Though Phùng Quán was a serious writer, this novel he wrote for teens. The reader is the owner of Cà Phê Cà Pháo. Her older daughter is in the 6th grade.

"You read Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, who wrote for young adults," I said. "Now it's Phùng Quán. This novel is also meant for young adults, for teenagers! Aren't you ashame?"

"But I'm a teenager!" she laughed. After several months, she made it to page 129. It's a start.