Song of the Buffalo Boy

Song of the Buffalo Boy is a young adult novel by American author Sherry Garland, first published in 1992 by HMH Books for Young Readers. Set primarily in 1989 Vietnam, it tells the story of 17-year-old Loi, whose mother is Vietnamese and unknown father is American, making her the object of ridicule and ostracization by others in her village. Serving as a sort of living reminder of the horrors of the Vietnam War, Loi experiences little love and affection until she meets Khai, a sensitive young buffalo tender. But when faced with the chance to go to America, Loi must decide between following her heart and unlocking the mystery of her past.

The novel opens in Da Nang, Vietnam, in 1973. Loi is a little girl being lifted into the air by a tall, laughing American solider. Two years later, Loi's mother, Ma, frantically scrambles around the rundown apartment mother and daughter share. With the world outside erupting into the chaos of war, Ma haphazardly packs a bag, grabs Loi, and enters the throng of people in the streets, pushing and cajoling to get out of town. The sounds of bombs and artillery fire get closer. A man approaches Ma and Loi on the streets, and he swings Loi up onto his shoulders. She is not sure whether he is the same American soldier from her first memory, but she does know that this man doesn't laugh like the soldier did. Loi calls this man Uncle, as she calls the many men in Ma's life; it is suggested that circumstances forced Ma to have sex with American soldiers for money in order to survive. Ma throws her only picture of the tall soldier into the gutter and vows to Loi that no one should ever see that image; unbeknownst to Ma, Loi picks up the photo and hides it. In order to escape town without the Viet Cong singling them out, Ma and Uncle cut Loi's hair, which, because of her Anglo parentage, is not as black or straight as other Vietnamese people's. Uncle presses a Vietnamese farmer's hat onto Loi's head and reminds her to never take it off so that she will blend in.

In 1982, Loi is nearly grown, but she still dreams of the American soldier. The songs of the buffalo herders accompany her daydreams. One of the herder's songs, in particular, have an impact. Khai sings of love so pure and true—indicative of the feelings he has for Loi, and she for him. Their relationship, if anyone found out about it, would be a scandal. Loi is an outcast in the village near Da Nang where they live. Her tall frame, large hands, and curly hair set her apart from the rest of the villagers; she is clearly Amerasian, and the villagers—including Khai's parents—see her as an unwelcome reminder of the past and the war that decimated the country. The perceived stain of having an "impure" child is also a burden to Ma, who barely gets by in trying to support herself and her daughter.



Then, Loi's world shatters and her love for Khai is put to the test when Ma sees a chance to redeem their lot in life. Ma promises Loi's hand in marriage to a cruel, domineering, older man named Officer Hiep, a known tyrant who helps run the village. When Loi learns of her engagement, she and Khai make plans to run away to Ho Chi Minh City. Before they do, however, Loi discovers a possible aid in their escape: She can apply to the Amerasian Homecoming Program. Because of her looks and the photo she saved of the tall American soldier, Loi stands a strong chance of acceptance into the program, which will bring her to the United States. She tells Ma about her intentions to apply for the program, but Ma is against it. Undeterred, Loi applies anyway, and she and Khai plan their escape and, hopefully, their subsequent trip to America.

But as Loi and Khai make their way to Ho Chi Minh City, they become separated. Loi arrives in the city alone, lost and afraid. A Vietnamese boy named Joe steals her bag, which contains her few belongings and her beloved photo. Loi tracks him down and ends up befriending Joe. He tries his hardest to act like an American as he too has hopes of someday making it to the United States. In the meantime, he introduces Loi to the city and helps her find her way around.

Loi applies for a visa as part of her plans to gain entry into the Amerasian Homecoming Program. But the process takes several weeks, and she must stay in Ho Chi Minh City. She learns that Khai ended up back in the village, but he still loves her and wants to find a way for them to be together.



Then, Loi receives a letter from Ma, in which she explains that the man in the photo—the man Loi has long assumed is her father—is not her father at all. He was simply a nice American soldier who had been kind to Ma.

In the end, Loi decides to stay in Vietnam. Her time in the city gives her a new perspective on her culture, the effects of the war, and her unwavering devotion to Khai. She is also allowed to finally marry Khai, whose parents eventually accept the idea of having her become part of the family.