Rating: 
Summary: Insightful at times but not without problems
Review: As an American living and working in Vietnam I was quite interested to read Dana Sach's novel. For the most part, I found her observations of Vietnam to be both insightful and honest. Her honesty is apparant in the way that she acknowledges her early naievety in her dealings with the people of Vietnam. The story was particularly interesting to me because it reveals Vietnam through the eyes of a female expat. The novel is not without problems however. I found her chronology difficult to follow at times. Additionally, at one point she states that she spent the better part of a decade living in Vietnam, and trying to return to Vietnam; yet, it appears she only lived there for 2 years. That seems like a lot more "trying to return" than actually living there. Her obsession with the 'American War' in her reflections can also get a bit tedious at times. Overall, however, it is an interesting read with numerous insightful observations.
Rating:
Summary: Resident of Hanoi
Review: I couldn't put this book down! This is not a common occurrence with me. I quite often don't finish books that I start. The last one that I read until all hours of the night was "The Poisonwood Bible". Aside from Ms. Sach's wonderful writing style, her Prologue pulled me in and the story never me let go. How I wish I could have been there with her.
Rating: 
Summary: The House on Dream Street
Review: I couldn't put this book down! This is not a common occurrence with me. I quite often don't finish books that I start. The last one that I read until all hours of the night was "The Poisonwood Bible". Aside from Ms. Sach's wonderful writing style, her Prologue pulled me in and the story never me let go. How I wish I could have been there with her.
Rating:
Summary: Resident of Hanoi
Review: I live in Viet Nam and have for a very long time. Much that was written in the book was so true of experiences that I have felt and I thought the author was honest and true in her experiences. This city however and most of Viet Nam as is true of a great many places in Asia is a prostitute haven. I found it odd that on Dream Street she probably found the one and only non sexually experienced guy that exists! This threw me totally off balance and colored my view of experiences in the book. The all Vietnamese past time seems to be having love affairs and this has been going on for a very long time. Most of her friends were unhappy in their marriages which is the norm here. Viet Nam has one of the highest divorce rates in the world. Women are sought after, married, have babies and oftentimes quite abandoned after the search and catch stage. Most of my friends have wives, at least one steady girlfriend, frequent ladies of the night several times a month and spend the rest of the time drinking with their buddies and going to Karoke where the girls huddle close and sing with them. I think that her feeling that she was this guys first love is tender but HIGHLY unlikely. The rest of the book was a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Inside View of Life in Viet Nam
Review: I loved "The House on Dream Street." Dana Sachs has given us a delightful inside view of life in a Vietnamese neighborhood. Her immersion into their culture and the way she has related it makes for a most endearing and interesting story.
Rating:
Summary: A great book to read, especially after you've been there!
Review: I was 11 when I went to Vietnam in 1999 with my family. We lived in Nha Trang, so life was different than where "Duyen" was, but I recognized a lot of similarities between the culture in Hanoi and southern beach city Nha Trang. I enjoyed her portrayal of the people and the land. It makes me wish I had gotten more out of my experience there. Well, if you want to just read a good book (maybe late teens on up, some was a bit "old" for me) try this one out. I thought it was great, and really captured the spirit of Vietnam and its people.
Rating:
Summary: Honest writing
Review: I was struck by the straightforward style of the book. It all came across as true. I was surprised that the author was willing to reveal as much about her life as she apparently did.
Rating:
Summary: A Remarkable and Unique Story
Review: It has been a long time since I picked up a book and could not put it down, except to eat and sleep, until it was finished. This is a beautifully written courageous memoir,and the story is totally fascinating. The author immerses herself in the life of Vietnam in ways she might not have planned and finds that in profound ways Vietnam enters and remains in her life. This is a remarkable and illuminating book.
Rating:
Summary: An American Encounters Vietnam
Review: The House on Dream Street is the story of Dana Sach's sojourn in Vietnam; as she explores day to day life in Hanoi. As she becomes intimately involved in the activities and lives of her circle of acquaintances - her landlords and their extended families, neighbors and the street cafes on Dream Street (where she lives), and ultimately her lover, she beings to see beneath the surface and to discover Vietnam as it is, rather than as she expected. Readers will enjoy this personal account of life in Vietnam. She has a gift for recounting each conversation verbatim, so that the account of her time flows swiftly as you read. Interspersed with the dialogue are her thoughtful comments on Vietnamese life and her personal reactions to events.
Rating:
Summary: Mind-blowingly good!
Review: This book is a moving and real account of one woman's travel journey in Vietnam. But, it could be anywhere. The respect and heart she has for where she is is wonderful. It's a quick and moving read.
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