Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

In her memoir Made In Vietnam: My Epic American Journey, Elaine Damschen describes growing up in a household with strict control and uneven affection, where she learned to monitor her behavior and limit her emotional expression for stability. As she enters adulthood, she leaves home to attend Boise State University, forms a life with Todd, and begins making decisions that differ from those she absorbed as a child. When Todd receives a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Damschen has a central role in sustaining their family while raising their children. A trip to Vietnam reveals the circumstances of her parents’ past and clarifies events that had been unexplained throughout her life. With that knowledge, Damschen redefines how she approaches family relationships, financial responsibility, and communication, establishing a home that operates through consistent structure and direct involvement in each decision she makes.

Elaine Damschen’s Made In Vietnam is a gorgeous depiction of a real life shaped across continents, and the author shares so many personal moments. I loved it when she had a meeting with her grandfather in Ho Chi Minh City, where their recognition is through gesture alone. Years later, she organizes a ceremony inside a care facility so her mother can witness her grandson’s marriage. Damschen's strength pours from the page, and every time I was sure the most difficult had to be in the rearview mirror...nope. The universe has more to pile on her. But she persists. Interestingly, there are nuggets that readers can and should take note of, like after returning from Vietnam, Damschen changes her spending habits and teaches her kids about giving. She also pursues an Executive MBA while juggling work and home, showing how education can reshape life's direction at any stage. Readers who love good memoirs about a life centered on family, cultural identity, and lived experience across the generations will adore this book. Very highly recommended.