Summary

The preface explains the genesis and long process that author and artist Thi Bui went through in order for The Best We Could Do to be published in its current incarnation. She explains that the seeds of the book began as a mixed media oral history project for graduate school before developing into a graphic novel. As she worked on it, the themes of the book expanded from the immigrant and refugee experience to also be "about parents and children."

Analysis

Thi Bui's preface provides context for the reader and frames the story and material which he or she is about to consume. The author establishes several of the book's themes directly in the preface (oral history, the refugee experience, the closeness of family, and the parent child relationship). The fact that the author highlights these themes before the reader embarks on the story...