Nancy's Reviews > Those Opulent Days

Full cast audio recording told from several POVs. Although it’s a mystery on the surface, the story is more about the racial and class tension that existed in the 1920s in Vietnam (aka French Indochina, aka A Nam). I knew very little about this time and place in history, so I learned something, which is one of the things about historical fiction that appeals to me. Strong contrasts between the lives of employers and servants, rich and poor, French and Vietnamese. There are many trigger subjects including drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual abuse, murder (a lot of murders), violence against women, addiction, and hopelessness, so sensitive readers should be aware that the story is quite intense at times. Recommended for readers who want to learn about lesser known history, especially the darker side of historical fiction.