam, and recounts a scam and failed escape attempt.
4 $0.40
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She continues to recall a trip to Vietnam with her daughters and recounts other memories growing up in Vietnam.
10 $1.00
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. He continues to plan his family’s escape.
9 $0.90
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She describes a a short trip to Trại Mát and reminisces on a time when her younger sister got very sick and was treated by her …
7 $0.70
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. He executes an escape plan.
6 $0.60
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She tells the story of her escape from Vietnam as a child.
11 $1.10
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. It follows the aftermath of his sending his children away to escape the country.
2 $0.20
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She continues to tell the story of her escape to Indonesia.
12 $1.20
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She continues to tell the story of her escape, starting with her arrival in Indonesia.
15 $1.50
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She continues to tell the story of her early days in Indonesia. She details an illness suffered and horrors she witnessed and heard of …
10 $1.00
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She reminisces on various memories of her family life.
5 $0.50
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She describes her arrival in Canada.
10 $1.00
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. It recounts events after the author and her siblings escaped Vietnam, and the eventual death of the author’s father …
6 $0.60
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She learns of her father and sibling’s death and receives a letter from her father, which arrived months after their deaths.
5 $0.50
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective after his death as he looks on his familly in Đà Lạt.
12 $1.20
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. He is re-buried by his family.
6 $0.60
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She visits her father’s grave.
7 $0.70
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She continues to detail her early life in Canada.
6 $0.60
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. He witnesses the death of his wife and his childrens’ lives.
4 $0.40
This chapter is told from the author’s perspective. She muses on memories of her mother.
4 $0.40
This chapter is told from the author’s father’s perspective. His remains are cremated and brought to North America.
3 $0.30