Only the Heart - Book Review

The novel only the heart, gives the reader a different understanding and a new perspective on what the refugees go through, and the emotions and feelings of refugees. Only The Heart consists of different events that display many situations on what happens in a country of war and what people experience of refugees. It makes the readers re-think the way they see refugees based on their experiences. The reader is shown stories through out the novel with love, passion, sacrifice, survival, and the bonds they have and share for each other.

Happiness and Joy is shown within the novel when the family is reunited. In the story of Toan and his family when they are waiting at the airport for his family, to arrive from Vietnam. In the story of the family at the airport, there is a good quote that states; "The future is a country on the far side of despair". This quote explains how the future can be changed, and that not everything goes as planned. This quote also speaks about how the country is on the fare said of despair. When Toan is at the airport he also quoted, " Besides, they were infected by the adults agitation". This quote shows emotive language, this is situated to the reader that Toan is giving his perspective about that adults would be nervous because they could be excited to see each other and also they have been separated for a long time. While they were waiting, the grandmother walked over healthy, and from Toan perspective he saw that, "The family did a compulsory scream". Is an example of hyperbole, to add in exaggeration. But it informs us that the family was so happy to see their grandmother after such a long period of time.

In the novel, only the heart there is numerous accounts of loneliness. It quotes, "darkness was a blanket covering the world". This is the use of metaphor. While they are in Pilau Bisa, it shows just Linh's true feelings of loneliness. But it also show's that she would rather be alone, as she feels a lot safer by her self. Through the use of personification in the quote "they sky understands". It is also an example of loneliness whilst they are on the boat in the Malaysian sea. This shows that there is feeling that no one else is able to understand the pain they're are going through after they escaped from their country and became refugees, yet the sky shows the emotions and feelings that are being experienced. These emotions make the reader re-think their perspectives on refugees because of the emotional struggles they have gone through.

Personal sacrifice is evident throughout the novel and gives the reader a touching insight into the dilemma of refugees. Casewell and Chiem characterization assists the reader to gain a greater perspective. Mai sacrifices her freedom to save her daughter Phuong from being raped by Pirates. The reader's emotions are evoked to admire and respect such an act and