Despair

By: Ge Xiong

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Paperback | 24 June 2026

At a Glance

Paperback
328 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 1.85

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$28.59

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In Despair, Ge Xiong chronicles the turbulent journey of Hmong refugees who resettled in America after the Vietnam War, where factory jobs became their fragile lifelines amid economic instability. From the collapse of Illinois' once-thriving Hmong community to his move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Xiong exposes the harsh realities of racial segregation, poverty, and systemic barriers that shaped refugee lives and limited their choices.

The narrative follows the community's pursuit of the American dream through poultry farming across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, an ambition often met with devastating financial loss. Blending personal experience with social observation, Xiong also examines the cultural shifts within Hmong American identity in the age of social media, ultimately questioning whether deeper human connection and collective awareness can emerge beyond division and digital echo chambers.

Industry Reviews

"Depair is a poignant reminder to readers of the consequences of war and home life. Ge Xiong details his and his wife's struggles and triumphs, and the people who helped them after they came to the United States as refugees. However, this isn't just a story about Ge's family life, but also about the many he helped. It's a story about Hmong people and how they adapted to this new country, presented through an authentic lens. Always thought-provoking, and at times enraging, Despair is a book you will not be able to put down until the last page has been read."

-Bethany Lacy

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