This novel tells the story of Nam, a high school boy growing up in Vietnam under a strict communist regime. With his father imprisoned in the A30 reeducation camp, Nam must take on responsibilities beyond his years, caring for his blind grandmother and younger sibling while enduring a life marked by hardship and uncertainty. At school, Nam finds comfort in his friendship with Phúc. However, tragedy soon upends Phúc's life when his mother, after a prolonged illness, takes her own life. His father's remarriage only deepens his suffering, as Phúc is neglected and emotionally abandoned by his stepmother, leaving him feeling alone and displaced. United by grief and a longing for something beyond their painful realities, Nam and Phúc make a bold choice: to run away and travel north in search of Nam's imprisoned father. Their journey is filled with danger, as they confront hunger, fear, and the ever-present threat of authority. Along the way, they encounter both harshness and unexpected kindness, forcing them to grow up far too quickly. What begins as an escape becomes a deeper journey toward identity, belonging, and hope. Through Nam's perspective, the novel explores resilience, friendship, loss, and the enduring human desire for freedom and dignity.
