Summary

In Chapter 16, “July 29, 1979—Downing Street,” Prime Minister Margarater Thatcher wrote a letter to the Nguyen family regarding “the future of” their people and family (89). She would “accept another 10,000 refugees” into the UK (89).

In Chapter 17, “January 1980—Sopley Refugee Camp, Hampshire,” the night of Duc and Ba’s departure for London, Anh hosted dinner. Sophie, Duong, Bianh, and the boys’ teacher Mrs. Howard also attended. Although happy for her friends, Anh felt “a shameful hint of jealousy” (93). Before they left, Anh promised to keep in touch.

In Chapter 18, “London, December 30, 2009,” news reports spread regarding the discovery of Downing Street files. The files revealed Thatcher’s reluctance to welcome Vietnamese Refugees during the “Vietnamese refugee crisis” (95).

The more Jane researches the war and its aftermath, the more overwhelmed she feels. While she does not “want to write about death,” she feels haunted by the story of...