Bronze Drum

A “gripping historical adventure” of ancient Vietnam based on the true story of two warrior sisters who raised an army of women to overthrow the Han Chinese & rule as kings over a united people, for readers of Circe & The Night Tiger (Booklist).

Gather around, children of Chu Dien, & be brave.
For even to listen to the story of the Trung Sisters is,
in these troubled times, a dangerous act.

In 40 CE, in the Au Lac region of ancient Vietnam, two daughters of a Vietnamese Lord fill their days training, studying, & trying to stay true to Vietnamese traditions. While Trung Trac is disciplined & wise, always excelling in her duty, Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned with spending time in the gardens & with lovers.

But these sister's lives—& the lives of their people—are shadowed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They are forced to adopt Confucian teachings, secure marriages, and pay ever‑increasing taxes. As the peoples' frustration boils over, the country comes ever closer to the edge of war.

When Trung Trac and Trung Nhi's father is executed, their world comes crashing down around them. With no men to save them against the Han's encroaching regime, they must rise & unite the women of Vietnam into an army. Solidifying their status as champions of women & Vietnam, they usher in a period of freedom & independence for their people.

Vivid, lyrical, & filled with adventure, The Bronze Drum is a true story of standing up for one's people, culture, & country that has been passed down through generations of Vietnamese families through oral tradition. Phong Nguyen's breathtaking novel takes these real women out of legends & celebrates their loves, losses, & resilience in this inspirational story of women's strength & power even in the face of the greatest obstacles.

Phong Nguyen’s other novels:

Roundabout: An Improvisational Fiction

The Adventures of Joe Harper