Chapters One and Two Summary and Analysis

Le Ly is a tiny infant weighing only two pounds at birth and her mother is told that the merciful thing to do would be to suffocate the baby. She refuses. At forty, Le Ly's mother is healthy and attractive, prompting envy from other women of the village of Ky La. Because of her age, she hasn't enough breast milk and feeds Le Ly on buffalo milk until she gains strength. Le Ly is often called Bay Ly, meaning sixth born, and she says she can't blame the rest of the family for not supporting her mother in her efforts to keep Le Ly alive. She says it is almost like the rest of the family doesn't want to become attached in case Le Ly dies.

Le Ly has sisters named Hai, Lan and Ba...