Bronze Drum

Based on a true story, Bronze Drum tells the tale of two warrior sisters in ancient Vietnam fighting against the oppression of the Han Chinese regime. Trưng Trǎc, the elder sister, is solemn, filial, and driven to become a warrior, while the younger sister Trưng Nhi is carefree, arduous, and dreams of one day becoming a wife. Despite their differences, both sisters are forced to work together after tragedy strikes their household. Together, Trưng Trǎc and Trưng Nhi must lead the women of Vietnam to become a powerful army to fight against the Hans and liberate their people.

Through simple and swift prose, Nguyen highlights Vietnamese culture during this time, emphasizing the freedoms women once had that were overridden by the patriarchal oppression that invaded. More than just a tale of two very different sisters learning to work together, Bronze Drum is a beautiful historical narrative that will inspire and educate readers.