The Best We Could Do is a graphic memoir by Thi Bui. She reflects upon the Vietnam War and her family’s resettlement in the United States, sharing her own personal experiences and those of her family. She uses narrative form and content choice to reframe the cultural figure of the refugee. Unlike most memoirs, Bui includes in her work many scenes of herself while working on The Best We Could Do, the very story we are consuming. Here is an example:
The 1951 UNHCR createdthe Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees document which includes that refugees are expected to tell their stories in the process of claiming asylum seeker status, highlighting the importance of narrative in making “refugeeness” legible. This emotional work is asked of refugees and is necessary in order for them to move forward.
(page 37)
Bui does similar work, as seen on page 182 when she says that “Lacking memory of my own, I do research,” “lots of research” (183). However, this work is governed by herself. When Bui documents her documenting, she draws the reader’s attention to her process as well as her agency in telling her own story.
(page 36)
Bui reminds us often that it is she herself that wants to, and needs to, piece together and understand her story, for her own benefit.
