Patricia

Patricia is one of the main characters and first person narrators of the novel. Her first person perspective guides both Parts I and II. Throughout these sections, Patricia relays her experiences as a young American woman in Saigon at the time of the Vietnam War to her late friend Charlene’s daughter Rainey. Therefore, in the narrative present, Patricia is an elderly woman. She is living in a convalescent home and reflecting on her former life in her correspondence with Rainey.

Patricia grew up in the United States. She was an only child and lived with her mother and father. In college, she befriended a young woman named Stella. Unlike Patricia, Stella was bold, outspoken, and passionate. Patricia also liked spending time with Stella because she had a lively home life and many siblings. Although Patricia was more reserved and passive than Stella, she often joined Stella’s...