Wave was reviewed in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Writer, Mascara, and also by authors including Alice Pung.
Covering death, suicide, self-harming, school shootings, earthquake and tsunamis, forbidden love, homosexuality, and family traditions. Overwhelmingly shocking, catching you unaware at times.
Pauline Csuba, The Australian Writer
Pham has written a creative and moving story using the particularity of two women to address the universal dangers we face in today’s world. Her writing is powerful, spare, and beautiful. Her sense of the psychology of her characters brings them into our reality. This is a fine book that I recommend wholeheartedly.
Me, You, and Books
Hoa Pham’s achievement is to have created something moving and evocative out of two tragic real-life events.
Alison Broinowski, The Sydney Morning Herald
There are no heroes or villains in this short novel. Wave’s message is both a fight for change, and a message of compassion and acceptance of an individuals choices, whatever they may be. External forces impact everyone’s lives and all anyone can be expected to do is make the best of the situation they find themselves in. Ultimately, we alone are responsible for our own happiness.
Joanne, Book Lover Book Reviews
Wave explores the alienation of being an international student in Australia with great pathos and depth, told with Hoa Pham’s characteristic compassion and lyricism.
Alice Pung